let's be safe this internet safety day!

Today is Internet safety day. Keep yourself safe online with these top tips:

·  Use a strong password – three random words together as password makes it difficult to crack. Change passwords for key online accounts frequently. Do not tell anyone your password, change it if you think someone knows it.

·  Use different passwords for different accounts to ensure you are not vulnerable to identity theft.

·  Update apps to ensure the latest vital security updates to help protect your devices

·  Check security/ privacy settings for social media accounts regularly. 

·  Using a password manager can help you create and remember passwords. 

·  Back up your data such as photos and key documents to an external hard drive or cloud-based storage system. 

·  Only upload photos you’d be happy to show to a stranger, your mum or a future employer You never know where it might end up! 

·  Check what sites your child is accessing and ensure the privacy settings are set private. Parental controls on devices can help make sure they are safe online. 

·  Do not use public wifi to send or receive private or sensitive information such as accessing bank accounts, a criminal could intercept the information. 

·  If a website is secure it will start with https:// amd/or have a padlock in the tool bar. 

Social Media is a minefield at times. Please ensure you regularly check privacy settings as these change on a regular basis. 

Children and young people are drawn to use social media but are they old enough? Here are the legal ages. 

 Later this month I will be talking to all children attending Cayton primary school about how to keep themselves safe online. 

If you need some help with technology you can access support from North Yorkshire libraries. An opportunity to access support with technology in a relaxed, safe and supportive environment. 

Useful links: 

www.getsafeonline.org

www.ceop.police.uk      (The Child exploitation and Online Protection Centre)

www.reportfraud.police.uk     (to report a crime to report fraud: 03001232040)

to report a crime to police:

in emergency: 999    non emergency: 101