Business Owners
Now is a good time to check that your PBX passwords are strong and up to date.
Also don’t forget to set your out of hours calling capability during any periods of office closure
In the run up to Christmas and the busy shopping days thereafter millions of people will go online to shop. Whether it’s to buy presents for family and friends or to snag a bargain in the sales it’s one of the busiest periods for online shopping. And just like when venturing out into town there are some simple tips to follow that can help you stay safe.
Online Safety Tips from Essex Telephone Systems
- If you’re shopping online make sure you are using the official website for that particular brand. One way to make sure is to use a search engine and search for that brand by name and click the link. Many fraudsters will target misspellings of popular brands.
- Never send money for goods via money transfers. Use a credit card and do not send money in advance of a purchase, for example to secure a price.
- Check that your antivirus software is up to date and that it is set up to flag any suspicious sites.
- Online cards are personalised and very humorous, but make sure that you know who they’re from and be cautious of malware or viruses hidden within email greetings cards.
- When using sites like eBay or Gumtree be wary of offers that are too good to be true. Whilst most items on sale are legitimate there is an increased risk of accidentally buying counterfeit or even stolen goods. Always use the recommended method of payments and carry out some research on sellers before placing bids. Be suspicious “second chance” offers.
- If for any reason you think that you have been compromised contact your bank and change passwords and usernames.
- If booking tickets via websites always use reputable websites and make sure that they are secure (secure sites show a padlock in the address bar of your browser and will start with https:// rather than http://)
Keep your personal and financial information safe. - Mobile devices are now a favourite target of fraudsters. So only download apps from the official stores (for example Google Play and Apple Store) and be careful when downloading ringtones. Use the review system to do research, and try to find out information about the app develop by visiting their websites.
- Download and use antivirus software for mobile phones and tablets and keep it up to date.
- Never send money in advance to obtain credit or a loan, processing fees on lottery or prize winnings.
- Be wary of how much personal information you provide on social media accounts, keep your date of birth and home address secret.
- When online think about who you are giving money to, or providing personal information to. Most websites are legitimate and there are some great deals to be done, but always be just a little suspicious of everything and you should be sate.
Some free resources to help you stay safe online:
- Streetwise for advice on free malware removal tools.
- National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre
- Citizens Advice consumer advice.
