Is banking online really safe?i hesitate...
Kate Garroway-Care at home costs
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SubscribeThis week we are running a Q&A on cyber security with National Fraud Authority and Dr Sue Black. If you have a question about cyber security in your home, what you can do to ensure you and your family are 'Cyber Streetwise', or a question pertaining to a specific aspect of using the internet safely then Sue will be happy to help.
Sue is currently working with the Home Office and National Fraud Authority on the government's 'Cyber Streetwise' campaign which aims to change the way people protect themselves while online, in order to avoid falling victim to cyber criminals.
Psychology and tech experts tell us that people don't always pay as much attention while online as they do when in the 'real world'. For example, you wouldn't leave your handbag open while shopping, so you should also be careful when entering your credit card details online. The speed of technology means we often forget the simple things we can do ensure we are secure online.
Sue is an award-winning computer scientist and radical thinker, who brings people together to solve complex issues. She's a senior research associate in the Department of Computer Science at University College London, who is a champion for women in computing and recently launched Savvify, a social enterprise which aims to empower people through technology. Savvify is currently running #techmums a program to get mums tech savvy.
Post your questions to Sue by Friday 14 February.
Is banking online really safe?i hesitate...
I have several bank accounts. I'm reluctant to go online as I read so much about fraud. Just the last few days Barclays has messed up.I'm a customer and could easily have been one whose details had been sold. I've just had an email purporting to be Natwest. There should be a central well known email address that all these fake emails could be forwarded to (and sorted by them)instead o f having to report to separate banks.
Reluctantly I bought many more Christmas gifts online last year than I have ever done, some from sites and companies I had never heard of or had any knowledge of and a couple of times not in this country.
Yet I, not without some trepidation, sent them my bank card details. How safe is this generally and is there any way of checking up on a company's online security?
All the gifts arrived safely.
Whats the one most unsafe thing that people do on a regular basis? i know i often fail to log out odf online banking but is there anyhting else i might be doing unwittingly that is actually quite a bad idea?
i refuse to start internet banking as I can't remember so many passwords and have to write them down. can't think of anything more unstreetwise than that!
Hello. Are Macs 'safe' from viruses? When I use to have a Windows I'd install Norton Antivirus and whatnot, but I've been told it's not necessary for Macs?
How are we expected to have complex passwords which are different for EVERYTHING we use, and to remember them all?! I know you can buy software to save your passwords etc instead of writing them down, how reliable are they? Are they safe?
For years now, I've paid for virus detecting programmes like Mcaffee and norton anti virus, but recently my son said i should stop my subscription and download a free one from the internet. Are these safe? I'm all for saving money but not if it's going to cost me more in computer repairs further along. THank you.
I use twitter (not very well, I must admit) and the other day I noticed I had somehow sent a message with a link in to all of the people I "follow". I assumed it was a scam since I wouldn't even have any idea how to do that, if I wanted to. How can I stop it happening again? I was very embarrassed!
what's the worst thing that could happen to you through online scams/security breaches I'm not sure i really have auy concept of how bad it could get
I'm interestesd to know as i once had money stolen form my account (not sure that was online actually) and had it returned within a week or two, heard nothing more about it. i was angry at the b****r who had taken it though...
I have an IPad which I use all the time
Apple assure me it cannot be compromised. Lately I have had emails from people and I have recognised them as being "strange ". I do not down load these and alerted t he sender they may have been hacked. What the best
way of dealing with this problem.?
Where is the best place to keep your passwords. I must have hundreds. I do all my banking online, online shopping, email accounts, Gransnet obviously, mobile phone account, iTunes, social media etc etc etc. But the annoying thing is that many of them don't allow you to use the same format so you have a slightly different pword for many of them. So I forget. Often. And then it's a pain setting them up again.
I know there are apps where you can apparently store all your pwords for safekeeping but are these safe? Also, what should happen if I were to drop down dead tomorrow - who would know how/where to access all my account details? It's very worrying actually...
I have the same problem about remembering passwords. My friend uses a little index book to write them down in and I tried to buy one but they do not have them in Paperchase or WHSmith.
I don't have phone, tablet etc. Any suggestions for the memory challenged?
While I was sleeping soundly, my mini-ipad sent a message to some of my contacts (I use yahoo.co.uk), causing confusion and annoyance to them. As suggested by a knowing friend, I have changed my password, and am still using the same account. Should I do anything else to prevent this happening again?
( I don't really understand whether it was yahoo.co.uk who got hacked, or me.....)
damson
For years now, I've paid for virus detecting programmes like Mcaffee and norton anti virus, but recently my son said i should stop my subscription and download a free one from the internet. Are these safe? I'm all for saving money but not if it's going to cost me more in computer repairs further along. THank you.
Most free anti-virus software is very good, all of the packages on offer gives you the ability to detect, block and remove viruses and malware either manually or running automatically in the background.. Where the paid-for services differ is generally in the level of support you get – depending what you pay for you can get online support, firewalls functionality and child controls bundled in too.
Hearmeroar
How are we expected to have complex passwords which are different for EVERYTHING we use, and to remember them all?! I know you can buy software to save your passwords etc instead of writing them down, how reliable are they? Are they safe?
The Cyber Streetwise website has some easy to use tips on creating memorable but secure passwords - https://www.cyberstreetwise.com/#!/passwords/
applepie
Hello. Are Macs 'safe' from viruses? When I use to have a Windows I'd install Norton Antivirus and whatnot, but I've been told it's not necessary for Macs?
It used to be the case that Macs were relatively safe from viruses, on account of the fact that they made up such a tiny proportion of all online computers – and therefore it was a waste of time creating viruses for them. The latest version of OSX (the Mac operating system) has very tight controls in place by default that help keep you safe when you do things like download and install software. You can download and install free anti-virus software for the Mac from Sophos directly from their website www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-edition.aspx
pipparj
Whats the one most unsafe thing that people do on a regular basis? i know i often fail to log out odf online banking but is there anyhting else i might be doing unwittingly that is actually quite a bad idea?
The number one thing worth checking and spending some time on is your passwords. Too many people use a password that isn’t strong enough, and re-use that password across multiple websites. I can’t stress enough how important it is to create strong passwords and use a different password for every website or service you use. Have a look at the Cyber Streetwise website for a few pointers https://www.cyberstreetwise.com/#!/passwords
DavidH22
Reluctantly I bought many more Christmas gifts online last year than I have ever done, some from sites and companies I had never heard of or had any knowledge of and a couple of times not in this country.
Yet I, not without some trepidation, sent them my bank card details. How safe is this generally and is there any way of checking up on a company's online security?
All the gifts arrived safely.
You’re right, it is hard to tell sometimes whether an online retailer is reputable and safe, or not. The Cyber Streetwise website includes some very sound advice on shopping online https://www.cyberstreetwise.com/#!/online-shopping.
Yofab
Is banking online really safe?i hesitate...
Nothing you do online can ever be claimed to be 100% secure. However, online banks are amongst the most secure organisations on the web. I’d thoroughly recommend having a read of the advice about online banking on the Cyber Streetwise website, which gives some very useful advice on ensuring you’re as secure as you can be when banking online: https://www.cyberstreetwise.com/#!/banking
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