How to protect yourself online

STAY SAFE ONLINE

Exercise caution when using computers in public places

As you cannot be certain about the security of a computer in a public place such as a library or Internet café, you should be careful if you have to use such a machine. If you’ve any reason to be suspicious about a public computer you should not use it to access services such as Internet banking.

You should never change your security details such as your password on a publicly accessible computer (e.g. in an Internet café). If you do use a public computer to access Internet banking you should look out for anyone who could be watching you.

For more advice and a step by step guide to staying safe online visit www.banksafeonline.org.uk a website launched by APACS, the UK payment association working on behalf of the banking industry.

Log out properly when you've finished with a secure site

Never leave your computer unattended when logged in to a secure session such as when you’re using Internet banking. Ensure you log out properly when you’ve finished banking online or using another secure site.

Keep hold of your cash

Don’t be conned by convincing e-mails offering you the chance to make some easy money. If it looks to good to be true, it probably is. Be especially wary of unsolicited e-mails from outside the UK - it will be much harder to prove they are who they say they are.

Check the security of e-Commerce sites.

Be aware that spoof (fake or fraudulent) sites do exist. Never go to the Birmingham Midshires website via a link in an e-mail, only ever visit the Birmingham Midshires website by typing the address www.askbm.co.uk into your browser.

Secure website addresses usually start with the letters https: and display a padlock icon in the bottom section of your Internet browser.While these are good indicators that you are visiting a genuine site there have been cases where criminals have been able to recreate these features on their spoof sites.

As a result, it can be risky to rely entirely on the padlock icon. If you double click the icon a box will appear which contains details of the site owners and helps you to establish whether it is genuine.

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Bank Safe Online

For more advice and a step by step guide to staying safe online visit www.banksafeonline.org.uk a website launched by APACS the UK payment association working on behalf of the banking industry.

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