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The blog gives security guidance to parents.

Take a look at our 6 top tips to keep yourself safe online…

Update your phone / tablet OS regularly

One of the simplest, yet most effective ways to keep your devices secure against threats is to make sure you update the operating system regularly, whether you are on IOS or Android. Cyber criminals rely on and specifically target people who do not update their software, especially as these updates contain security patches to vulnerabilities. For ease of use, you can set updates to install overnight if required.

Never reveal your password

Cyber criminals have a lot of tricks up their sleeves in trying to part people with their usernames and passwords. This could be anything from advanced ‘phishing’ emails, who send dodgy emails trying to get you to sign in, to simply looking over your shoulder and looking at what you type in! Always keep your usernames and passwords secure and if you think it has been compromised, change it immediately.

Install anti-virus solutions and keep them updated

If a virus or malware enters your phone / device, an anti-virus solution can be the last line of defence between your data and cyber criminals. Employing an effective anti-virus solution can stop malware and viruses from running at will. As criminals bring out new and advanced threats, a regularly updated anti-virus is essential in keeping them at bay.

Use trusted applications only

Although Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store do a decent job in filtering out dodgy applications, they are by no means perfect. Keep an eye out for malicious looking applications when installing new applications by checking reviews and reading what permissions they require. Avoid third party, un-trusted applications as they sometimes have some very sneaky behaviour hard-coded in!

Use secure connections when accessing the internet

When connecting to Wi-Fi networks, be wary of public Wi-Fi networks. Although they are free, they are generally ripe for abuse. Some cyber criminals also set up their own Wi-Fi points which can be used to get copies of all data sent between your device and the internet. A good rule of thumb is to ensure the Wi-Fi has a password to access, as they will most likely be closely controlled.

Use a secure lock screen

Without a lock screen, anyone can access all your phone contents and can cause serious damage if lost or stolen (think mobile banking / fraud).

Set up a password of at least 6 digits for a good compromise of security and ease of use – avoid using face lock as these can be often bypassed. For advanced users, you can set up software on your device which allows you to remotely wipe your device or notify you of its location (handy if you ever misplace your device!)

Want to share this information with others?

You can download a pdf with our top tips for parents here: