Get Safe Online and Rough Guides have published a wide-ranging and user friendly guide on how to enjoy the Internet whilst staying safe from online threats.

by Rune H. Rasmussen

Get Safe Online, in cooperation with the computer and travel publishers Rough Guides, and in partnership with the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers and the Association of Chief Police Officers, recently published a new “Rough Guide to Online Safety”. The guide, which is available for free, outlines the main online security issues and offers a large variety of protective measures that can be taken at home, as well as in small businesses.

Digital security
According to Get Safe Online, more than a thousand new computer viruses emerge every month. If you don’t take the proper precautions and make sure your computer have a working firewall and updated virus protection, there is a large risk of getting the computer infected, or, that you become the victim of an online scam or a privacy violation.

With Christmas shopping coming up, and the corresponding massive increase in online transactions, cyber criminals will take advantage and swindle consumers out of millions of pounds.

The Rough Guide to Online Safety is designed specifically for those who would like to increase their knowledge of online security and users in need of a hard-copy reference on digital safety. The guide outlines a variety of ways to protect your computer, what scams and schemes to be on the lookout for, and what to do when security fails. The report also includes focus areas on social networking, online shopping and issues connected to mobile phones and other devices. 

“An incredibly useful resource”
James Brokenshire MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime and Security, said:
“This Government takes Internet crime seriously and is working hard with businesses and the law enforcement community to keep people safe when they surf the web.  The ‘Rough Guide to Online Safety’ is an incredibly useful resource and I urge people to download it before they start their online Christmas shopping”

“The government and independent organisations maintain online security as a high priority and as evidenced through this collaboration we aim to inform and empower users, which we hope they use to stay smart on the latest security threats and protect themselves,” added Stuart Hyde, Deputy Chief Constable  Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

“Typically, online criminals are in search of financial details or personal information, and usually they access this information unbeknownst to the user. However, just because there are security concerns when you go online doesn’t mean you need to shut off and limit your computer usage: there are a few key ways – like installing security software and creating complex passwords – that can keep you protected online,” said Tony Neate, managing director of GetSafeOnline.org. 

About Get Safe Online
Get Safe Online is a joint initiative between the Government, law enforcement, leading businesses and the public sector. Their aim is to provide free, independent, user-friendly advice that helps computer users and small businesses stay safe online.

Download:
Rough Guide to Online Safety (1,930KB, PDF)

Sources:

Get Safe Online

Get Safe Online Press Release
Get Safe Online Rough Guide to Online Safety Launched