Online Safety Tips from BT

Top Tips with Tania

Bringing you tech tips from BT Skills for Tomorrow

Online Safety

October is cyber awareness month, so we’re looking at how you can keep yourself and your family safe online.

We’ll start with a quick test - do you know the difference between phishing, vishing and smishing?

Complete this simple activity to see if you know the different types of scams – then check out the defi nitions below.

Often it’s those least confi dent with the internet that get caught out.

Take some time to explain to friends, family or vulnerable neighbours the differences between these types of scams and how to spot them.

Phishing Scammers may try to trick you by sending an email, sometimes containing a dodgy link they encourage you to ‘click’ on. They will try and gain your personal information or encourage you to transfer money. They may pretend to be from companies you recognise.

Smishing Scammers may try to trick you by sending a text (SMS), instant message or a link for you to click on. The scammer will try and gain your personal information or encourage you to transfer money.

Vishing Scammers may try and reach you over the phone, maybe even using a recorded voice, called a ‘bot’. They will try and get your personal information or encourage you to transfer money. They may pretend to be from companies you recognise.

Here’s some tips for spotting a scam

Out of the blue

Watch out for unexpected calls, messages or emails, as they could be from scammers. They often pretend to be from a company or business you are familiar with. It’s very unusual for a genuine organisation or business to contact you and ask for your personal information or bank details if you’re not expecting them to.

Under pressure

Scammers will try to trick you into making quick decisions or act urgently - it doesn’t give you time to think about checking their message or thinking twice that they may steal your personal information or bank details. Be aware - they might set a time limit for you to take action or you will miss out on a great offer. Or if you don’t act fast, something bad will happen with your internet, the police or HMRC.

Too good to be true

Scammers may use the temptation of a prize or cash to get you to communicate with them over text, email or even a phone call. They might want you to ‘click’ a link or give away personal information or your bank details. Be aware - if something seems to good to be true, it usually is!

Untrusted source

Almost all phishing attempts will claim to be from a trusted source, or pretend to be from someone you know, like a friend, company or government agency. If they are asking you to give away personal information or bank details you should be very suspicious. Be aware - try contacting them in a different way. Maybe call them from a number on their secure website, or send them a personal email or message if it looks like it’s from someone you know

An ask

If you are at all suspicious you should contact the organisation in a different way, maybe call a number on their secure website, or send a message if its someone you know. Be aware and ignore or delete emails that ask for your bank details or personal information. If the request is genuine, the organisation or person will get in touch with you in another way

For loads more useful free courses and advice to keep you and your family safe – check out BT Skills for Tomorrow

Tania Young leads on BT’s Digital Skills programme for older and vulnerable customers.