It can be extremely easy to fall victim to cybercriminals on the internet – however up-to-speed with the latest technology you are.

Crooks behind web scams have become increasingly clever and sophisticated in the ways they try to catch you out in a bid to steal your passwords and personal information.

These include:

• Fake emails that look like they are from your bank
• Rogue website links promising celebrity gossip
• Messages purporting to be from friends and family
• Posts on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook

Think first

While it would be impossible to list every single way you could be caught out, there are some simple things you can do to help protect yourself.

Here are some quick and useful tips to start you off.

Each relates to a specific topic that we examine further in a separate article. Just click the links to read more.

• Memorise It – Never write down your passwords or use the same one on different sites.
• Think About It – Take a second to consider things before you click on a web link. If the offer it is promising to take you to sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
• Don’t Answer It – Never reply to spam emails asking them to remove you from their address lists. All this does is tell the people behind it that your email address is active and will lead to even more spam.
• Don’t Reveal It - Never post personal information on social networks such as your phone number, date of birth or mother’s maiden and pets’ names. These are often the answer to common security questions asked by the likes of your bank.
• Junk It – Turn on the message filters provided by the company behind your email to remove fake and spam messages automatically.
• Secure It – Look for the signs that shows a website is secure such as it starting with https:// and the padlock symbol.
• Update It – Ensure you select automatic updates for your computer’s operating system. This downloads and installs any fixes for security issues in the software that makes your computer work.
• Credit It – Don’t let your children use your credit card online without you being present – or know the passwords to shopping or music download accounts that have the credit card number set as the default payment option.
• Watch For It – If you think any of your email, social network or online accounts has been compromised, change the password immediately. Watch out for any email alerts you may receive showing someone else has tried to change your password using the answers to your reset security questions. Do not write down these answers anywhere.

• Security Centre
• HomeSafe
• Parents Guide
  
  • Zip it, Block it, Flag it
  • Keeping your under 10's safe online
  • Keeping your over 10's safe online
  • Online gaming
  • IM, chat and social networks
  • Cyber bullying
  • Sexting
• Protect yourself
  
  • ID theft
  • Email, dos and don'ts
• Protect your things
  
  • Viruses and spyware
  • Backup safely