Thankfully, it’s not rocket science. There’s plenty of support and information out there you can lean on to stay protected. To make your life easier, we’ve pulled most of it together onto this page.
Key takeaways:
Let’s start with the basics. A strong password is your first line of defence. Aim for at least 12 characters, and mix things up – letters, numbers, symbols, the lot. Most devices now automatically suggest ultra-secure passwords for you, and store them safely, so you don’t have to remember them.
Make sure your home’s Wi-Fi network has a password. And only share it with people you know and trust. You wouldn’t walk around waving your bank card’s PIN number around. It’s also good practice to change it regularly.
Scam emails, texts and messages are everywhere, but so are the warning signs. If something lands unexpectedly, pause. Check links, email addresses and phone numbers closely. Not sure? Search it. Plenty of scam-check sites can tell you if others have flagged it already.
Scammers rely on catching you off guard. Watch out for messages that feel urgent or pushy. Requests for personal or financial information. Emails or websites with typos or odd formatting. Texts that say “Hi, new number” and ask you to contact them immediately. If something feels off, trust your gut.
If you’re not sure, there’s no harm in ignoring it. You can always directly reach out to trusted institutions like your bank, local council or HMRC – and they’ll never ask you for your password or personal information.
A few seconds can save a lot of hassle. You’re not alone in being targeted, scammers target thousands every day, and a quick online search can reveal whether a message is part of a known phishing scam or spam campaign.
Scammers are getting smarter, but you don’t need to be an expert to spot them. Once you know the common tactics used in phishing, fraud, and identity theft, you’re less likely to fall for them. Scam messages often use one or more of the tactics below.
Using the same password everywhere might feel easy, but it’s a goldmine for cybercriminals. Strengthen your online security with these simple steps.
Short and predictable? Easy to crack. Long and random? Much tougher. Upgrade your passwords and make them work harder for you.
One password to remember, hundreds protected. Password managers generate strong passwords and store them securely, so you don’t have to.
TalkTalk’s broadband plans come with built-in HomeSafe security. No software installation is needed: it works quietly in the background from the moment you're connected.
Keeping you safe online is our number one priority. That's why all our broadband plans come with useful security features.
