• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Wednesday January 15 2014

New police campaign urges businesses to be ‘cyber streetwise’

Wiltshire Police are urging businesses to get cyber streetwise this January.

The Wiltshire Police campaign is part of a government-led initiative to Be Cyber Streetwise, which encourages businesses and individuals to adopt safer behaviours online to help them avoid becoming a victim of cyber criminals.

The campaign aims to promote online safety and provide you and/or your business with the skills and knowledge needed to take control of your cyber security.

A new website, www.cyberstreetwise.com, offers a range of interactive resources and provides you with clear advice on the essentials for enjoying a safe experience online.

According to a Government survey, while 94 percent of people believe it is their personal responsibility to ensure a safe internet experience, the research highlighted:

• Only 44 percent always install internet security software on new equipment
• Only 37 percent download updates and patches for personal computers when prompted – falling even further to a fifth (21%) for smartphones and mobile devices
• Less than a third (30 percent) habitually use complex passwords to protect online accounts
• 57 percent do not always check websites are secure before making a purchase

Detective Sergeant Jon Lee, Head of Complex Fraud at Wiltshire Police, said: “Cyber crime is very much a hidden crime – it’s hard to know the true scale of the problem.

“This isn’t just a crime that affects people in Wiltshire or in the UK; it’s a global problem.

“For the victims of cyber crime, it can be an extremely traumatic and often embarrassing experience.

“Some people choose not to report the crime for these reasons but I would always urge anyone who feels they are a victim or potential victim of cyber crime, in any form, to contact Action Fraud via www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

“The introduction of this Cyber Streetwise campaign shows the Government’s intent to positively tackle cyber crime and I would ask businesses to heed the information offered to ensure we remain as savvy and vigilant as possible when using any online outlet.”

There are five actions you can take in order to protect yourself, and others, from cyber crime:

• Use strong, memorable passwords
• Install anti-virus software on new devices
• Check privacy settings on social media
• Shop safely online and always ensure online retail sites are secure
• Download software and application patches when prompted