It’s almost time for the annual tradition of pumpkin carving, trick or treat and spooky costumes but there are scary cyber-goblins lurking round every corner all year round and they’re just waiting to trick you out of your precious data and personal information.

Cybercrime is an ever-increasing problem, affecting individuals and businesses alike. No one is safe from the would-be tricksters.

But before you run for the hills screaming there are a few things you can do to help prevent them from getting their claws into your precious data:

Beware of Phishing Scams
Don’t know the sender of an email you just received? Do not open any links and delta the message.
Similarly, if you receive a text about a delivery for an order you never made then proceed with caution. Check Royal Mail for any scams they’re currently aware of and do not click aunty links unless you are sure about the origin of the text.

Never use public Wi-Fi to access personal or financial information
It seems like an obvious one but always ensure you’re using a secure connection whenever you’re accessing personal data.

Update your security software
Yes, we know we say this all the time but honestly it needs repeating! This goes for all your devices.

Change your passwords
Another obvious one but many of us are guilty of reusing the same passwords for multiple online accounts or using easy to guess passwords and PINs. Consider using a password manager to help keep track of all your passwords and important information- check out PPC Mag’s comprehensive list here.

Turn off GPS, Bluetooth and other tracking apps when you’re not using them
Would-be hackers can use these features to track your location and access other information so only turn them on when you need them.

Keep an eye on your accounts
If you see any unusual charges on your bank or credit card accounts report them immediately.

• Backup your data
• Only download apps from trustworthy sources (Google Play Store/Apple’s App Store)

If you do fall victim to a phishing scam or malware attack, make sure you contact your bank and get any compromised accounts frozen or cancelled. 
 
Contact us if you need any further help checking your devices are safe to use or advice about keeping your devices safe this Halloween and beyond.

With the lifting of restrictions and the possibility of sun, many of us have and will be taking a well earned break. But what do you do with all your devices while you’re away from home?

Some of them like our smartphones and tablets come along with us (can’t possibly stay away from Insta for a week) while laptops, PC’s etc will most likely be staying put.

Home insurance and/or travel insurance will cover most cases of theft or accidental damage (be sure to check your policy) but it's still a good practice to take a few simple steps to make sure your devices are as safe as they can be.
 
File Genie have put a handy list together to help you get prepared before you set off on holiday:

• Backup your devices! It’s so simple and it should be something you do regularly anyway but let's be honest, it’s easy to forget. Make it a priority to get everything backed up before you leave. Accidents happen and it’s easy to lose all your important data with just the slip of a hand. Don't just back up to the cloud, consider having a backup to a separate hard drive.
• Update your software Again, a simple task that’s easily forgotten but can make a huge difference if anything goes wrong. Making sure you have up-to-date security software is paramount!
• Secure your devices Use a PIN, pattern lock or biometric authentication. Best practice would be to use a combination of biometric authentication and password/PIN. Don’t forget to add security authentication to your laptops and PC’s and please think carefully about any passwords you are using (check out this article on common password mistakes)
• Be wary of which WiFi you connect to. It's tempting to connect to any free WiFi when you’re away and save using up your valuable data allowance but really think carefully before connecting to unsecured public wifi. There’s a huge risk that your devices could be hacked, sensitive data stolen or get infected with malware.
• Be careful what you share on social media You might think you’re just making your friends envious with your beach photos but if you make it public you’re away from home any thieves will be able to take advantage of your absence. Now is a great time to check who sees your posts and consider making it private to friends only so you know only those you trust can see where you are. Check out this great list from Nottinghamshire police on what steps you should take to help deter any would be thieves.

If you follow these steps you can enjoy your holiday knowing your devices are as safe as they can be. Enjoy your holiday or mini break away!
 
We are here for full advice and support whether updating your software and backing up your devices or if you think your device is not operating correctly. Get in touch and find out more about our Health Check.

Cyber fraud is a growing problem that we’re all well aware of. Scam emails and texts are increasingly common with more and more of us being targeted by fraudsters. The Covid 19 pandemic has seen an increase in these types of cyber crimes, last month the BBC reported that £34.5 million had been stolen in pandemic scams with more than 6000 cases of covid-related fraud and cyber crime being recorded throughout the pandemic.
 
Two recent scams reported in the media are the Amazon Parcel Delivery and Royal Mail Parcel returned to depot. Typical of phishing scams, the email or text has a link which takes you to a scam site where you are asked for personal details and/or payment. Many people have been caught out by these scams because at first glance they do appear to be from the companies they’re claiming to be. Across social media people are sharing their stories of how they have fallen victim to scams such as the ‘missed delivery’ text.

If you receive a suspicious text or email:

• Do not click the link unless you are sure or the origin of the text.
• Check Royal Mail for recent scams here
• Royal Mail will always leave a card if you miss an attempted delivery
• Report suspicious messages to Action Fraud
• Which have some great tips for spotting scam texts and emails

 
What to do if you fall victim to a phishing scam:

• Contact your bank as soon as you realise.
• Get your devices checked over by a professional.
• File Genie can identify viruses and malware and get your devices cleaned, safe and up and running for you.

 
Keep your devices safe:

• Make sure you install and update anti virus software - don’t forget your smartphone and tablets!
• Make sure your antivirus is turned on - sounds obvious but it’s easily forgotten about
• Ensure your operating system is up to date
• Suspicious email or text? Delete it! If it’s important the sender will find another way to contact you.

 
For more information about how you can protect your computers and devices and keep them running smoothly, contact File Genie.