Summary of a post.
How to stay safe online in 2018
As the world's dependence on technology escalates, so too do the twin threats of fraud and cybercrime. And Brits, in particular, seem to be affected, especially so by the latter.
A study released this week by cybersecurity firm Norton revealed that cybercrime – including phishing, ransomware, online fraud and hacking - accounted for over £130bn in losses for consumers in 2017; with Britain's share amounting to a staggering £4.6bn, and around 17 million of the victims hailing from these shores.
To put that into context, Britain accounts for less than 1 percent of the world's population, yet more than 2 percent of those who fell foul to cybercrime last year were British, while the figure of £4.6bn means that nearly 4 percent of total losses were from our pockets.
This study was publicised in the same week as some alarming comments from the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre, who believe it is a case of 'when', rather than 'if', that the UK is hit by a major cyber-attack. In fact, they posit that we’ll be lucky to see out the decade without major disruption to things such as online infrastructure, big companies or an election.
Ignorance is not bliss
While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why Brits seem to fare worse than the global average, it is becoming clear that attitudes, and an apparent indifference to protecting against such evils, are not helping the cause. Given that the Norton research found the overwhelming majority of cybercrime to come in the form of low-tech opportunism, such as coaxing passwords and sensitive information out of people, it is astonishing that a separate campaign (a so-called 'Too Smart to be Scammed' quiz, pioneered by the Take Five initiative) found that just 9 percent of the near-63,000 Brits surveyed could distinguish between fraudulent and genuine texts or emails. This despite nearly 80 percent of them originally claiming that they could easily do so beforehand.
Little wonder then that Cifas records revealed there were nearly 90,000 cases of identity theft reported in H1 of 2017 alone.
How can I stay safe?
While scaremongering shouldn't be the order of the day, the numbers clearly underscore the severity of these dangers, and it is imperative that, at an individual level, we do all we can to keep such criminals at arm's length.
We have offered useful tips in past blog posts, but here are some simple and effective ways to protect yourself online:
- Update your security and passwords: Having up-to-date anti-virus and malware protection is essential, but so too is updating your passwords regularly, especially when it comes to sensitive login details such as banking.
- Say no to phishing: Phishing usually comes in the form of fraudulent emails or texts masquerading as being sent from legitimate companies. Avoid opening any messages which look suspicious - or, if you have already, do not click on any links within.
- Mobile savviness: Many people wrongly associate online threats as being limited to desktop devices. But mobile phones are vulnerable to dodgy apps, and a constant flow of messages containing links. Tread carefully with clicks/taps, and only download official apps from official app stores.
- Be vigilant with personal data: Banks and other such entities won’t ask for passwords or login details over the phone, so never provide these if you are asked. But it is critical to be cautious with any personal data you share. Identity thieves thrive on material such as your address, date of birth and contact details, so rather contact the company yourself directly if you have any doubts about the credibility of the source requesting the information.
- Word on the street: Fraudsters are becoming ever-more sophisticated, and the nature of these scams is never far away from the headlines. Keep yourself apprised of the latest threats and techniques being used, and make sure you know what to do if you were ever to be in the firing line.
As for the threat of cyber-attacks, ultimately there is some level of trust we place in the organisations we use to keep our data protected. But while it is their prerogative to ensure they have the technologies in place to keep your information safe, you can still limit the risk by keeping the circle of trust as small as possible – especially in light of the recent launch of Open Banking.
At a wider level, regulatory legislation such as GDPR will also make for a safer online world, and the onus on companies to keep fraudsters and hackers at bay will intensify. Yet it is clear that there are some of us in this country who are either underestimating the severity of fraud and cybercrime or simply not doing enough to protect ourselves. Make sure that you aren’t one of them.
Related articles:
Our website offers information about saving, investing, tax and other financial matters, but not personal advice. If you're not sure whether peer-to-peer lending is right for you, please seek independent financial advice, and if you decide to invest with Lending Works, please read our Key Lender Information PDF first.
As with all investments, your capital is at risk.
- Summary of a post.
- Summary of a post.
In line with our risk management framework, today we published our Q4 2019 performance update.
As a platform, we take great pride in all that we've achieved since opening our doors for business nearly six years ago. We’ve
Since opening our doors back in 2014, we’ve always prided ourselves on living and breathing two key principles at Lending Works: innovation, and putting the customer first in everything we do.
Featured
Wednesday’s Budget speech, coupled with the cut to Bank of England rates, represented a decisive response to the coronavirus. Here we analyse the impact it will have on mitigating disruption from Covid-19, along with the long-term implications of this significant fiscal stimulus.
Rumblings from the Treasury ahead of next week's Budget suggest tax grabs will be needed to fund increased spending, and it appears UK enterprise could be in the firing line. Here we articulate why targeting entrepreneurs and small business is ill advised.
In a difficult climate, customer acquisition and lead generation present stern challenges for UK retailers, and a great deal of marketing spend invariably gets directed towards getting feet through the door.
There is a variety of literature and research illustrating the importance of building brand loyalty, albeit with some degree of variance.
Over the last decade, there can be little dispute that the reputation of mainstream banks – and particularly the so-called ‘Big Four’ (HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and RBS) – is at its lowest ebb.
The idea of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is a simple one; you lend money to those who wish to borrow, with a view to receiving a great return for doing so.
Most popular
The 2019-20 ISA season has been a damp squib, with banks disinterested in attracting savers’ cash, rates cut, and the stock market in freefall. However, the emergence of the IFISA means alternatives beckon for those seeking a stable middle ground in terms of risk and reward.
In a decade of slow recovery, the rapid rise in asset prices has been the standout. But how sustainable has price growth been, and could we be in the midst of a bubble?
- Summary of a post.
Most people consider income tax to be a given, but in the UK it is barely two centuries old. In this article, we look at how this tax has developed over the years, and also why it is set to remain at the core of our tax system for many decades to come.
Open banking celebrated its second birthday last month, but has the ‘revolution for financial services’ that was promised actually come to pass? In this article, we look at the progress the initiative has made so far, and what the future holds in the face of high levels of scepticism.
On the face of it, a 'broken' energy market needed fixing, and the price caps introduced in early 2019 were heralded as the solution. But, one year later, have they actually helped consumers save?
Recent
The Lending Works Shield does not give you a right to a payment so you may not receive a pay-out even if you suffer loss. The Lending Works Trustee has absolute discretion as to the amount that may be paid, including making no payment at all. Therefore, investors should not rely on possible pay-outs from the Lending Works Shield when considering whether or how much to invest. For more information click here.