The theme of this week aims to educate you on how to identify deceiving content in order to keep both yourself and your finances safe online. It’s also really important that you (as part of the University community) safeguard your university network account to protect the University network.
Day 1: Is this a scam?
Figure out if you are being scammed and what you can do about the different types of scams. A good starting point is this website. Although this site is from New Zealand the advice and information is still relevant anywhere in the world. The site highlights some key questions to ask yourself when dealing with emails, phone calls, even people turning up at your door:
Has someone contacted you unexpectedly?
Have they promised you something?
Have they asked you to do something?
Have a look at the full site for more information.
Day 2: Too smart to be scammed?
Think again. Most people think they wouldn’t fall for a fraudulent text or email, but criminals are more sophisticated than ever. Take the test to see if you can find the fraud. Stop and think! In the case of requests to move money – a genuine organisation will not contact you out of the blue to ask for your pin, full password or to move your money to another account. Clicking on links and files which may give a fraudster access to your personal or financial details is a big no-no. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. Don’t give away your personal information, always question uninvited approaches in case it’s a scam. Take the test to see if you can identify a scam.
Day 3: STOP. THINK. CONNECT.
The internet is a powerful and useful tool, but in the same way, you shouldn’t drive without buckling your seat-belt or ride a bike without a helmet, you shouldn’t venture online without taking some basic precautions.
Some tips on how to protect yourself from viruses, spyware, botnets and ransomware can be found here
Day 4: Spot the Scam?
Do you know how to tell the difference between genuine and fabricated information online? Take the Young Scot’s quiz to test your knowledge. (You don’t have to be young or Scottish to take part 🙂 )
Find Quiz here
Day 5: Top 10 internet scams you should know and avoid in 2018
Don’t fall foul to internet scams, have a look at this video which covers top internet scams found in 2018.