Don't let fraudsters get you on the net
An increasing number of people in the UK are using the web for banking and shopping as they shun the high street and do their financial transactions and purchases from the comfort of home.
However, as internet sales have increased, so too has on-line fraud.
Nearly 17 million people now bank online while last year 26.4million people bought something online – that is three-quarters of all UK internet users.
However, whether you are banking or shopping online, you are still at risk of being a victim of fraud. And worringly, the trend is rising: card-not-present fraud jumped from 45m in 2003 to 154.5m last year.
According to Apacs, the trade association for the clearing banks, one in eight online shoppers fails to log out properly after making a purchase, making them easy prey for fraudsters.
Even more alarmingly, one in four online shoppers will not check whether the website they are using is secure before entering personal details.
It is vital for users to check they are on a secure site – they should check for a locked padlock or unbroken key symbol at the top or bottom of their computer screen. If the symbol is not there, it is not a secure site.
Also, the usual prefix to 'www' of 'http' prefix will change to 'https' when you are on a secure site – the 's' standing for 'secure'.
Sandra Quinn, director of communications at APACS, says:
"The internet has become part of our everyday lives and we increasingly rely on it to manage our finances, pay our bills and buy our weekly supermarket shopping. While confidence is growing in internet security, everyone needs to do some basic things to make sure they stay safe online.
"By following simple tips such as making sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a personal firewall installed, you can minimise your chances of being a victim of online fraud. Similarly, a good way to help keep your card safe from being used fraudulently on the internet is to sign up for Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode – you simply register a private password with your card company and use it when you shop online at participating retailers."
Tactics used by fraudsters include 'phishing' – e-mails claiming to be from your bank that ask you to click on to a fake website from which they can steal your details; and Trojans – malicious software that can steal your details is deposited on your PC, either via an infected email or via a bogus website.
For on-line banking alone, total losses using these methods was 33.5m last year, up 44 per cent from 2005, according to Apacs.
The organisation says there are three essential steps people can take to protect their computer:
n Use anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date on a regular basis.
n Install and learn how to use a personal firewall.
n Download the latest security updates (or patches) for your web browser and operating system
Whatever you use the Internet for, it is vital that you take a few basic steps to ensure that your computer is protected against the latest threats. Just as you protect your house with locks on windows and doors and maybe also a burglar alarm, it is essential that you protect your computer. That way shopping and banking on-line will be a safe and secure experience.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
