Staying safe online
This page gives you information about how to protect yourself against online scams
We often rely on the internet for everyday tasks. But just like locking your front door, it's a good idea to take steps to protect yourself online. Here’s how to stay safe with a few simple tips.
Use strong, unique passwords
Your password is like your house key, it should only be used in one place and be hard to guess.
Top tips for a stronger password:
- Use at least 12 characters
- Include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols
- Avoid names, birthdays or common words
- Don’t reuse passwords across different websites
- Try a password manager to generate and store strong passwords securely
Switch on multi-factor authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. After you enter your password, you’ll get a code sent to your phone or email or you can use an app like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator.
Use MFA wherever you can but especially for:
- Social media
- Shopping accounts
Protect yourself from phishing scams
Phishing is when someone pretends to be a trusted company to trick you into giving away personal information, like passwords or bank details. If you think you’ve been targeted:
- Contact your bank or credit card provider and let them know what’s happened
- Change your passwords - especially for email, online banking and shopping accounts
Update your software regularly
Software updates often include important security fixes.
Stay protected by:
- Enabling automatic updates on your devices
- Regularly checking for updates on apps and browsers
- Avoiding outdated software
Beware of gift card scams
Scammers may pretend to be someone you know and ask you to buy a gift card.
They’ll then ask you to send the card number or a digital version – often to a different email address. They’ll promise to pay you back, but they never do.
To protect yourself:
- Never share gift card codes with anyone you don’t know or haven’t spoken to directly
- If you get a message like this, call the real person using a number you trust
Watch out for phone scams
Scammers can make their number look like it’s coming from a trusted company.
If you get a call from an unexpected number, hang up and call the company back using a number from their official website. Don't share your bank details or personal information over the phone.
Need help?
If you’re not sure where to start, ask a trusted friend or family member or visit Get Safe Online for free, easy-to-use tools.
If you think you’ve been scammed, act fast:
- Contact Action Fraud
- Tell your bank
- Report it to the website or app where it happened