In our wonderfully connected world, we share so much of our lives online. From keeping up with loved ones on social media to managing our finances and shopping, the internet has become a central part of our daily routines. But just as we take care to lock our doors at night, it’s equally important that we are mindful of our digital security.
This post is a simple guide to help our church family stay a little safer online.
The Growing Risk of Data Breaches
You might be surprised to learn how often the companies we trust with our personal information are targeted by cyberattacks. In the past year alone, thousands of UK businesses and charities have experienced data breaches. This means that personal details held by all sorts of organisations, from shops and banks to healthcare providers, can sometimes be exposed.
Access Personal Checking Services (APCS) Ltd – the provider that Winchester diocese, along with many other dioceses and most parishes currently use to process online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks – was a recent victim of such a breach. Whilst the impact for St Marks through this is fortunately limited to two of our PCC members only, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the risk that having your data involved in a breach can be.
When this happens, sensitive information like our names, addresses, dates of birth, and even financial details can fall into the wrong hands. This can lead to serious problems like identity theft, where a criminal might use your details to open new accounts or take out loans in your name. It can also lead to financial fraud, with scammers attempting to gain access to your bank accounts.
Staying Alert: Spotting Scams
Criminals often use unsolicited emails and phone calls as their first point of attack. These “phishing” attempts are designed to trick us into giving away our personal information.
Here are a few common examples of what these scams can look like:
- The Urgent “Bank” Email: You might receive an email that appears to be from your bank, claiming there’s a problem with your account that requires you to click a link to fix it. These links often lead to fake websites designed to steal your login information. Remember, your bank will never ask you to click a link in an email to resolve an issue with your account.
- The Unexpected “Prize” or “Refund”: You might be contacted by email or phone with news that you’ve won a prize or are due a tax refund. To claim it, you’ll be asked for your bank details. Always be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
- The “Helpful” Tech Support Call: You could get a call from someone pretending to be from a well-known tech company like Microsoft or Apple. They might claim your computer has a virus and that they need to access it remotely to fix the problem. This is a common tactic to install malicious software or steal your personal information.
Simple Steps to Protect Yourself
So, what can we do to stay safe? Here are a few simple but effective best practices:
- Don’t Be Rushed: Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting without thinking. Always take a moment to pause and consider any request.
- Never Click on Suspicious Links: If you receive an unexpected email with a link, even if it looks legitimate, it’s always safer to go directly to the company’s website by typing their address into your browser.
- Be Cautious with Attachments: Avoid opening attachments in emails you weren’t expecting, as they can contain harmful viruses.
- Protect Your Personal Information: Be very careful about sharing personal or financial information over the phone or by email, especially if you didn’t initiate the contact. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank, hang up and call them back on the official number from their website or the back of your card.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. It’s always better to be cautious and to verify any requests directly with the organisation in question using a trusted contact method.
By being aware and taking these simple precautions, we can all significantly reduce our risk of falling victim to cybercrime.