Advice for Individuals and Families

Individuals & families

The advice West Yorkshire Police provide around Cyber Security is consistent with the National Messaging from the NCSC.

The NCSCs cyber security advice to protect you and your family, and the technology discusses 5 different areas.

 

What is cyber security?

Cyber security is the means by which individuals and organisations reduce the risk of being affected by cyber crime.

How would we function without Technology? Therefore it is highly important that we take the relevant steps to Protect our Data, Accounts and Devices.

Please visit Individuals & families - NCSC.GOV.UK for more information.

 

Cyber Aware top tips

You can improve your cyber security by taking six actions:

  1. Use a strong and separate password for your email

  2. Create strong passwords using 3 random words

  3. Save your passwords in your browser

  4. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

  5. Update your devices

  6. Back up your data

You could also conduct a 'personalised to do list', in order to Protect yourself or your business online by completing a free Action Plan (no sign up required).

Stay protected online with a Cyber Action Plan - NCSC.GOV.UK

Learn how to deal with common cyber problems by looking at some straightforward advice for common issues, such as:

Q. I have been hacked. How do I recover my account?

A. Recovering a hacked account - NCSC.GOV.UK

Q. Should I pay a ransom to unlock my computer?

A. If your device has become infected with ransomware, you are encouraged not to pay the ransom- How to recover an infected device - NCSC.GOV.UK

Q. My username and password have been stolen!

A. If you suspect either has happened, you should change your password as soon as possible (think three random words). Further guidance can be found at Cyber Aware - NCSC.GOV.UK.

Q. I might have malware on my device.

A. Follow the NCSCs guide on how to remove viruses and restore your device by visiting this website- How to recover an infected device - NCSC.GOV.UK.

Q. I've received a suspicious email, call or text.

A. Read the NCSCs advice on spotting and dealing with suspicious emails, calls and texts.

Q. I am worried that my banking details have been stolen.

A. 

  • Contact your bank or building society and speak to their fraud department.
  • Your bank will not ask you to reply to an e-mail with personal information, or details about your account. If you contact them, use a phone number/email address you have found yourself, rather than one sent to you in the email – it may be false.
  • You can check your credit reference file online. You should follow up on any unexpected or suspicious results.
  • For more guidance on protecting yourself from cyber-enabled fraud, please visit Take Five.

Protecting your data and devices

The NCSC have picked a range of articles from their website that will help you learn about how to protect your data and devices.

Here's a link to those resources: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/information-for/individuals-families#section_4

How to report cyber crime

If you think you might have been a victim of cyber crime, please visit Action Fraud or contact them on 0300 123 2040.


For further support, Citizen's Advice provide advice and support on online fraud. You can call their dedicated helpline or talk to someone online.

Get help from Citizen's Advice here

Have you spotted a suspicious email?

If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS):

[email protected]

Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 7726. This free-of-charge short code enables your provider to investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.

Please note: You should not report a crime to the NCSC in this way. If you think you may have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should report this to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.  If you live in Scotland, you should report to Police Scotland by calling 101.