Archives: Articles

Your Connected Home

The number of electrical and electronic items in your home that can be monitored and controlled via your Wi-Fi is growing all the time. These range from security systems and cameras and dimmable lightbulbs to your children’s smart toys. It is even possible to buy a refrigerator which tells you when you need to stock […]

Voucher / gift card scams

A voucher or gift card scam takes place when unsuspecting victims are approached by fraudsters and persuaded to pay bills, fees or debts using iTunes gift cards or other vouchers.

Trades Approval Websites

A number of websites have been launched in recent years which the public can use to find tradespeople and check their credentials. Tradespeople or companies have profiles on the sites describing their services and often featuring customer reviews. You will often find the recommendation site’s logo on the tradesperson’s van, business card, leaflet and letterhead/invoice. […]

Tax Scams

Fraudulent phishing emails claiming to be issued by the tax office and demanding payment or notifying you of a refund, have been in existence for some years. They are still as, if not more, popular with scammers.

Online Abuse

Social media has made it very easy for us to communicate quickly and easily with family, friends and acquaintances, as well as sharing experiences and letting others know of our opinions and beliefs. These opinions and beliefs may be about world events or local affairs, politics or religion, interests, affiliations, organisations, products, people and a […]

Job Searching

Job searching online has become the most popular method of finding employment. However, like all online activity, job hunting carries certain risks which you need to be aware of and take precautions against, in order to stay safe.

Counterfeit Goods

Counterfeit goods – fake products deliberately made to seem genuine – have been produced and sold for many, many years, but the growth of the internet has made it easier for more counterfeiters to sell more goods to more people. Many are so skilled that it is almost impossible to determine a fake from the […]

Blackmail emails

There has been a sharp increase in the incidence of emails threatening to expose the recipient to everybody in their contacts list, for viewing pornographic online content unless a fee is paid. The emails claim that the sender has populated the recipient’s computer with spyware which has detected the content being viewed and also – […]

Transferring Money

There is an increasing number of services which enable you to transfer money to other people using your mobile phone number – without needing to exchange bank account details. 

Viruses & Spyware

A virus is a file written with the sole intention of doing harm, or for criminal activity. There are many types of virus. Viruses and spyware are also known as ‘malware’