WIREDGOV

As part of the Cyber Aware campaign, a new tool has been developed to help consumers understand their cyber security risk.

• The Consumer Cyber Action Plan creates free tailored advice on steps you can take to reduce the chance you become victim of an online attack
• New survey reveals the vast majority of the public are worried about potential consequences of cyber crime
• National Cyber Security Centre promotes Cyber Aware advice that protect accounts and devices from the majority of online harms

A new digital tool for individuals to receive advice on improving their cyber security has been launched on the same day the cyber crime worries keeping Britain up at night were revealed.

As part of the cross-government Cyber Aware campaign, GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched the free of use Cyber Action Plan tool for individuals to receive advice on improving their cyber security in an increasingly digital world.

New polling independently carried out on behalf of the National Cyber Security Centre has today shown that 81% of British people fear themselves or their friends or family falling victim to cyber crime. The statistics have been broken down into regions and ages – giving a reflection of the fears the country has about online dangers.

Specifically:

• 58% are worried about their money being stolen online,
• 53% about having their personal details stolen online.
• 48% about their devices being infected by viruses or malware
• Those aged 25 to 34 years old are most worried – with 86% of people in this age bracket revealing their concerns.

To help protect themselves from falling victim, the NCSC urges people to complete a short survey at www.cyberaware.gov.uk that generates a personalised list of actions linked to the Cyber Aware behaviours.

NCSC Director for Policy and Communications, Nicola Hudson, said:

“The last year has shown us the great value online technology brings to us all – but people are right to be wary that cyber criminals could look to take advantage of our increasingly digital lives.

“We can protect ourselves from the majority of cyber crime by following the six practical Cyber Aware steps and the newly launched Cyber Action Plan will help people to personalise this advice.

“I would urge everybody to visit the Cyber Aware site, use the Cyber Action Plan tool and follow our steps to secure themselves online.”

Alistair Cromwell, Acting Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“With many of us having to stay in over the past year, we’re more reliant on the internet to help us do things like keep in touch with loved ones or work from home.

“It’s vital we all know how to stay safe online. NCSC’s new Cyber Action Plan tool will help provide personalised and practical advice for staying cyber aware.

“Unfortunately, Citizens Advice has seen a huge increase in people seeking help with online scams since the pandemic began. If you need help identifying an online scam, Citizens Advice’s online Scams Action tool can help you.”

The government is committed to defending the UK against cyber threats and the NCSC has published advice and guidance to support individuals, including how to deal with suspicious emails, texts and call and shop online securely.

Cyber Aware is the home of the government’s advice on staying secure online, offering six actions that people can take to protect themselves from the majority of cyber crime. It can be found at www.cyberaware.gov.uk.

People should report suspicious emails and texts by forwarding to report@phishing.gov.uk and 7726 respectively. Anybody who thinks that they’ve fallen victim to a cyber crime should report this to Action Fraud (for England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland (for Scotland)