Fraud and Cyber Alerts
Protection / Prevention Advice
Please consider the following information:
Don’t click on links or open any attachments you receive in unsolicited emails or SMS messages. Remember that fraudsters can ‘spoof’ an email address to make it look like one used by someone you trust. If you are unsure, check the email header to identify the true source of communication.
Information on how to locate email headers can be found at https://mxtoolbox.com/Public/Content/EmailHeaders/
Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Most anti-virus software contains an ‘anti-spyware’ scan which may be able to detect key loggers. If your current software does not offer this function, consider installing software which does - both free and paid for anti-spyware is widely available.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that device as well.
If you think your bank details have been compromised, you should immediately contact your bank.
Advice on when it should be reported to PSNI as a ‘Call For Service’ can be found at: https://www.psni.police.uk/crime/fraud/Reporting-Fraud/
If you have received a suspicious email, please forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk and see www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/report-suspicious-emails for more information.
If you receive a suspicious SMS, please forward this to your mobile network provider by forwarding it to 7726.
There is a wealth of information available to help individuals or organisations take action to protect
accounts, network and data.
Taking some simple steps around passwords, backups, updates and crucially, two factor authentication, can help prevent the majority of cyber incidents seen across Northern Ireland.
Further Information
The following websites offer up to date advice and tools to help manage the threats:
Cyber Aware - https://www.nicybersecuritycentre.gov.uk
National Cyber Security Centre - https://www.ncsc.gov.uk
(Check out the NCSC Exercise in a Box, an online tool which allows organisations find out how resilient they are to cyber-attacks and practise their response).
Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre - https://www.nicybersecuritycentre.gov.uk/
Police CyberAlarm - Police CyberAlarm
Have I Been Pwned: Check if your email has been compromised in a data breach