Cyber crime
Whether you are an individual, a business or a charity, many of us rely upon computers and the internet. However, criminals can use the anonymity and size of the internet and computers to their advantage to further their criminal activities.
There are two different categories of cyber crime; cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled.
Cyber-dependent crimes are crimes that can only be committed using a form of information communications technology (ICT), such as a computer. These are crimes such as 'hacking' and spreading of malware (threats to your computer).
Cyber-enabled crimes are traditional crimes, such as fraud and stalking, but which are increased through the use of ICT. For example, harassment through social media and scam emails.
Virgin Media have a cyber security safety test that aims to build awareness and educate users of all ages on how to better protect themselves from online threats. You can find this here.
We have a separate page of information about cyberstalking.
You can also find more information about fraud on our fraud page.
Or you can read more about or Digital Ambassadors here.
Help for businesses
The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East supports and helps protect small and medium sized enterprises, supply chain businesses and third sector organisations against cyber crime.
They can help provide security awareness training, vulnerability assessments and other guidance around protecting yourself.
Cyber fraud
It is estimated that at least 84% of fraud reported nationally is cyber-enabled. By using ICT, it allows criminals to target a much bigger audience.
If you have been a victim of a cyber scam or fraud, you can report it to Action Fraud.
If you have been a victim of cyber fraud and the crime is in progress or it involves a vulnerable victim you should report directly to the police either by calling 101 or 999 (if it's an emergency).
Below are some guides that have been created to help business, organisations and charities to help protect themselves from cyber crime.
The Little Book of Cyber Scams guide has been created by the Metropolitan Police Service to offer advice to individuals and small enterprises on how to stay safe in the cyber world.
The Small Business Guide contains information around the most common cyber attacks. The advice in this guide will help significantly increase your protection from the most common types of cyber-crime.
The Cyber Security Toolkit for Boards helps board members understand cyber security which is central to an organisations health and resilience.
Phishing Attacks: Defending Your Organisation shows how organisations can help defend themselves against malicious emails and other phishing.
Password Policies is key to keeping yourself and your information safe.