Computeas internet safety 2013-2014

Stay safe on the internet

Get antivirus software and keep it updated (can be bought from many high street retailers and online)

Only post things you are happy to be posted Only connect with people you know Check your settings on websites are fully secure Don’t post information publicly online Always provide minimum information don’t just give it because its being

asked (crucial information is usually donated by an asterix *) Delete old accounts when you have finished using them Use strong passwords- the best passwords contain letters

numbers capital letters and symbols (if allowed), change passwords regularly, have a different password for every site and don’t email your password

Make sure firewall is turned on Check for secure site- this can be shown by a padlock in the address bar

or a web address beginning https:// (s stands for secure) or shown by your browser, there may be a tick next to the search site, also if the address bar goes green this is another sign of a secure site

If downloading from a website make sure it is one you trust e.g. a reputable company site, a site that you have used safely in the past, or a site that a trustworthy friend or family member has recommended to you

If you're not using your own computer, don't leave behind any details or open pages when you've finished

Be aware of who is around you and what they might be able to see over your shoulder

When you're using a wireless internet service (also known as 'Wi-Fi') on any computer in a public place, you cannot guarantee that the network is secure-it's best not to send or receive private information when using a public wireless network

Look out for fake websites- if unsure if the website is fake when searching include in the search box “scam” or “sucks” and people that have had problems with the site will comment on blogs

Terms and conditions- most people do not read these as they are very long and people assume they are accurate and legitimate but they are a legally binding contract

When signing up to websites make sure you check “opt out” if you don’t want your details being passed on to other websites- you can get lots of other emails from companies you don’t want

Log out of your websites once you’ve finished using them Be aware of a new scam with scammers phoning your phone telling you

your computer has a virus this wouldn’t happen

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Computeas internet safety 2013-2014

Top tip!! If you have any questions email computeas and we will be able to help, email us at computeas.sca@durham.ac.uk

Scam mail

Be aware of scam emails, they should go in your junk email folder in your email account. If you’re unsure don’t click on any links or give any information. Some things to look out for include:

Don’t know the sender Contains misspellings Makes an offer to good to be true Subject line and contents don’t match Contains urgent offer end date or urgent account closure Contains request to forward email and offers discounts for those that do Contains virus warning Contains attachments which include .exe files Senders email address doesn’t match organisation website address Email doesn’t use your name but a general “Dear Customer” Request for personal information Email comes out of the blue from a company you weren’t expecting

contact from For more information visit www.getsafeonline.org

Cookies

Internet cookies have been in the news a lot recently as an EU law requires sites using cookies to seek your permission. Cookies just store information on how often you visit sites and can target marketing specified for you. When going on a site you may get up a pop up asking permission to store a cookie on your computer, generally they are quite useful but it is up to your discretion as to how you feel about companies collecting information about your website use.

Buying online If the offer is too good to be true it probably is If buying from an online website ask others you trust if its secure If you buy something over £100 it is better to use a credit card as you

have legal rights under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. You get

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similar protection from a scheme called 'chargeback' - for purchases of under £100. This applies whether you paid by debit or credit card

When you make a card transaction, you should never be asked for your PIN or online banking password. Your PIN should only be used at cash machines and physical, point-of-sale terminals, such as a supermarket check-out

When you are making a payment online, you will be asked for the 3 or 4 digit security number ('CVV2 code'), which is usually found on the back of your card (last 3 digits on the stip)

Unless express permission has been given, sites are not allowed to store your card details after the transaction has been completed. So if you visit a site again and it lets you make new purchases without entering your card details, you should contact the site and ask for your card details to be deleted. It's much safer to re-enter your card details for each purchase

Check the country where your purchase is coming from, different rules apply depending on whether the company you're buying from is based within the EU or not. See the HM Revenues & Customs link (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/internet.htm) for details of the taxes and duties that can apply. Further information on purchasing rights can be found at www.adviceguide.org.uk

Use one credit card for internet transactions only. If anything goes wrong, you can always cancel this card

Under 'distance selling regulations', you may be entitled to a full refund for certain goods if you decide - within seven days of receiving your items - that you want to return them. And, in some cases, you may be entitled to a refund from the seller if your items don't arrive within a reasonable time period (usually 30 days)

Double check details are correct Check sellers returns and privacy

policies Keep receipts Check bank statements after

purchases

Booking holidays online

If renting a private apartment or villa, call the owner/agent directly to ensure that it is legitimate. If the number is not provided, email and request it. Check reviews on TripAdvisor or similar sites (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/). Get the full address of the property and find it on Google maps to check its location and legitimacy. Prior to payment, obtain a contract setting out terms and conditions of the rental, deposits, payment terms etc.

Procedure to buying something online

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The normal steps needed to purchase online start with clicking add to basket which will save the item until you buy it

Follow instructions and fill out personal information a blank box with an asterix needs to be filled in

Summary page will then load listing billing information You will be asked to tick a box confirming the websites terms and

conditions You will lastly be asked to enter credit or debit card details again you

need to enter information denoted by an asterix

You may be charged a small fee for buying online

When you are happy to complete the purchase you can click “proceed” or “submit”

You may then be asked to enter another password for security such as verified by visa or secure code (see below)

Verified by visa

Some banks are in partnership with visa creating a free service called verified by visa which provides secure online shopping. It is an additional layer of security adding one extra step in the process of buying something. If you sign up for verified by visa (some banks make it mandatory) when you have entered your card details a screen will load showing “processing” and your personal message will load and you can enter your password. For more information visit http://www.visaeurope.com/en/cardholders/verified_by_visa.aspx.

Secure code

Secure code is a similar service to verified by visa and is in partnerships with several banks. A private code gives added protection against unauthorized use of your card when you shop at participating online merchants. You will be automatically prompted by your card issuer to type in your SecureCode each time you make a purchase at participating online stores/retailers. Then your SecureCode will be quickly confirmed by your card issuer to complete your purchase. Your SecureCode will never be shared with the store/retailer. For more information visit http://www.mastercard.co.uk/securecode.html.

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Pay pal

Paypal is a secure platform for money transactions which can be used for buying, selling or transferring money. It works as a middle man ensuring you don’t need to share financial information with the person sending or receiving money and expose details online or in a public place. In addition transactions are monitored to identify suspicious behaviour and protect fraud. Also if a transaction doesn’t go right or you are concerned report issues to paypal and they will help. They also provide buyer and seller protection on eligible items. For more information visit www.paypal.com/uk/

Getting good value for money online

There are lots of money saving strategies to be made with the internet. Price comparison sites can save lots of money from insurance to household bills. Make sure you use reputable sites, companies which advertise on TV can be trusted e.g. compare the market, confused.com and money supermarket. When purchasing items from an online shop it can be advised to google the name of the shop followed by “voucher” or “discount code” as you may be able to get money off. However you have to decide if the websites you get the vouchers from are trustworthy.

Top tip!! Always check online for discount codes

Top tip!! Use price comparison sites but be aware of getting lots of emails

Online banking

Online banking is now used by 50% of adults in the UK and can be very useful to transfer between accounts and pay bills. So long as you follow safe internet practice it is one of the most trustworthy forms of banking. All banks now offer online banking, if you are interested visit your bank on the high street to enquire about it and find out all the information.

Selling onlineCreating an online account to sell things is easy and can be set up like any other account. When selling items on sites you have to pay a commission to e.g. ebay, however ebay has weeks long periods where you can list items and not be

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charged a fee. When selling items it is advised to upload a picture as people are more likely to buy items they can see. It is strongly advised to use paypal for these transactions.

Represent the items you are selling fairly and accurately. State your return policy clearly in your listing. Respond promptly to buyers' questions. Review your buyer's Feedback. Learn how to prevent members with low

Feedback from bidding on your items. Use extra caution with unknown or new buyers and unusual bidding activity.

Learn about unwelcome and malicious bidding. Include detailed postage and packing information in the item description as

well as the location of the item. Use Immediate Payments for fixed-price listings and listings where you use

the Buy it now option. For fixed price listings on eBay.co.uk priced below £650, specify a postage

cost and PayPal as the only payment method. For this type of listing, buyers will be asked to pay for the item immediately when they click the Buy it now button.

Use a postal service that provides a tracking number. This can help resolve disputes in cases where a buyer doesn't receive an item or receives a broken item.

Keep your postal receipts as proof that the item was sent. Keep any proof of your item's authenticity. Verify payment before sending items (including holding cheques until they

clear). Learn to recognise counterfeit schemes. Only send items to the verified billing address on the buyer's credit card

account (if applicable). Use extra caution with international payments and revised postage

information

Jargon busterAntivirus- protects your computer from viruses

App- (application) software that you download and can play games on ect

Autocorrect- feature on many programmes that automatically corrects incorrect spellings

Backup- when you save a document in more than 1 place on your computer

Blog- a website documenting someone’s life or thoughts

Broadband- a quick internet connection (the internet works faster)

Browser- programme you open to see the internet e.g. google chrome, internet explorer, safari

Download- to store a file from the internet to the computer

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File- where information is stored in computers

Install- to transfer a programme to a computer

Malware- malicious software installed onto a computer

Programme- e.g. Microsoft word, Microsoft excel (also known as software)

Search engine- website on the internet that allows you to search for other websites e.g. google

Software- programmes you run on your computer

Uninstall- to remove a programme from a computer system

Upload- to transfer a file from a computer to the internet

Virus- programme created to harm a computer

WiFi- (wireless fidelity) connecting a computer to the internet without a cable

Suggested materials

Books

These books had a 4 star rating plus on amazon

The really, really, really easy step-by-step computer book 1 for absolute beginners of all ages by Gavin Hoole and Robynn hofmeyr £5.25

The rough guide to the internet (mini rough guides) by Angus J.Kennedy £13.95

Using the internet safely for seniors for dummies by Nancy C. Muir and Linda Criddle £10.87

The beginner’s em@ail book by H. Smith £7.20 Laptops for dummies (for dummies (computers)) by Dan Gookin £12.23 DNA and social networking: A guide to genealogy in the twenty-first

century by Chris Pomery and Debbie Kennett £13.49 Absolute beginners guide to eBay (absolute beginners guides (Que)) by

Michael Miller £14.18 How to plan your dream vacation using the web: everything web surfers

need to plan enjoyable economical trips and dream vacations by Elizabeth Dempsey

The rough guide to iPods and iTunes by Peter Buckley £3.24

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A complete guide to digital photography by Ian Farrell £10.20 Social networking for seniors in easy steps by Anne Sparrowhawk £10.42 Silver sufers’ colour guide to online shopping (silver surfers) by Roger

Shaw £7.31

Websites

www.getsafeonline.org/

www.onguardonline.gov/

www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/0/

www.ageuk.org.uk/work-and-learning/technology-and-internet/

http://www.banksafeonline.org.uk/

Top tip!! Websites ending “.org” are generally trustworthy as they are for charities. Websites ending “.gov.uk” are also trustworthy as they are government websites.

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