Menu
21/11/2018
Northern Ireland: A Hotspot For Cyber Crime
Northern Ireland is the riskiest area of the UK with regards to cybersecurity, new research has claimed.
ESET, a firm that specialises in online security, found that 29% of people in the region have had a social media or email account hacked.
The research also suggested that people here are more likely to use bank PIN numbers or birthday dates as passwords, and discovered that over half of internet users in the UK have clicked on a link in a spam email.
Cybersecurity expert for ESET, Jake Moore, said users need a greater awareness of how best to interact online.
"Email scams are only growing in frequency and it is becoming much harder to spot the good from the bad as criminals become more sophisticated in their art of deception," he said.
"My advice? Never click on or download anything from someone who you aren't expecting something from and always look at the sender's email address. If a company emails to say they have locked you out of your account, ask yourself why they would before clicking through in a fit of panic."
Mr Moore also warned against over-sharing on social media, given the number of online friends people have which they have not actually met in real life.
(JG/MH)
ESET, a firm that specialises in online security, found that 29% of people in the region have had a social media or email account hacked.
The research also suggested that people here are more likely to use bank PIN numbers or birthday dates as passwords, and discovered that over half of internet users in the UK have clicked on a link in a spam email.
Cybersecurity expert for ESET, Jake Moore, said users need a greater awareness of how best to interact online.
"Email scams are only growing in frequency and it is becoming much harder to spot the good from the bad as criminals become more sophisticated in their art of deception," he said.
"My advice? Never click on or download anything from someone who you aren't expecting something from and always look at the sender's email address. If a company emails to say they have locked you out of your account, ask yourself why they would before clicking through in a fit of panic."
Mr Moore also warned against over-sharing on social media, given the number of online friends people have which they have not actually met in real life.
(JG/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 April 2022
'Continued Responsibility' To Tackle Online Abuse
Social media platforms have a continued responsibility to tackle online abuse, the DUP's Diane Dodds has said. She said: "The purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk doesn't change the fundamental questions which face social media platforms. "Support for free speech does not and should not mean turning a blind eye to threats and vile abuse.
'Continued Responsibility' To Tackle Online Abuse
Social media platforms have a continued responsibility to tackle online abuse, the DUP's Diane Dodds has said. She said: "The purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk doesn't change the fundamental questions which face social media platforms. "Support for free speech does not and should not mean turning a blind eye to threats and vile abuse.
15 June 2022
Businesses And Charities Warned Against Phishing Scams
Businesses and charities are being urged to be on their guard against phishing emails designed to deceive staff into providing their account passwords to online criminals.
Businesses And Charities Warned Against Phishing Scams
Businesses and charities are being urged to be on their guard against phishing emails designed to deceive staff into providing their account passwords to online criminals.
09 August 2021
Anonymous Social Media Posts Are Not The Way To Deal With Crime - SF
Anonymous social media posts are not the way to deal with crime, Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has said, urging anyone with information on illegal drug dealing and criminality to bring it to the PSNI.
Anonymous Social Media Posts Are Not The Way To Deal With Crime - SF
Anonymous social media posts are not the way to deal with crime, Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has said, urging anyone with information on illegal drug dealing and criminality to bring it to the PSNI.
04 January 2022
DUP Calls For Action On Online 'Wild West'
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has condemned online abuse directed at Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds. Sir Jeffrey said: "There is a real need to call time on the 'wild west' online where a small number of people believe they can say or do what they like without consequence.
DUP Calls For Action On Online 'Wild West'
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has condemned online abuse directed at Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds. Sir Jeffrey said: "There is a real need to call time on the 'wild west' online where a small number of people believe they can say or do what they like without consequence.
10 November 2021
Safer Schools NI App Launches
A new app for schools to safeguard children and young people when online has been announced by Education Minister Michelle McIlveen. The Safer Schools NI app is a one-stop-shop digital library of age-appropriate safeguarding resources for teachers, parents/carers and children & young people.
Safer Schools NI App Launches
A new app for schools to safeguard children and young people when online has been announced by Education Minister Michelle McIlveen. The Safer Schools NI app is a one-stop-shop digital library of age-appropriate safeguarding resources for teachers, parents/carers and children & young people.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Apart from a little patchy drizzle it will be a dry evening and night with variable amounts of cloud. A few mist and fog patches forming. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
