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https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/ Most people store a lot of personal information on their computers. If you don’t protect your computer properly when you're online, it’s possible that personal details could be stolen or deleted without your knowledge.

Your computer can be attacked in a number of ways over the internet. Viruses and spy-ware can remove files and allow criminals to scan your computer for personal information. Your computer could even be hacked (when a person gains access to your computer through your wireless network).

Get Safe Online(external link opens in a new window / tab) has detailed information about the risks to your computer and how to deal with them.

Being aware of the risks Malicious Software (known as 'malware') Malware is short for malicious software. Detailed below are different kinds of malware that are a risk to computer users in everyday life, for example Spyware, Ransomware and so on.

Spyware A piece of software that allows a criminal to spy on a user (without their knowledge) when they are using their computer. These spying capabilities include actively monitoring a user and collecting what a user is typing including collecting bank details and passwords.

Spyware software can be downloaded with other software, like music sharing software.

Ransomware Ransomware is a form of malware (malicious software) that gives criminals the ability to lock a computer from a remote location, which means that the computer owner can't use their computer.

The criminal will then send a message to the owner's computer saying that the computer will not be unlocked until a sum of money is paid. In some cases, the only usable part of the computer is the number keypad to enter a PIN to allow payment to the criminals.

If your computer has been locked by ransomware, get professional advice from a trustworthy source.

Trojan A Trojan is a type of malware that disguises itself as a normal file or computer program to trick users into downloading and installing malware on their computer.

A Trojan can give a criminal remote access to an infected computer. Once an attacker has access to an infected computer, it is possible for the attacker to steal information like login details, banking information or even electronic money. The attacker can also use the Trojan to install more malware to change files and monitor user activity.

Viruses Viruses are destructive software that can run on your computer without you knowing. They spread through the internet and emails by copying themselves to documents and programmes on your computer. Viruses can cause damage by deleting files and can allow criminals to monitor your computer and steal personal information. They can slow down your computer and take days to remove.

Botnets A botnet is a network of virus-infected computers that are used together and can be remotely controlled. The attacker can then have access to the computers and use them for malicious activities, such as sending spam. All this can be done without the computer users knowing what is happening.

Protecting your computer(external link opens in a new window / tab) Common signs that your computer has been attacked Even though there are a wide range of malware types, the majority of them produce similar symptoms. Below are the more common symptoms:

your files being edited or deleted without your permission your computer freezing or crashing more than normal strange files appearing on you computer that you haven’t downloaded emails or messages being sent out from your email or social media without you knowing increased CPU usage - central processing unit (CPU) carries out the active tasks and processes that are running on your computer - malware makes your computer work harder than normal and your CPU usage will show this general strange behaviour from your computer Security measures you can take Using the most up-to-date version of your operating system Your operating system is the main piece of software controlling your computer. The most common systems are Microsoft Windows (used on PCs), Macintosh OS (used on Macs) and Linux (used on Linux computers).

All new computers have this software installed. The most recent version of the software is usually the most secure. Updates are usually available from the software manufacturer and are free to download.

Protecting your computer(external link opens in a new window / tab) Safer Mac use(external link opens in a new window / tab) Safer Linux use(external link opens in a new window / tab) Make sure you have a desktop firewall in place A firewall is software or hardware that acts as a filter between your computer or network and the internet. Using a firewall prevents unauthorised access to your computer and is designed to stop worms (another type of malicious software).

Desktop firewalls for individual computers are available in high street shops. Some operating systems have built-in firewalls but it's best to check with the manufacturer and find out if it provides adequate protection.

Firewalls(external link opens in a new window / tab) Using up-to-date antivirus software Antivirus software checks your computer for viruses and alerts you about those it recognises. It's important to keep this software up-to-date, as new viruses are being created all the time.

Viruses and spyware(external link opens in a new window / tab) Use strong passwords Many websites use passwords to protect your identity. If your passwords are easy to guess, someone else could work out what they are. Using strong passwords is especially important when you're spending money online. Good passwords should:

never be shared or written down somewhere - don't tell helpline staff your password the longer the password, the harder it is to crack - so aim for a password with a minimum of eight characters include lower and upper case letters, numbers and other keyboard characters change regularly - every three months is a good guide not be the same on all the websites you use don't use obvious passwords like “password” or “1234567” - a hacker can guess these in seconds and should be avoided at all costs These guidelines make it more difficult for hackers to crack your password therefore use unusual passwords.

Security settings - adjusting your privacy settings You can customise your device by changing the security and privacy settings helping to protect from harmful or malicious web content. You can choose how and when sites can use your location information and block unwanted pop-ups.

Adjusting your privacy settings in Windows 10(external link opens in a new window / tab) How to stay safe online(external link opens in a new window / tab) 10 top tips for smartphone security(external link opens in a new window / tab) Log off and collect print-outs If you’re accessing a site where you have provided personal details or a password, always log off and close your browser window when you've finished. This is especially important if you are using a shared computer, for example, in an internet café or library.

Make sure you collect anything you print from the printer or your personal details might fall into the wrong hands.

Monitoring your family's use of the internet Make sure everyone's aware of internet safety issues, especially young people who may use file-sharing programmes, instant messaging and chatrooms more than adults. Think about restricting sites they can view and what they can download. It's usually possible do this through the settings on your browser or you can buy separate software.

Online scams A scam is an illegal scheme that tries to trick you out of your money. Online scams use the internet and email. Find out more about online scams:

Online scams scamwiseni has information on:

the latest news about recent scams how to recognise a scam how to beat the scammers who to contact if you think you have encountered a scam how to protect yourself from fraudsters in 'The Little Book of Big Scams' 15 common COVID-19 scams to watch out for(external link opens in a new window / tab) Online shopping and banking There are a few steps you can take to shop online safely and keep your financial details secure.

information can be found on page 17 in the Improving digital skills to help people get online

Online shopping(external link opens in a new window / tab) can be fun, convenient and often benefits of money-saving. Information on how to:

find online bargains how to use cashback sites what are eBay and Amazon internet shopping how to buy online how to compare prices how to shop safely online how to use PayPal Before you buy online, note the address, telephone number and any other contact details of the company you’re buying from. Never rely on just an email address.

More useful links Go ON NI events NCSC glossary(external link opens in a new window / tab) Discover the internet Free internet access(external link opens in a new window / tab) Avoid online fraud National Cyber Security Centre(external link opens in a new window / tab) Discover the internet Avoid online fraud Choosing an IT device Connect, learn, work and be safe from anywhere Email, internet and social media Go ON NI events Internet access and broadband Keyboard and mouse basics Staying safe online Translation helpHow to translate this page Help improve this page - send your feedback Related sites gov.uk nibusinessinfo.co.uk Links to supporting information Accessibility statement Crown copyright Terms and conditions Privacy thumb|alt=Don't trust Unknown people|Be safe online