Click cyber crime where it really hurts

MIllIONS of Britons are leaving themselves open to online fraud despite the recent global cyber attacks.

Following the ransomware attack, one in three admit they don’t know how to keep themselves secure from hackers, according to credit reporting service Noddle.

Many prioritise speed over security by disabling their settings to download an app, using insecure public wi-fi and skipping time-consuming software updates.

Noodle’s fraud and ID director John Cannon said the weakest link is our own behaviour and we need to prioritise cyber security over convenience: “You would never leave your front door open all day, yet that’s essentially what some people are doing with their online behaviour. Computer users must download software updates which contain security upgrades and check privacy and security settings.”

a strong password is your first defence against hackers and cyber criminals. He added: “When making online purchases you should always check for the padlock symbol or https on a website’s URl.”

More than one in 10 Britons have had to cancel a credit or debit card in the past year because of online fraud, CompareTheMarket.com found.

Head of money Shakila Hashmi said card providers and customers have a responsibility to protect accounts: “Have different PINs for different cards, change your passwords regularly, and monitor your accounts for criminal or suspicious activity.”