Staying Safe Online
17 May 2024
Staying Safe Online is becoming ever harder as internet scams become more and more sophisticated. It is an unfortunate reality that fraud is becoming more prevalent and more credible on the internet and in social media. The availability of AI tools has made fraudulent activity more sophisticated and agile. Scammers are using company logos, creating fake accounts, and copying websites to deceive individuals into believing they are communicating with legitimate brands. We feel it is important to share some of these damaging tactics with you.
Staying Safe Online through Vigilance
Fake websites and imposter social posts are all used to trick unsuspecting individuals into divulging personal information.
To protect yourself from these scams, we recommend following these best practices:
- Consider who you are sharing personal data with. Never share your personal or sensitive data with unknown sources. If you do, limit your sharing of personal data with government departments, public health officials, etc. This takes us to the second point:
- Verify the website. Always double-check the website URL to ensure it matches the official website. Scammers often create fake websites with URLs that closely resemble the legitimate site. Pay close attention for any misspellings or additional words in the URL. For example, is it a letter “o” or is it a number zero “0”. Whilst obvious difference when pointed out to, our brain can read jumbled letters without even noticing it (Yuo cna porbalby raed tihs esaliy desptie teh msispeillgns).
- Check for security features. Legitimate websites employ security features such as SSL certificates, which can be identified by a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. Ensure the website you are using has these security measures in place.
- Be cautious of unsolicited emails. Scammers may send fraudulent emails claiming to be a recognized brand. These emails often contain links or attachments that can infect your device when clicked or opened. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
- Verify social media accounts. Scammers may create fake social media accounts that resemble companies you deal with. Look for verification badges or other indications of authenticity, such as a high number of followers.
- Report suspicious activity: If you encounter any suspicious websites, emails, or social media accounts claiming a brand you deal with, please report them immediately to the legitimate company’s customer service team.
Protect Yourself
Scams and fraud attempts can be unsettling, but with awareness and following these best practices, Staying Safe Online can be achieved. Use CheckMyLink to verify the authenticity and safety of online shopping websites. It is managed by Cyber Skills, in partnership with ScamAdviser and An Garda Síochána. You can check that the website you are using is genuine and free from harmful software by providing the website URL (link).
In addition, it is very helpful to have up-to-date antivirus or online security software installed on all of your devices. Don’t forget that smartphones and tablets are just as in need of malware protection these days as laptops or desktops!
If you think that you have been a victim of fraud and your bank account has been used or compromised in any way you should report the matter immediately to your bank or financial institution to minimise any financial loss to you. In addition, you should report a suspected incident of fraud to An Garda Síochána.
Some additional information can be found on Citizens Information website and their page How to avoid scams.
To conclude:
- Always know who you are dealing with!
- Stay alert!
- Protect your personal information!
- Protect your money!
Online Health and Safety Training
Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.
Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.
This is why we have established Myelearnsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.
Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.
To find out more, please check our Courses page.
Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie
eLearn Online Health and Safety Training