Cyber Security

Staying safe from online scams

Scammers steal millions of pounds from people each year through fraud. Today, online offences make up a larger proportion than offline. Unfortunately, this type of crime doesn’t appear to be decreasing, as Citizens Advice claims that seven million people in the UK have been victims of online scams in the last year.

Common schemes include:

• Fake shopping websites
• Email banking
• HMRC scams

Some can play on our heartstrings, through romance scams or disaster relief cons. Fraudulent activity also moves with the times, and in recent years we’ve seen the arrival of new types of scams, including cryptocurrency and AI-generated deepfakes.

Should internet users worry about online scams?

Yes, online scams are becoming more common and more sophisticated. In 2023, Ofcom research found that around nine in 10 UK adults (87%) came across content that they suspected to be a scam.

According to the research from Citizens Advice, one in five (20%) of people in the UK who fell victim to a scam last year said they were significantly impacted by the financial loss they suffered.

Around one in eight (12%) fell into debt or had to borrow money, while one in 10 (10%) said they had to use emergency savings. This shows that getting scammed can have a hugely damaging impact on victims, so it’s extremely important to stay vigilant while you’re online.

How can I best protect my data?

Knowing how to protect your data can help you feel more confident online. There are some things you can do, like:

• Protect your online identity - Think about what information you want to share with the online world. It might be best to keep some personal information to yourself
• Be careful with family photos - Only share photos online with people you trust
• Guard your financial details - Never share banking details
• Protect important documents - Make sure these are safely stored and secured with passwords

Staying safe online with cyber security

There are several steps you can take to keep yourself secure online:

• Protect online accounts with strong, separate passwords
• Keep up to date with the latest software and app security updates
• Stay alert to suspicious emails or websites and don’t click on any links you don’t think are genuine
• Look for the padlock symbol next to the website address that shows your connection is secure
• Only provide necessary information when shopping online and consider using a credit card, as they can offer more purchase protection
• Search online to find the latest scams to watch out for

Do broadband providers offer security software?

We spoke to TechRadar about which suppliers provide security software within their deals. While many do offer virus protection and other cyber security features, it won’t necessarily come as standard in all packages.

TechRadar found that providers such as BT, Plusnet, TalkTalk and Sky all include some security features in their broadband products, while other suppliers such as Virgin Media, EE and Vodafone had optional packages for customers.

Experts suggest doing your own research before you buy and ensuring you have the right protection for you.

How to tell if someone is stealing your WiFi

Every device connected to your Wi-Fi network has a unique IP address and MAC address, and you should be able to see a list of connected devices or ‘clients’ in the settings page of your wireless router.

Your devices might be called something like ‘Sarah’s laptop’ so you’ll know which ones are yours. You can also count the number of devices and see if that matches the amount you have.

How do you remove strangers from your Wi-Fi?

The quickest and easiest way to remove strangers from your Wi-Fi network is to reset your password. Make sure to use a secure password. The longer and harder to guess, the safer your Wi-Fi will be.

How can you protect your WiFi from hackers?

There are a few things you can do to protect your Wi-Fi from hackers, like:

• Regularly update your password
• Turn on wireless encryption
• Use a VPN
• Use a firewall
• Hide your network from view
• Turn off your Wi-Fi when you’re not using it

Desire Athow, managing editor at TechRadar Pro, says:

Cyber Security Basics

You can do some basic things to secure your devices:

• Perform system updates
• Update passwords regularly making sure they are strong
• Use multi-factor authentication
• Backup files offline

What is malware?

Malware is a term for any type of malicious software used to harm or exploit. Scammers use malware to infect your computer and take personal information.

What is phishing?

Phishing is a scam where attackers deceive you into revealing sensitive information by pretending to be people you know or reputable companies. Some phishing attacks are very sophisticated and look like communications from a legitimate company, like HMRC or Royal Mail.

How to get rid of a virus

If you think you might have a virus on your computer, there are some steps you can take to remove it from your device.

• Install a virus scanner
• Disconnect from the internet
• Reboot your computer
• Delete any temporary files
• Run a virus scan
• Change all your passwords
• Update your software, browser and operating system

How to save money on your broadband bill

There are some ways you could save on your broadband spending, including:

• Shopping around for the best deal
• Comparing prices
• Haggling with your provider

How can I protect my online data?

There are plenty of ways to protect your online data, including:

• Use strong, unique passwords - Create a different, long, complex password for each of your accounts, with a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as numbers and special characters
• Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) - Enable 2FA on your accounts for an extra layer of security
• Close old accounts - Delete accounts you don’t use anymore to reduce your digital footprint
• Keep software updated - Install software and app updates as soon as they’re released to ensure your devices have the latest security features
• Install security software - Use antivirus and anti-malware protection on your devices
• Secure your Wi-Fi - Use a strong password for your home Wi-Fi network and be cautious of public Wi-Fi
• Use a VPN - A VPN can add a layer of protection, especially on public networks, as it encrypts your traffic to keep it hidden from hackers
• Lock your devices - Make sure you use a password, PIN or biometric lock on each of your devices and always lock your screen when you’re not using it

Should I backup my data?

Yes. You should regularly back up your data to make sure you don’t lose anything if your device breaks or gets infected with malware. It also means you have a back up if you accidentally delete a file or if you lose your phone or laptop. And it makes it easier for you to access files on different devices.

How can I keep my internet family friendly?

There are plenty of things you can do to make your internet safer for the whole family. Here are our top tips:

• Set up parental controls on your Wi-Fi router - Most broadband providers, including Sky, EE and Virgin Media, let you set up free parental controls on your router
• Use safety features on device and app settings - Most apps and devices have built-in parental controls that are easy to enable
• Turn off in-app purchases - Make sure this is switched off on gaming apps and social media to prevent accidental spending
• Switch on web browser and app filters - Enable SafeSearch on browsers and set up content filters within apps to restrict what kids can see
• Schedule internet blackouts - Set internet black-out periods for homework or bedtime or use built-in scheduling features to limit when devices can access the internet
• Use strong passwords - Choose strong, unique passwords for each of your devices and accounts to prevent your kids from accessing content you don’t want them to see
• Keep devices in shared spaces - Keep devices like laptops and smartphones in common areas to make it easier to monitor what your kids are looking at
• Talk to your children - Have regular, open conversations about online safety, and keep an eye on what they’re doing online without blaming or shaming them

UK users are concerned about older generations and internet fraud

Research from Virgin Media O2 found that eight out of 10 people in the UK are concerned about older friends and family falling victim to online scams. It also found that 73% of people asked felt that older people were being deliberately targeted by scammers.

And this isn’t without reason. Virgin Media O2’s research found that 1.8 million people over 65 were scammed last year, losing an average of £831.

Cyber security tips

It’s important to stay on top of cyber security and know what things you can do to keep your online presence safe:

• Use strong, unique passwords
• Update passwords regularly
• Be aware of phishing scams, if something look suspicious, don’t click on it
• Update your software regularly
• Backup your data

One in three parents is most worried about their kids being scammed online

According to research by Vodafone, nearly one million kids were victims of online scams in 2024. It found that, while the average financial loss was £103, that the emotional cost was far more damaging. Eight out of 10 (81%) parents surveyed said their children faced anxiety, depression and mood swings after being scammed online.

Four out of 10 young people said their biggest fear when going online is scammers stealing their personal information, identity or money. And a fifth of the nation’s teachers have experienced their pupils being scammed online, reporting signs of increased anxiety, distress and conflicts in victims.

Almost nine out of 10 (87%) parents felt that tech platforms should be doing more to protect young people.

Make sure the internet is family friendly and keep children safe online

There are plenty of things you can do to keep your kids safe online and only able to see content suitable for them:

• Set boundaries
• Talk to them about their online presence
• Set time limits
• Enable parental controls on apps, devices and your Wi-Fi router
• Keep devices in common areas in your house to make it easier to monitor

How to set up and update parental controls

You can apply website blockers that will remove any chance of your children accessing age inappropriate content. This can be applied through the family settings of your broadband provider, on your child’s devices or through your antivirus software.

You can set up parental controls on your child’s laptop through Windows 10 or Google Chrome settings.

To enable parental controls on an iPhone, use the Screen Time feature in settings to manage access and content. You can then block or limit specific apps and features on your child’s phone.

To do this, go to Settings and tap Screen Time. Tap Turn on Screen Time, then tap it again to choose "This is My [Device]" or "This is My Child's [Device]". Then turn on and personalise content and privacy restrictions.

For more details, read our full guide on broadband parental controls.

Are romance scams at the heart of the problem?

Dating scams are a growing problem and can take many forms. One is romance fraud, where scammers seek to build a relationship with the victim and gain their trust before trying to obtain money from them.

Another is ‘sextortion’, where the victim is threatened with having explicit personal content shared in exchange for money or doing something against their will.

According to research by Barclays, one in 10 UK adults have been targeted, or know someone who has been targeted, by a romance scam. In the first three months of 2025, romance scams were up 20% year-on-year. Victims lost £8,000 on average from April 2024 to 2025, increasing to £19,000 for those 61 and over.

How to keep safe while dating online

We asked an expert for her advice on how to stay safe while dating online and the warning signs of romance scams.

Online dating coach, Kate Taylor , advises on the steps to take while getting to know someone online: “Keep all your messaging on the online-dating app or website until you’ve met face to face. Scammers will try to lure you away from the dating platform (saying their membership is expiring), but don’t. Keep messaging on the site, so if you start to feel suspicious you can report your concerns straight away.

FAQs

Is business broadband more secure than home broadband?

Yes. Business broadband is usually more secure than home broadband because it tends to include more advanced security features to protect you against sophisticated cyber threats.

Business plans often come with stronger firewalls, more sophisticated virus protection and options for VPNs to create secure remote connections.

Home broadband is designed for personal use and therefore doesn’t usually come with the higher levels of security necessary for protecting sensitive business data and operations.

How do I keep my email address if I change providers?

Some providers will let you keep your email address when you switch but some will delete it, so make sure to check with your provider. Those that let you keep your email might also charge you a monthly fee for this.

Is online banking safe?

While it’s natural to feel wary around keeping your money safe online, online banking is generally considered safe.

Banks have precautions in place to make sure your online account is safe, like using encrypted websites, timed logouts and multi-step verification processes.

Always use strong passwords when it comes to banking and note that your bank will never call you out of the blue and ask for things like your PIN number.

Do I need antivirus software in 2026 and can I get it free?

Yes. You still need antivirus software because cyber threats are always becoming more sophisticated.

You can get effective antivirus software for free, such as Bitdefender Antivirus Free, AVG AntiVirus Free, Avast Free Antivirus and Avira Free Antivirus as well as built-in options like Microsoft Defender. These options offer a solid baseline of protection but may not be strong enough for everyone.

It’s worth noting that antivirus software can’t protect you against things like phishing attacks, so you still need to have your guard up when surfing the net.

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[1] As of 11th March 2026, there are active broadband providers on the panel at Go.Compare