Cyber

Cyber

FREE EXTRA SECURITY FOR YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNTS

When it comes to your home, we all know the routine: lock the front door, check the windows, leave a light on connected to a timer switch, and maybe set the alarm if you have one. We do it to protect our homes without a second thought. But are you doing the same for your online life? Passwords alone aren't as strong as they used to be. Cyber criminals can guess them, steal them, or buy them from data breaches. If they get your password, they could have the keys to your email, your financial accounts, your personal information, and your fondest memories.

The Solution: Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV)

2-Step Verification (also called Two-Factor Authentication or 2FA) is like adding a second lock to your digital door. Even if criminals obtain your password, they still can't get in.

What is it?

2-Step Verification requires two different ways to prove it's really you:

Something you know – generally your password

Something you have – usually your mobile phone

Something you are – like your fingerprint or face

When you combine two of these methods, you get 2-Step Verification. This makes your online accounts much harder to break into.

How does it work?

Most online accounts now offer 2-Step Verification. Here are the common methods:

Text message codes: A code is sent to your mobile phone which you enter after your password.

Authenticator apps: Free apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator generate codes on your phone (often more secure than text messages).

Biometrics: Using your fingerprint or face to confirm it's you.

Security alerts: You receive a notification on your phone if someone tries to log in to your online account using a new device or from a new location. If you get such an alert and it was not you logging in, you can immediately log in to your online account yourself and change your password.

Why should I do it?

It adds extra security to your money: Stopping criminals accessing your banking or shopping accounts

It further protects your identity: Preventing people pretending to be you on social media

It increases the security of your information: Adding additional protection to your photos, your emails, and your personal / sensitive data

It will give you peace of mind: In most cases you will be immediately alerted if someone tries to access your online accounts

How do I set it up?

It's free and usually takes less than five minutes to set up.

Go to the Settings or Account menu of your online account

Look for Security, Privacy, or Login

Find and turn on 2-Step Verification or Two-Factor Authentication

Follow the steps to link your mobile phone or set up an authenticator app

Important: Please save any backup or recovery codes in a safe place just in case you lose your phone

Our advice

Start with your email account. Your email is often how you reset passwords for all your other accounts. If you secure that first, you instantly make everything else safer.

Then set it up for:

Online banking (although many banks routinely set it up for you)

Social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp etc)

Shopping accounts (Amazon, PayPal)

Any online account with personal or financial information

You can do this so take action today

Set aside five minutes today to turn on 2-Step Verification for your email account. It's one of the smartest things you can do to protect yourself online. Once you're comfortable with it, add it to your other important accounts. (Remember – Many banks will automatically have this set up for your online bank accounts).

Need more help?

If you need further assistance setting up 2SV, please go here - Turn on 2-step verification (2SV) - Stop! Think Fraud

Reporting

If you think you have been a victim of cybercrime, please report the incident to Action Fraud via phone (0300 123 2040) or via their website at Action Fraud

If you think you have lost money or given out sensitive financial information to scammers, immediately alert your bank / financial institution. Call them right away to inform them of the suspicious incident. You can quickly reach many UK banks' fraud departments by calling 159.

If you've received a suspicious email, please forward it to the NCSC's suspicious email reporting service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk

Forward suspicious text messages onto 7726

Please feel free to share this information with family, friends and your wider network of contacts.

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Mick Harrison
(Devon & Cornwall Police, Cyber Protect Officer, Devon & Cornwall)