TECHNOLOGY

Online safety in the UK: protect accounts, devices and payments

A small number of habits stop many everyday cyber incidents: unique passwords, two-step verification, software updates and a slower response to urgent messages.

A hand holding a smartphone beside a laptop and pencils on a table
Phone and laptop use, 2017 archive photograph by Chris Adamus (CC0), resized and converted to WebP. General device-use context; no security setting or person’s online-safety experience is implied. · Photo source · Licence
Published Updated 1 min readEditor: Felix Aaron
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Secure the important accounts

Start with email because it can reset other services.

Use a unique password stored in a reputable password manager and enable two-step verification. Protect banking, cloud storage and social accounts next.

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Update and back up

Enable automatic updates for phones, computers, browsers and connected devices.

Keep important files in a backup that is not dependent on one device. Before selling a device, follow the manufacturer’s secure erase process.

Pause before paying

Fraud often creates urgency, secrecy or authority.

Do not move money from an unexpected call or message; contact the organisation through its official app or a number you find independently. Check web addresses before entering credentials.

Respond and recover

If an account is compromised, change the password from a clean device, sign out other sessions, contact the provider and check recovery details.

Tell the bank immediately about payment fraud and use official UK reporting routes.

Protect children and gaming

Use age-appropriate accounts, privacy controls and purchase limits.

Discuss chat, location sharing, scams and in-game pressure openly; technical controls work best with a trusted route for asking for help.