Stay smart online: safeguarding your information

Blogs

2 October 2024

If you've just started your Chevening journey, remember to watch out for scams. Follow our tips to help you stay safe online.

Studying in the UK is an exciting opportunity, but it’s crucial to remain vigilant online.

Navigating online spaces in the UK carries risks similar to those in any country. Understanding online threats and knowing how to protect your personal information is essential.

Follow our top tips to stay one step ahead of online threats.

Online risks

• Phishing scams: Fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from trusted sources aiming to steal your personal information and data.
• Impersonation fraud: Scammers posing as someone you know or trust to deceive you into providing money or personal information.
• Counterfeit goods scams: Websites or advertisements offering fake products that mimic genuine brands, often at significantly lower prices.
• Social media scams: Profiles that disseminate false information or products, containing malicious links designed to steal personal information, such as bank details, through social media messages.

Top tips for staying safe online

• Use strong passwords: Create long passwords that incorporate a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid easily guessable information like your name or birthdate.
• Exercise caution with links and attachments: Refrain from clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources, as they may contain malware or lead to phishing sites.
• Verify websites: Before entering personal information, ensure the website is secure. Look for ‘https://’ at the beginning of the URL and a padlock icon.
• Limit sharing personal information: Be cautious about disclosing personal details such as your address, phone number, or financial information online.
• Be sceptical of unsolicited messages: If you receive an unexpected message requesting personal information or money, approach it with suspicion. Verify the sender’s identity through an alternative method.

Support from Chevening

If you’ve fallen victim to cyber-crime or have concerns, please:

Make sure you delete any posts that may contain personal information and change your passwords on your social media accounts.
Consider reporting the incident to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime.
Contact your university’s welfare or counselling support team if you need further support.
If you ever feel like you’re in immediate danger during your time in the UK, please remember that the number for emergency services is 999.

</p> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What is phishing?</h3> <ul> <li>A type of computer virus</li> <li>A method used by scammers to trick you into giving out personal information</li> <li>A type of online game</li> <li>A type of fish</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What should you do if you receive an email from an unknown sender asking for personal information?</h3> <ul> <li>Forward the email to your friends</li> <li>Ignore the email</li> <li>Reply with the requested information</li> <li>Click on any links in the email</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What is a sign of a secure website?</h3> <ul> <li>A website that starts with ‘http://’</li> <li>A website that starts with ‘https://’</li> <li>A website that ends with ‘.com’</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What should you do if you suspect you’ve been scammed online?</h3> <ul> <li>Delete your online accounts</li> <li>Try to track down the scammer yourself</li> <li>Report it to your local law enforcement and contact your bank</li> <li>Ignore it and hope it goes away</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What is a common sign of a scam email?</h3> <ul> <li>The email is written in perfect English</li> <li>The email is in your spam folder</li> <li>The email is from a company you know</li> <li>The email addresses you by your first name</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="MultipleChoice"> <h3>An email claiming to be from HMRC asks you for a missed payment, what should you do?</h3> <p><p>Applies to current Chevening Scholars only.</p></p> <ul> <li>Reply to the email, giving your bank details</li> <li>Call the number provided on the email</li> <li>Do not respond to the email and contact your Programme Officer for support</li> <li>Ignore the email</li> </ul> </section> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>

Online risks

Top tips for staying safe online

Support from Chevening

Related news

Commencing your Chevening journey in the UK: Tips from a current scholar

A Chevening Scholar’s guide to managing your finances in the UK

On cloud nine: A Chevening Scholar’s guide to a sunny day in London