A new newsletter from ITSAFE, the government organisation monitoring internet security threats have released another newsletter.   Here are the key highlights:

• Top ten safety tips

• Update news

• Password advice

Top ten safety tips

Get Safe Online contains free, independent advice for anyone who uses the internet. It was developed by HM Government and leading companies as a public service.

1. Use the latest version of your computer’s operating system
2. Use firewall software
3. Use anti-virus software and update it regularly
4. Keep your computer software up-to-date
5. Use anti-spyware programs
6. Protect your wireless network (if you have one)
7. Filter out unwanted emails
8. Make regular backups of your important data
9. Protect your computer(s) against theft and damage
10. Be wary of online fraud, identity theft and scams

For more information see www.getsafeonline.org.

Update news

• Windows Anti-spyware, a useful, free program for blocking spyware has been renamed Windows Defender and you can download the new version from www.microsoft.com/spyware.
• An update to the popular Firefox web browser was released in February. You can download version 1.5.0.1 from www.getfirefox.com

Password advice

Most of us use passwords for online banking and logging into our computer and services online. But a password that is easily guessed is almost as insecure as no password at all. So here are our top tips for secure yet easily-remembered passwords:

• Long passwords are better than short ones.
• Combinations of letters, numbers and punctuation (e.g. £$%&! etc.) are hardest to guess.
• Avoid the obvious like using your name or just “password” as your password.
• Change passwords regularly.
• Try to avoid writing passwords down, especially anywhere near the computer they unlock.
• Don’t tell other people what your password is, whether by email or in person. Criminals can be very persuasive!