My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

This topic is for Q & As run by Mumsnet. If you'd like to sponsor a Q & A, please email [email protected].

MNHQ have commented on this thread

Sponsored Q&As

Q&A about online security with National Fraud Authority and Dr Sue Black - ANSWERS BACK

13 replies

LucilleMumsnet · 27/01/2014 10:28

This week we are running a Q&A on cyber security with National Fraud Authority and Dr Sue Black. If you have a question about cyber security in your home, what you can do to ensure you and your family are 'Cyber Streetwise', or a question pertaining to a specific aspect of using the internet safely then Sue will be happy to help.

Sue is currently working with the Home Office and National Fraud Authority on the government's 'Cyber Streetwise' campaign which aims to change the way people protect themselves while online, in order to avoid falling victim to cyber criminals.

Psychology and tech experts tell us that people don't always pay as much attention while online as they do when in the 'real world'. For example, you wouldn't leave your handbag open while shopping, so you should also be careful when entering your credit card details online. The speed of technology means we often forget the simple things we can do ensure we are secure online.

Sue is an award-winning computer scientist and radical thinker, who brings people together to solve complex issues. She's a senior research associate in the Department of Computer Science at University College London, who is a champion for women in computing and recently launched Savvify, a social enterprise which aims to empower people through technology. Savvify is currently running #techmums a program to get mums tech savvy.

Post your questions to Sue before 9am Monday 3rd February and we'll send over a selection and post her answers up on this thread on the 10th February.

Q&A about online security with National Fraud Authority and Dr Sue Black - ANSWERS BACK
OP posts:
Report
MumofDockgreen · 28/01/2014 12:08

I am a Safe School Police Officer in South London. Investigating teenage cyber crime often bullying and sextexting.

It is very difficult, as often the children and their parents do not want to make a statement and go to court. I can full understand this but, it is very difficult to convince the powers that be that even though the victim doesn't wish to go to court, we do need to find out who the bullies are and nip their behaviour in the bud.
The process is apparently very expensive and websites not very helpful and I still think invoice the police for seraches and investigations...this might have changed recenetly.

We have a lot of training in fraud and work with CEOP on the very serious cases but none on low level misuse of the internet and social media. We need to find inexpensive ways of putting a case forward to find out who is sending the messages and using meditation between the parties, as there is often lots of sides to the various stories.

Sometimes I find the person sending messages by their mistakes on-line. When I do find the child who has commited offences and arrange a meeting with teenagers, parents, school and myself we have very positive outcomes with children having more general faith in Law and Order.

Can you speak to the Powers that be to speak to us Safer School Police Officers and put protocol in place that helps us investigate these crimes without resorting to court.

I would love to attend one of your courses.

Sorry for my slap dash e-mail but I have to go to work now and social media sites are blocked at work.

Welcome any advice from other investigators in this problem.

Report
tryingreallytrying · 30/01/2014 22:35

What steps do you recommend to keep kids safe on a tablet as opposed to a 'normal' computer - I'd like to set up separate accounts for my kids on the tablet and then set security settings for each - but am not sure if this is possible on older tablets running Android 4.1 or 4.2. (I know you can do this Android 4.3 but that only applies to a few tablets). If it is, could you or someone tell me how to do this? I'd like to limit the apps they can access and also the internet they can access eg appropriate content only. Plus stop them buying stuff inadvertently!

Thanks.

Report
spooktrain · 31/01/2014 09:59

My question is really the same as the one above, except for Ipad. Are there any kids' protection apps you would recommend? My sons are 11 and 9 and I don't know where to start. I try to be around, looking over their shoulders now and then just to keep an eye on what they're doing, and frequently check their browsing history, but this won't be a viable option forever.
Neither of them are on FB or whatsapp (while most of the older one's friends are) but it's only a matter of time.
I'm also concerned about protection for smartphones - what I should look out for, software etc. , as no 1 son will probably be getting a phone in the next couple of years.
Thanks for your help.

Report
Cindy34 · 01/02/2014 20:07

When using debit / credit card some sites will come up with Secure Code, the thing were the card issuer requests a verification code.
How come that does not happen for all transactions? Surely it is a bit like chip&pin, in that to use the card the code needs to be entered.

Report
ProphetOfDoom · 01/02/2014 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mercibucket · 02/02/2014 17:31

how do we make phones and tablets more secure?
how can we make xbox more secure - for payments and for playing games? i know i have settings but like most kids mine play 18 rated games eg cod and i cant manage to work settings on those

Report
HomeHelpMeGawd · 02/02/2014 19:56

Dear Dr Black. I have recently learned that a huge range of my online activity has been compromised, and the details shared with a range of undercover organisations both in this country and abroad, none of whom appears to have any qualms about using the details to carry out activities that are quite definitely not in my interest. Perhaps you could take a trip to Cheltenham and Maryland to tell them to stop it? Failing that, what steps would you recommend to make sure that my online activity is secure from your less scrupulous colleagues in GCHQ and their brethren overseas?

Report
HomeHelpMeGawd · 02/02/2014 19:57

I surely cannot be the only person who is feeling irritated and patronised by this campaign in light of the Snowden revelations.

Report
LucilleMumsnet · 24/03/2014 16:00

Sorry for the delay, we now have Dr Sue's answers back and will be posting them up shortly.

OP posts:
Report
DrSueBlack · 24/03/2014 16:17

@tryingreallytrying

What steps do you recommend to keep kids safe on a tablet as opposed to a 'normal' computer - I'd like to set up separate accounts for my kids on the tablet and then set security settings for each - but am not sure if this is possible on older tablets running Android 4.1 or 4.2. (I know you can do this Android 4.3 but that only applies to a few tablets). If it is, could you or someone tell me how to do this? I'd like to limit the apps they can access and also the internet they can access eg appropriate content only. Plus stop them buying stuff inadvertently!

Thanks.


You’re right, older versions of Android don’t offer the same level of control as newer versions. You could set up individual user accounts quite easily – just go into ‘Settings’ then ‘Users’ and follow the steps to create new accounts. But the caveat here is that you can’t then put controls on apps, internet usage or anything else. I’m afraid your best bet is to try and keep an eye on your children while they use the tablets, and try and instil a few ground rules in them!
Report
DrSueBlack · 24/03/2014 16:18

@spooktrain

My question is really the same as the one above, except for Ipad. Are there any kids' protection apps you would recommend? My sons are 11 and 9 and I don't know where to start. I try to be around, looking over their shoulders now and then just to keep an eye on what they're doing, and frequently check their browsing history, but this won't be a viable option forever.
Neither of them are on FB or whatsapp (while most of the older one's friends are) but it's only a matter of time.
I'm also concerned about protection for smartphones - what I should look out for, software etc. , as no 1 son will probably be getting a phone in the next couple of years.
Thanks for your help.


Devices running iOS (Apple’s mobile operating system) are very easy to set up with restrictions that prevent children doing what you don’t want them to do. Just go into the ‘Settings’ on your iPad or iPhone, select ‘Restrictions’ and then follow the instructions. Apple provide a handy visual guide to this process here. The newer versions of Android, which you’ll find on many other smartphones and tablets, can be set up in a similar way. Go into ‘Settings’, then ‘Users’ and you can create a new user account for each child, and manually select which aspects of the device, internet and app usage you would like to restrict and how.
Report
DrSueBlack · 24/03/2014 16:19

@Cindy34

When using debit / credit card some sites will come up with Secure Code, the thing were the card issuer requests a verification code.
How come that does not happen for all transactions? Surely it is a bit like chip&pin, in that to use the card the code needs to be entered.



SecureCode is a Mastercard tool that online retailers use to add an additional layer of security to your transaction. Visa have a similar system called Verified by Visa. They’re a brilliant idea, and provide an extra layer of protection to stop unauthorized use of your card. Not all retailers participate in these initiatives though, which is why you won’t come across this all the time.
Report
DrSueBlack · 24/03/2014 16:21

@mercibucket

how do we make phones and tablets more secure?
how can we make xbox more secure - for payments and for playing games? i know i have settings but like most kids mine play 18 rated games eg cod and i cant manage to work settings on those


Have a look at my response above on making smartphones and tablets more secure. There are a few steps you can take to make sure your Xbox is secure, there’s a really good guide here. You can also set up parental controls, which will go some way to letting you take charge of what your children play and when. However, I don’t believe it is possible to set up controls for a game specifically.
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.