Web safety

Cookies

It has to be said that clicking Accept all is the quickest way to get rid of the cookie question when you visit a new website.     Choosing the minimum of cookies often comes a close second, though. 

When you go into the settings many websites show all except the essential cookies switched off.      Scroll down to the bottom, click Save & exit and it is all done.

 Safety on the media

If you take things in via the spoken word better than the written word this page may be worth a try.      Click icon for our video and audio selection on web safety.

See Technical for information about the safety of this site.      See also:  Web safety -> Safe social networking” rel=”” href=”http://www.gain-grantham.co.uk/welcome/web-safety/safe-social-networking/”>Safe social networking        Get safe online

For an in-depth guide, Get safe online offers a UK based encyclopaedia of online safety.      Click icon to browse or brush up on the Websites

Their Safe internet use page has some handy bullet points for checking websites.       For example try clicking icons in web browser address bar – circled in red in example below.      The website information you get may vary according to which browser you use and browser extensions and addons in use. 

Passwords

Good passwords can make a big difference to online safety.    The password page from Get safe online recommends:

• Separate passwords for email accounts.
• If you write them down make it hard for others to guess them.
• They also discuss password manager apps.

Check out companies

Before spending money or giving personal details a website needs to be checked.      This can be tricky, especially if they are not well known companies.      Here is an introduction to checking out a company in the UK, with links at the bottom.

On-going project

Returning to dip into these resources from time to time could help to develop better awareness and produce better safety.      The online world is a bit different to the physical world.   

 Firewall

You only want one.      If you have more than one active at a time they may clash.      To increase security look for a range of different measures, such as browser extension/add-ons to cover more bases. 

To find Windows Firewall settings see:  Control panel -> Windows firewall

Anti-virus

For a sound introduction to the issues and context see Do you really need antivirus software?

For a guide to free options click Best free antivirus software .

Again, you only want one Anti-virus package.      You can have too much security.

Things to avoid

You may see adverts or find software on Google claiming to fix problems on your PC or speed up performance.      Treat these with a great deal of suspicion.