October is Cyber Security Month. OK, it isn’t one of the big holidays – it’s unlikely you’re going to buy a tree or put up Cyber Security Month decorations (and where would you even get them?) – but it is a useful annual reminder that we can all do a little bit more when it comes to our online security.

Online scams pose a big threat (34% of people experienced a cyber scam in 2023), and scammers use a variety of methods online. It can be brutal, horrible and manipulative stuff – and the emotional toil can hit as hard as the financial burden in some cases.

Remember, Virgin Media Advanced Security is our top-level security solution. Provided by F-Secure – our award-winning security partner – it allows you to browse, bank and buy, worry-free. Sign up today for a no-commitment three-month trial – it won’t cost you a thing – and then download it on all your online devices to get going. After the trial, you can continue with it for £3 a month (or £30 a year).

To protect yourself from online dangers, it’s important to prepare before something happens. Here are our expert tips to help you stay safe from prevalent online scams.

Be wary of shopping scams

Convenience makes online shopping the first stop for many of us, but this can sometimes overshadow the risks posed by fraudulent websites and sellers. Scammers often create sophisticated websites that mimic legitimate retailers, offering huge discounts on popular products. These fake sites can compromise your financial information and personal data.

What to do when shopping online:

Research the seller before making a purchase. Conduct a thorough background check on the seller or website. Look for customer reviews and ratings from trusted sources to gauge their reliability.

Remember that reviews and ratings can be faked or bought. A security app that screens online stores and their reviews automatically saves you from the trouble of investigating shops.

Ensure the website uses HTTPS encryption. This is the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar and protects your sensitive information during transactions. Do not send any personal details or payments over HTTP, as it can be intercepted by criminals.

Exercise caution with unbelievable deals. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often lure victims with unrealistically low prices on high-demand items to exploit their trust.

Stay informed about investment scams

Investment scams prey on individuals seeking financial growth or stability, promising fast and lucrative returns with minimal risk. These schemes can take various forms, including Ponzi schemes, fake cryptocurrency investments and fraudulent trading platforms.

Before investing your money, there are the crucial steps to take:

Research the credentials and legitimacy of any financial advisor or investment company before committing funds. There should be plenty of information available on legitimate investment services. Can’t find any? Then don’t invest.

Be wary of investment opportunities that guarantee high returns with little or no risk. Remember, all investments carry some degree of risk, and legitimate advisors will inform you about potential risks and rewards.

Avoid pressure tactics. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt quick decisions. Take your time to thoroughly research and validate investment opportunities before making any financial commitments.

Guard against social media scams

Social media platforms offer scammers a broad audience and anonymity, making it easy for them to create fake profiles and exploit trusting users. Common social media scams include phishing attempts, fake giveaways and impersonations of friends or celebrities.

The most popular social media platform for scammers by far is Facebook – 78% of social media scams take place there. However, scams can be encountered anywhere.

How to protect yourself on social media:

Be cautious of friend requests from unfamiliar accounts or profiles with limited activity and personal information. Remember there is never any obligation to accept friend requests from strangers.

Do not share personal information, and don’t send money to unknown contacts – even if they claim they are your family member. If you aren’t sure someone is who they say they are, you can try to contact the person directly to verify – ideally in person or via video call.

Avoid clicking on links, even if they appear to be from trusted contacts. Scammers can compromise accounts and distribute malicious links that lead to phishing sites or malware downloads.

Don’t pay up front in social media marketplaces for used goods. Ask for a video or additional photos. And once again, avoid unbelievable offers.

Protect yourself from romance scams

Romance scams exploit emotions and trust, often beginning with a connection forged online. Scammers build relationships over time and manipulate victims into sending money or personal information under false pretences. Hundreds of millions of pounds are lost to romance scams every year.

Here’s what to do when engaging in online relationships:

Take time to get to know someone before trusting them with personal information. Be wary if the relationship progresses very quickly or if the person avoids face-to-face or video interactions.

Avoid financial transactions. Never send money, gifts or personal details to someone you haven’t met in person, regardless of their emotional appeals or suggested emergencies.

Seek advice from trusted friends or family members. Gain perspective on the relationship dynamics, especially if they’re trying to get you to send money or personal information.

What you can do to avoid online scams

Verify sources: Always confirm the legitimacy of emails, messages and websites. Small errors in sender email addresses and website URLs can often expose their fraudulent nature.

Use strong passwords: Create unique and complex passwords for each of your accounts and enable two-step verification (AKA two-factor authentication). A password manager can store these passwords securely and allow you to fill them in quickly when needed.

Implement shopping protection: Use a security app or solution that automatically identifies and blocks malicious websites and fake shops, keeping you safe even if you don’t notice the danger yourself.

Update software: Regularly update your devices and software to guard against the latest security threats.

Use antivirus software: Scammers may try to trick you into downloading malware. Antivirus software automatically blocks these threats.

Educate yourself: Stay informed about the latest scams and share this information with friends and family.

Report scams: If you come across a scam, report it to the relevant authorities to help protect others from becoming victims.

Trust your instincts + extra security = enhanced safety

In today’s online world, protecting yourself from online scams means taking a proactive approach and making decisions based on best practices. By familiarising yourself with the tactics we’ve covered in this guide, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to deceptive practices.

To help you fight the good fight, Virgin Media Advanced Security is always active, keeping a watchful eye out for phishing attempts and fake online stores. When it spots something suspicious, it’ll let you know long before anyone can steal your identity, passwords or bank details. But always remain vigilant, trust your instincts, and prioritise your online safety to mitigate the risks that come with life online.

Virgin Media Advanced Security

Virgin Media Advanced Security offers cutting-edge online protection powered by F-Secure, for as many devices as you like, for three months at no extra cost. Download Virgin Media Advanced Security on all your mobiles, tablets and computers to get going. We won’t ask for any payment info, so you don’t need to worry about sneaky auto-renewals or unexpected bills. After that, if you’d like to continue, it’s just £3 per month (or £30 a year).

Not only does it remove all existing malware, but it also prevents any future infections, keeping your devices clean for good.