Security the key to internet safety

Feb 22 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SOCIAL networking sites are used by millions of people throughout the world everyday.

But it’s worrying to hear the story of Kirkheaton woman Michelle Malpas, who was sent messages by someone who hacked into a relatives account and requested money.

What she thought was an urgent message from her cousin saying she’d been robbed at knifepoint turned out to be a cruel hoax.

Although hacking is rare, it’s proof that it can and does happen and should serve as a warning to us to keep our email accounts and the like as secure as possible.

Michelle’s key message is that people should be on the lookout for imposters.

From banking to sharing pictures with friends on sites like Facebook, people rely on the internet in their everyday life.

Exactly how the hackers access people’s personal details is complex.

But keeping passwords and security details private is a must, as is being wary online.