Phishing - hints on how to avaid getting it all wrong.

A phishing attempt often arrives as an email, pop-up screen or text message created by criminals to gain personal security information by pretending to be from seemingly authentic companies. They can look very convincing at first glance as they copy branding, styles and logos. 

Phishing emails - so named because fraudsters use them to "fish" for information - attempt to entice people to provide sensitive information or take actions that a fraudster can exploit for financial gain or other malicious purposes. Within the message they then urge you to click on a link from an apparently real business that you may have used. From that site they trick you into giving away your personal security information. Some phishing emails even threaten dire consequences if you don't respond. 

Top Tips to avoid falling for a phishing scam: 

Tip 1
Think before you act - if it sounds suspicious, or too good to be true, it probably is. 

Tip 2
Never respond directly to an email request from a company for personal or financial information.
Instead verify the authenticity of the request by using an email or telephone contact that you know is legitimate. 

Tip 3
Never go to a web site from a link in an email you suspect to be fraudulent.
Instead enter URLs that you know are legitimate directly into your browser or by using bookmarks you created. 

Tip 4
If you unwittingly supply personal or financial information, inform the appropriate institutions immediately.
Banks and credit card companies will work with you to prevent your information from being used against you. 

Tip 5
If an apparently legitimate Web site that you have visited before prompts you for a password, enter an incorrect one first. A fraudulent Web site will accept an incorrect password while a legitimate one will not.

'Know your traffic signs' now on Directgov

The Department for Transport’s ‘Know your traffic signs’ booklet is now available on Directgov. You can go to an individual section for images and information on traffic signs, signals and road markings. Or, you can download the booklet in full, free of charge.
To take a look, go to direct.gov.uk/trafficsigns. 

Why know your traffic signs?
Traffic signs play a vital role in directing, informing and controlling road users’ behaviour in an effort to make the roads as safe as possible for everyone. This makes a knowledge of traffic signs essential. Not just for new drivers or riders needing to pass their theory test, but for all road users, including experienced professional drivers. 

Keeping up to date
We live in times of change. Society, technology and the economy all play their part in changing the way we travel. New road signs conveying new messages and in new formats are introduced from time to time, so drivers or riders who passed their driving test a few years ago need to keep up to date or run the risk of failing to understand or comply with recently introduced signs. 

Having experience is all very well, but it’s not enough if your knowledge is out of date.