Help for Cable customers

Identity theft is a serious Internet risk these days. Someone can steal your name and address, bank details, username, password or other details. Using this information, they pretend to be you and open fake bank accounts, take out loans, or use your credit card.

The most common way thieves can get a hold of your details is on what are known as “phishing” websites; websites that pretend to be well-known banks, or any institution that deals with your finances and personal information. Phishing sites exist in order to trick you into entering your details where they can be conveniently collected by fraudsters.

You can find out more by reading: What is phishing?

Taking preventative measures

• Legitimate organisations will never send you emails asking for personal information or asking you to update your details. No matter how authentic an email or a caller might sound, it’s always better to call the organisation directly.



• Avoid using your own name or email address in chat rooms and on message boards.
  
  
• Be careful about where you list your personal details. Online shops, social networking sites and so on. Some sites may be set up just to steal your personal information.
  
  
• Use a different email address for signing into services and buying products. Keep your personal email address for key services where you need to receive emails and for contacting your friends and family. This may also help you avoid receiving unwanted spam.
  
  
• Look out for dodgy sites. Get wise about how to spot fake sites. Check the web address and the tone of the site. Often phishing sites are slightly different, if only minutely. If you are suspicious then don't use them, or telephone using a legitimate phone number to verify they are who they say.
  
  
• Use different passwords for different logins. Most people log into multiple services using the same email address and password. Organisations like banks may be well protected, but even large corporations like Sony and social networks like Twitter have been vulnerable to hacking in the past. If you use the same password for every account a data thief may only need to penetrate the defences of one site to have access to all of your accounts. Simply adding one number to your password for each site can make a difference.
  
  
• Check your bank and credit card statements in case you are a victim.

Upgrading from Virgin Media Security to Virgin Media Security: Identity+ will allow access to a range of additional features including Web Privacy Controls and DataPatrol. In addition to the many preventative tools available within Virgin Media Security, these two features will help you keep track of when your data is being transmitted, as well as warning you if it has found its way into the wrong hands.

For more details on DataPatrol and other security features you can read the article: What exactly is Virgin Media Security?

You should also read: What is Virgin Media Security: Identity+ and why should I upgrade?