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Update for schools using Google logins

Important Update: Google Sign-In for Online Safety Alliance We want to inform you about changes to how you access Online Safety Alliance courses through Google Sign-In, especially if your school relies on Google credentials. These changes are set to take effect after October 23, 2023. To ensure uninterrupted access, your school’s Google Workspace for Education Read more about Update for schools using Google logins[…]

The Online Safety Bill

The Online Safety Bill Is Passing Into Law!

After years of slow progress, September 2023 has seen the Online Safety Bill pass the final steps required to become law. This groundbreaking legislation is set to have a huge impact on the digital landscape and child protection, but what does it mean for schools? In this summary video, the OSA explains what the Online Read more about The Online Safety Bill Is Passing Into Law![…]

Grooming Quiz Answers

Online grooming is an essential topic for all parents, carers and individuals working with young people to understand. Our image (shown above) raises just a few of the recent headlines relating to online grooming. Question One: Correct Answer: 5,000 According to data obtained by the NSPCC, the police recorded 5,161 crimes of ‘sexual communication with a Read more about Grooming Quiz Answers[…]

WhatsApp what are the risks?

WhatsApp – should parents be concerned?

WhatsApp has generally been seen as a safer social media option for children. However, schools are increasingly reporting that the platform is a source of problems, particularly with younger children. This page aims to provide parents and carers with sufficient information to ensure they are aware of the risks that come with the app, and Read more about WhatsApp – should parents be concerned?[…]

Tip – report phishing, vishing and smishing

This is the twelfth in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. We’ve seen the inexorable rise of phishing over the years – usually to get you to click a link which either downloads malware, or prompts you to put in personal details into a website. A successful variation in Read more about Tip – report phishing, vishing and smishing[…]

Tip – apply updates for computer chip problems

This is the eleventh in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. We’re just seeing details emerge of the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities in most CPUs powering mainstream computers and phones. CERT’s official recommendation is that the only way to guard against this particular problem is to replace your CPU with one that isn’t Read more about Tip – apply updates for computer chip problems[…]

backups

Tip – keep an eye on program updates

This is the tenth in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. System Administrators know (from sometimes bitter experience) that updates to systems and programs are meant to improve things (add features, fix problems), but don’t always do so. The sheer volume of updates to programs and apps can mean Read more about Tip – keep an eye on program updates[…]

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Tip – use administrator privileges sparingly

This is the ninth in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. In tip 5, we covered the fact that the Deloitte hack came about in large part because an intruder just needed to acquire a single password from an administrator of the firm’s email accounts Home and personal computers Read more about Tip – use administrator privileges sparingly[…]