Prefer to listen to our podcast on this topic? Please play the link below. How Organised Crime is Targeting Teenage Boys—and What Needs to Change We have previously reported on sextortion cases in the news, and raising awareness of the risks has long been a part of OSA training, but incidents of this alarming crime Read more about Update: The Sextortion Crisis[…]
In an era where smartphones are an everyday part of life, the UK government has announced new guidance backing schools in banning mobile phones throughout the school day, including break times. The aim? To minimise disruption, improve behaviour, and reduce issues like online bullying, distraction, and the negative impact of excessive screen time on young Read more about Government Supports Phone Ban[…]
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[…]
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![…]
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[…]
Video series – online safety for parents in 90 seconds. Update knowledge on bullying, grooming, sexting and more.
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?[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
This is the eighth in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. Get 2018 off to a good start by: Going to the “https://” version of every website Checking that your browser supports modern security algorithms Ensuring any websites you manage have SSL certificates too Go to the “https://” version Read more about Tip – use HTTPS everywhere[…]
This is the seventh in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. Even though we’re talking about staying safe online, “old-school” methods such as posters and leaflets have their place in raising awareness, and providing targeted information. Posters Posters can be a great part of a security awareness programme – Read more about Tip – use security posters and leaflets[…]
This is the sixth in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. If you’ve been reading the other tips so far, you’ll know the recommendations of: using a different password for each site using a password manager letting an automated password creator suggest a password for you. SplashData have done Read more about Tip – check you’re not using one of these passwords[…]
This is the fifth in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. Data breaches are becoming more and more common Even if you’re responsible with keeping your information secure, it seems that not every company who has your details is able to hold on to them securely. Deloitte – data Read more about Tip – check if your account was in a data breach[…]
This is the fourth in a series of 12 tips to help you improve your online safety. Schedule firmware updates Hopefully you’re in the practice of regularly applying patches to your computer(s) and mobile devices. It’s also best practice to check for updates to your Wi-Fi router firmware. 2017 saw exploits such as KRACK and Read more about Tip – secure your home Wi-Fi – part 2[…]