Safer Internet Day - how safe are you?

Staying safe on the internet is a challenge for everyone in the technologically advanced world. As a result there are many institutions which exist with the sole aim of keeping you safe on the internet.

At the forefront is the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) at Europol which supports EU Member States in preventing and combating cybercrime or doing essentially as its motto suggests, “Tackling Crime in our Digital Age”.

Simply put, it IS the focal point of the EU’s fight against cybercrime.

Things can happen faster, more covertly and with farther reaching consequences in the virtual world than in the real world.

A special approach is necessary.

The Safer Internet Day provides a unique opportunity for EC3 to wholeheartedly stress the importance of adequate protection against the various forms of cybercrime. The Head of EC3, Mr. Troels Oerting, states:

'Today is an important day. It is Safer Internet Day. We all share responsibility for staying safe online and at the very least to protecting our own information. What we share and with whom we trust our information, are questions we need to ask ourselves. If an app or a service is free, you and your personal details might, in fact, be the end product. Often the security measures keeping you safe are inconvenient and might require some work - updates, password changes and general vigilance. But it is worth it. Staying safe means the crooks fail. Let us help you'.

Operating securely online is the responsibility of everyone who uses the internet, both privately and doing business. This duty applies in particular to those that also have responsibility for others; parents for children; businesses for clients, employers for employees. So: how seriously do you take that responsibility? Are your passwords safe? Is your information secure and protected against the latest malware? Do you consider why and with whom you share your personal data? Are those who depend on you adequately protected?

For these and other questions about online safety:

Safer Internet Day

All change starts with YOU!