From internet banking to shopping online, increasingly we are relying on connected technology in our daily lives. However, some people still lack access to a quality internet connection, and this is something we at CityFibre want to change, as we work to deliver our world-class digital infrastructure across the UK. We’re investing £4bn to bring full fibre network access to up to eight million homes and 800,000 businesses in towns and cities across the country.

Access to the internet brings with it a massive amount of benefits but, a word of caution that there are potential pitfalls with things like online fraud. With that in mind, it is important people make sure they protect themselves online.

There are many things we can do to stay safe, and lots of organisations exist to support this. For example, the National Cyber Security Centre has several top tips for staying secure online, including protecting your email with a strong, unique password, securing smartphones and tablets with a screen lock, and backing-up important data.

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For those who regularly use technology, this advice is easy to follow, however for those just learning how to use the internet it can be daunting. At CityFibre we recognise the importance of equipping people with the knowledge to stay safe online, and we have worked with groups such as the Silver City Surfers in Aberdeen, who help over 55s navigate the digital world and access advice on anything they need help with, including online safety.

Increasingly children are taking advantage of the opportunities which the internet provides, including learning, playing games, and watching videos. Children are using technology from an early age, with Ofcom reporting that half of ten-year-olds in the UK own a smartphone. While this brings with it many benefits, children must be equipped with the knowledge of how to protect themselves online.

There are lots of resources and information available to support this. The UK Safer Internet Centre, for instance, has developed its SMART rules for children going online, including:

•             Don’t share personal information

•             Don’t accept emails, messages, or calls from someone you don’t know

•             Tell a parent or carer if something online makes you uncomfortable

The NSPCC offers practical advice to parents and carers, such as guides on setting up parental controls on a range of technologies including games consoles, search engines and Wi-Fi.

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We must all do our bit to stay safe online and to make sure we keep others safe by reporting harmful content. If something doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t. Always make sure a request is from a legitimate source before providing personal information. If you do think you have fallen victim to a crime online, you can report it to the police or log it with Action Fraud.

The internet brings massive opportunities and in many cases is a force for good, and this is at the heart of our investment in the UK. We at CityFibre are also working with local community groups such as Citizens Online as part of this years’ #GetOnlineWeek from the 18th of October.  We’ve curated a range of free events that will take place as part of the campaign to help support everyone in being better prepared for an online world.  Sign up at GOW2021.com and #GetOnline and #GetConnected.