Digital Inclusion Series — Collection 2
Six short videos covering passwords, secure connections, common scams, phishing, and what to do if you think you have been hacked.
An overview of what this collection covers and why online safety matters
Now that you have the basics from Collection 1, it is time to learn how to protect yourself online. The internet is a wonderful tool, but just like in the real world, there are a few things to watch out for.
These five short videos will teach you practical, everyday safety skills — from creating strong passwords to spotting scams and knowing exactly what to do if something goes wrong.
Each video uses plain English, is just a few minutes long, and you can rewatch any time. There is no test and no pressure — just useful knowledge to help you feel confident and safe.
Why does this matter? Scams and online fraud affect millions of people every year in the UK. The good news is that a few simple habits can protect you from the vast majority of threats.
You do not need to be a computer expert. If you can lock your front door, you can learn to lock your online accounts too.
Click any topic below to jump straight to that video.
Learn how to create strong passwords and keep your accounts secure
How to tell if a website is safe before entering personal information
How to spot online scams and protect yourself from fraud
How to recognise fake messages designed to steal your information
Step-by-step actions to take if your account has been compromised
Learn how to create strong passwords and keep your accounts secure
At least 12 characters long, mixing capitals, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Never use your name, birthday, or “password.”
Pick three unrelated words and combine them — for example, “PurpleBicycleSunshine.” Long, hard to guess, but easy to remember.
An extra layer of safety — a code is sent to your phone after you enter your password. Turn it on for email and banking especially.
How to tell if a website is safe before entering personal information
A small padlock in your browser’s address bar means the connection is encrypted — your information is scrambled so nobody else can read it.
Secure websites start with https:// (the “s” stands for secure). If it only says http:// without the “s,” the connection is not secure.
Be extra careful when using public Wi-Fi in cafés, libraries, or trains. Avoid entering bank details or passwords on public networks.
How to spot online scams and protect yourself from fraud
Pretend to be from your bank, HMRC, or Royal Mail with urgent messages demanding you click a link or share details.
Callers claim to be from your bank, police, or tech companies. Fake websites look almost identical to real ones — always check the address carefully.
You have not won a prize you never entered. And if someone you have only met online asks for money, be very cautious.
How to recognise fake messages designed to steal your information
Check the email address carefully — not just the display name. A phishing email might come from something like “your-bank@randomsite.com.”
“Your account will be closed” or “act now” — real organisations rarely pressure you. Watch for “Dear Customer” instead of your actual name.
Hover over links to see where they really go before clicking. Be cautious about opening files you were not expecting.
Step-by-step actions to take if your account has been compromised
Password change emails you did not request. Messages sent from your accounts that you did not write. Locked out of an account. Unknown bank transactions.
Change your passwords immediately. Turn on two-step verification. Check your email settings for forwarding rules you did not set up.
Contact the service provider for account recovery. Alert your bank if financial details may be at risk. Report to Action Fraud (or Police Scotland).
Key organisations and services to help you stay safe online and report problems.
The UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. Report online or by phone if you have been scammed or hacked.
actionfraud.police.uk →Forward suspicious emails to the National Cyber Security Centre. They investigate and take down fraudulent sites.
report@phishing.gov.uk →Forward scam text messages to 7726 (spells “SPAM” on your keypad). Your mobile provider will investigate.
Free guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre on how to stay secure online, with practical tips for individuals.
ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware →A UK government-backed website with plain-English advice on protecting yourself, your family, and your devices online.
getsafeonline.org →A free service to check if your email address has appeared in a data breach. If it has, change your passwords straight away.
haveibeenpwned.com →