Police welcome launch of Connect Smart week

Police welcome launch of Connect Smart week

16 June 2014

Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess welcomed today's launch of Connect Smart week.

Connect Smart week (formerly Cyber Security Awareness week), which will run nationwide until 22 June, aims to make New Zealanders aware of the threats that a digital security breach could pose to them and their families. It will also provide the public with simple solutions to increase their safety online.

Mr Burgess said that electronic crime is a rapidly evolving area where individuals need to be aware of, and responsive to threats.

”In the same way that people lock their cars and take care of their handbag or wallet, people need to ensure they take similar precautions online,” Mr Burgess said.

“Improving your digital security is easy. It is not complicated or expensive to take basic steps to protect yourself and your personal information.”

“Protecting yourself also protects friends, family and work. If your personal information is compromised it is more than an inconvenience and can have major consequences for you and everybody you know.

"Educate family members about basic online safety, the risk of a breach is not limited to the individual who owns the device.”

Mr Burgess stressed that security measure are key for all your devices. “It’s as important to be secure on your smartphone and tablet as it is on your PC,” he says.

“Today, smartphones can contain more sensitive information than your computer - or your wallet - and often have minimal, if any security measures,” Mr Burgess said.

"The expansion of the internet and telecommunications technology has offered immense opportunities for people keen to separate you from your money."

Although the technology may have changed, Mr Burgess said that fundamentally, scam prevention advice remained commonsense.

"Keep your wits about you. If something sounds too good to be true it usually is. Don't respond to emails saying you won the lottery - you haven't - it is always a scam, and don’t send money overseas to people you have met on the Internet."

“Don’t wait until it’s too late – be proactive, improve your digital security now before you become a victim.”

Visit www.police.govt.nz/news/featured/police-urge-people-watch-scamming-video to view a Police video discussing prevention advice regarding scams and online security.

ENDS

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