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Please be aware of scams like this

Police are aware of reports emerging overnight where people have received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Police officer.

The officer will claim to be from a particular department, tell you that you have been a victim of fraud or scam, and begin to try and obtain further financial information from you.

People have been directed to go to the bank and withdraw money for evidence of the scam.

This is a scam – no legitimate Police officer will ever ask you to hand over money for any reason.

Overnight we have had five instances of this being reported, people need to be vigilant.

Enquiries into reports of scams of a similar nature received last week remain ongoing.

We appreciate these scammers are convincing, but New Zealand Police will never contact you and ask you to withdraw money.

New Zealand Police will also never contact people seeking their banking details, card numbers, PIN or passwords.

Older members of our community are being targeted and Police urge anyone with elderly or vulnerable relatives to make them aware this activity is a scam.

There are instances where legitimate Police officers will contact you as part of their duties.
Remember:

• Police will never ask for details about your bank cards, PIN or passwords over the phone.
• Trust your instincts.
• If something doesn't feel right, or is too good to be true, it probably is.
• If you are uncertain, ask for the officer’s details.
• Hang up, contact 105 and request the officer to contact you.
• Police aren’t in the business of offering prize money.

If you are in the unfortunate position of being a victim of a scam, please report the matter to Police.

Take the chance to upskill yourself on scam awareness, check for further information on the Netsafe website: https://netsafe.org.nz/

Quiz: Is it legit? Vetting news sources for credibility

Quiz: Is it legit? Vetting news sources for credibility What does “credibility” look like, and how can you recognize it in the news? Take the quiz to find out.

Join ID Support NSW for a free webinar with information to help you keep your customers' personal information safe.

In 30 minutes, you’ll learn how to reduce cyber security risks, what to do if a cyber incident occurs and more.

The live session begins at 11am AEST on Friday 19 July.

Book now at: www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/events/keeping-your-customers-personal-information-safe-webinar-3

Join ID Support NSW for a free webinar with information to help you keep your customers' personal information safe.

In 30 minutes, you’ll learn how to reduce cyber security risks, what to do if a cyber incident occurs and more.

The live session begins at 11am AEST on Friday 19 July.

Book now at www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/events/keeping-your-customers-personal-information-safe-webinar-3

This is very helpful advice for pet care professionals 🐾

If you want to know how IG actually distributes your content to your audience and non-followers, read the post Jenn's Trends has written here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8ViuwPClvA/?img_index=1

There's a very common myth among marketers that says Instagram only shows your post to 10% of your audience and then decides how many more to show it to based on the post performance with that initial 10%.

Fun fact: This is NOT how Instagram works.
It never has. It doesn't now.

If you want to know how IG actually distributes your content to your audience and non-followers, read the post on my IG account here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8ViuwPClvA/?img_index=1

Being online is helpful for sport coaches, officials and managers. Using apps, recording videos and staying up to date on social media all help with communication and sport performance.

Whether you’re a professional or volunteer, eSafety has information to help you stay safe online:

⚙️ Set up for safety – regularly review account privacy and security settings.
💪 Get familiar with your sport policies – look at information about online conduct and making a complaint.
📱 Manage your digital reputation – remember that what you say and do online matters.
🏆 Champion fair play online – support respectful and kind online behaviour, call out online abuse and help people around you.
❗ Know how to report serious online abuse – learn what to do if it ever happens to you or someone you know.

Visit eSafety Sport and help make sure everyone in sport has safer, more positive experiences online: https://news.esafety.gov.au/4c4iOai

4 Ways to Spot AI Generated Photos
AI image generators are getting better and better at deceiving us. Here are a few tips for spotting AI-generated photos — and why it might not be possible to tell them apart soon.

4 Ways to Spot AI Generated Photos AI image generators are getting better and better at deceiving us. Here are a few tips for spotting AI-generated photos — and why it might not be possible to tell them apart soon.

Using our acronym to be share A.W.A.R.E is a simple yet effective way to talk to your child about sharing content online and to consider a range of perspectives before posting.

A = Appropriate. Is the post suitable?
W = Who could see the post/photo/video? Who is in it?
A = Accurate. Is the post telling the truth?
R = Is the post respectful?
E = Environment. What’s in the post/photo/video?

More info about this here: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-release/afp-warn-online-users-over-rats-cyber-plague

The AFP is warning online users to protect themselves online following a recent surge in criminals attempting to steal and control the personal data of victims by tricking them into downloading RATs (Remote Access Trojans).

RATs are a type of malicious malware that secretly take control of a victim’s electronic device, allowing the installer to steal sensitive personal information and watch victims without their knowledge or consent.

These RATS come through in different ways, including downloadable email attachments hidden within ‘legitimate’ links, and computer video gaming add-ons or modifications, known as mods.

This is a reminder to practice good cyber hygiene and keep your software and virus protection up to date. Vulnerabilities in old or unprotected software are often the target for criminals wanting to take control over a system.

The AFP will continue to target and prosecute criminals purchasing the malware for illegal purposes such as gaining remote access to a victim's computer.

The dedicated men and women – the sworn and unsworn members – of the AFP do important work to keep Australia and Australians safe.

If you've been caught up in a data breach, stay calm but act quickly

Some breaches are minor and low-risk, but others can be extremely serious

You can't eliminate risk entirely, but there are steps you can take to increase your online security

Here are the steps on what you can do if you are caught up in a data breach

What to do if you've been caught in a data breach | CHOICE Data breaches can be a serious security threat. We outline the steps to take if your personal information has been stolen and give tips for avoiding potential scams.

From Jo Ebisujima:

You might not be aware the changes Google has been making.

In a nutshell, when you ask Google something it no longer points you to a reputable source, instead it feeds you AI answers often lifted from expert blogs/websites.

This is bad on several levels - first of all AI doesn’t know the difference between a reputable source and a site like The Onion, so without you doing due diligence you have no idea if the information is correct or utter nonsense

Secondly, thousands if not more, bloggers are losing their income over night because Google is no longer directing traffic to people’s sites.

What can you do?

When you google a question, ignore all the quick answers and drop downs at the top of the page - these are AI generated and whereas some info might be correct, it can’t be trusted.

Scroll down and click through to the actual site to find where the info is being sourced from.

And finally, support your blogging friends, make an effort to like and share posts, every little ❤️ helps.

-

Search wisely- have a look at what information is generated first and then keep scrolling until you find reutable sites and content.

You may have to take the time to do some lateral reading, and to think before you click

Here is online safety advice and support in more First Nations languages. Information on how to be safe online and what to do if things go wrong is now available in 9 community languages.

Find their popular animated videos in Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Islander Creole, NT Kriol, Kimberley Kriol, Arrernte, Yolngu, and more.

Learn in language: https://news.esafety.gov.au/4ake26P

We have released online safety advice and support in more First Nations languages. Information on how to be safe online and what to do if things go wrong is now available in 9 community languages.

Find our popular animated videos in Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Islander Creole, NT Kriol, Kimberley Kriol, Arrernte, Yolngu and more.

Learn in language: https://news.esafety.gov.au/4ake26P

Most people seem to read the news online to stay updated/informed

Here are a few things to know:

* News is accessible throughout the day

* Most news sites are categorised into different sections so that you can choose your favourite topics immediately.

* With Google news, you can move your favourite news into ‘favourites’ section and read articles later - https://news.google.com/

* There are also some mobile applications available for reading news that make it easy for you to get the latest news anywhere at any time. You can download a news app from your favourite paper: https://zapier.com/blog/best-news-apps/

* It’s almost free compared to paper newspapers and journals.

* It is updated constantly.

* If you Google or search for news explainer, there are quite a few sites online who break down and explain news articles. Have a search and pick the one you like best

* You can also listen to daily news briefings on Spotify, just have a search pick the one you like best

* There are sites that give you articles from different papers/places. Try Flipboard where you can curate topics https://flipboard.com/

* You can read similar articles from different papers and sources to gain more insight
Ground news does this: https://ground.news/
And so does smart news: https://www.smartnews.com/en

* You become aware of misinformation, bias, opinion pieces, and sources while reading which will make you more literate as well as enhancing your media/digital literacy

* As news online is available 24/7 try to incorporate good news items in your searches, as well as enjoyable topics, facts, and quirky/odd news as it can be very overwhelming and an overflow of information.

* Have a look at fact checking sites when you are in doubt or unsure: Everyone should fact check; this is how easy and quickly it can be done: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/news-literacy-project/everyone-should-fact-check-this-is-how-easy-and-quick-it-can-be-done

* Please check everything, read laterally, take note of bias, and don’t assume anything

List of good news websites:

Positive News: https://www.positive.news/

Happy News: https://happynews.com/

Good news network: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

Goodgoodgood: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/

A Plus: https://www.facebook.com/aplus/

The Happy Broadcast: https://www.thehappybroadcast.com/

Some Good News: https://twitter.com/somegoodnews?s=21&t=uLI55P5hDVRXCRJsW-8XWg

Quite a few newspapers have dedicated Good News sections on their websites that you can browse.

😊

Please stop giving people (and random strangers) any personal information which could lead them to guessing your passwords, security questions, and other information

If anyone asks you to participate in these please don’t.

Normally we don’t participate in any of these social media questionnaires, but today we figured hey, why not? 😀🤷🏻‍♀️

Keep checking everything you hear about, watch, are told about, see and come across anywhere on social media.

Try not to post/share anything until you have:
Fact checked, found original sources/posts/videos.
Wait until everything is verified.

Use THINK before you post …

THINK

Is it TRUE?
Is it HELPFUL?
Is it INSPIRING? Or INFORMATIVE?
Is it NECESSARY?
Is it KIND?

Go through each one very carefully.

THINK BEFORE you post, anything at all

Think Poster - Think Before You Post - Bullying Prevention Poster - Kindness Elementary and Middle School Classroom Poster - 12 x 18 inches - Laminated Think Poster - Think Before You Post - Bullying Prevention Poster - Kindness Elementary and Middle School Classroom Poster - 12 x 18 inches - Laminated

Make sure that you check your security settings, so that you can keep all of your devices nice and secure

Netsafe has created a simple guide on how to set up your devices to enhance your privacy and security online. 📝

You will learn how to:

🔒 Set up a strong, unique password
📲 Use two-factor authentication
📱 Check your device settings
⚙️ Check your app settings
🌐 and check your web browser settings

Learn more here - www.netsafe.org.nz/how-to-keep-your-mobile-devices-safe-and-secure

When was the last time you checked your security settings? 💭

Netsafe has created a simple guide on how to set up your devices to enhance your privacy and security online.

You will learn how to ⬇️

🔒 How to set up a strong, unique password
📲 Using two-factor authentication
📱 Your device settings
⚙️Your app settings
🌐 Your web browser settings

Learn more here - www.netsafe.org.nz/how-to-keep-your-mobile-devices-safe-and-secure

It’s always a great time to start conversations about using technology at home.

In collaboration with The Carly Ryan Foundation Inc., here is a family online safety contract that can assist in setting boundaries and expectations for your child’s online use and behaviour.

Follow the links in the comments.

It’s National Families Week, and today is the International Day of Families. We think this is a great time to start conversations about using technology at home.

In collaboration with The Carly Ryan Foundation Inc., we have a family online safety contract that can assist in setting boundaries and expectations for your child’s online use and behaviour.

Follow the links in the comments.

In this guide, you will learn the basics of misinformation. It explores the potential consequences of misinformation and how you can take steps to counter it.

There is information, games, and further resources to help you better understand the misinformation world.

LibGuides: Misinformation: Homepage LibGuides: Misinformation: Homepage

From the comments

Ahh, the aurora bearialis! 🐻 ❤️

Did anyone else see the Aurora Borealis over Norfolk last night?! One of our staff members captured this beautiful photo of the Northern Lights over the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library / The Forum, Norwich - absolutely stunning ❤️

Cute!

So, the Northern Lights were pretty incredible last night, right? Total bucket list moment... we're so pleased we were able to get a photo.

One to treasure forever 🥰

SCAM ALERT🚨

Beware of deepfake scams. Don't fall for the illusion. Protect yourself and your loved ones from digital deception.

Because of everything going on in the news, please take the time to take breaks and get off social media when it becomes overwhelming

Please remember that there is a lot of mis and dis information online (everywhere).

Not everything you hear/read about or see online is 100% verified or fact checked right away

Not everything is true, or comes from 100% reliable sources.

Pause.

Wait until anything is absolutely credible and fact checked before you post/share anything (videos, posts, news, articles, or anything else) anywhere - even just to friends or family.

Some things need time to be verified & carefully checked so try to wait a little until they are confirmed/verified.

THINK before you react, respond, and comment as well.

Especially if you are not 100% sure that something is true.

Commenting and responding to something when you are upset/being reactive is not a good idea.

Take a breath, drink some water, and only comment IF necessary.

Please look after yourselves right now, take breaks, as many as you need

If you need to - please contact support services in your country, here’s a list:

Find A Helpline | Free emotional support in 130+ countries Global vetted directory of helplines, hotlines and crisis lines. Chat, text or phone support with su***de, anxiety, depression, domestic violence, gender& sexual identity and more.

Here are 8 ways to protect your privavy online

8 ways to protect your privacy online Discover the eight things you can do to protect your privacy online and what to do when your personal information has been misused.

This Privacy Awareness Week (6 to 12 May), discover some of the ways you can power up and protect your privacy and personal information online.

Take a free, self-paced Be Connected course to find out about password managers, antivirus software, and more: https://news.esafety.gov.au/3yakQX6

This Privacy Awareness Week (6 to 12 May), discover some of the ways you can power up and protect your privacy and personal information online.

Take our free, self-paced Be Connected course to find out about password managers, antivirus software and more: https://news.esafety.gov.au/3yakQX6

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Cute!

Check everything: news, announcements, images, videos, updates, reports, and even numbers, surveys and stats on any social media platforms.

Media literacy, critical thinking and lateral reading is very much needed.

Here’s how to hone your media literacy skills

Hone your media literacy skills Critical thinking and media literacy skills are more important than ever. Do you know how to spot clickbait headlines and misleading articles? Do you underst...

It's !

AI is rapidly becoming part of our daily lives, and can be very complex.

Here are a few tips and tricks to help Helping Kids Navigate the World of Artificial Intelligence: https://comsen.se/43wOjET