As technology evolves, cyber crime will only increase and get more devious. The main attack is Phishing emails.

Growing rapidly is Ransom Ware - where the naughty people lock/encrypt your files rendering them useless until you pay a ransom. They will usually then unlock upon payment, because if rumour got round that they did not, victims would stop paying. However I was informed by an I.T. specialist that they often only unlock 75% and hit you for more or say tough luck.

Best solution - wipe the hard drive and reinstall the operating system, restore your back-up files.

Best protocol - have off-line back-ups as well as online.

• Offline back-up includes: physical discs CD/DVD; removable hard drive or flash drive as long as you unplug it when back-up is completed.
• Online back-up includes: additional internal hard drives; flash drives left plugged in; basically anything connected to your network via cable or wifi.

Best protection - unplug or disconnect anything that does not need to be connected; only connect your phone to wifi when needed, not constantly.

IF YOU DONT KNOW THE EMAIL SENDER, DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS OR ATTACHMENTS.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AN EXAMPLE OF A SUSPICIOUS EMAIL

CLICK HERE TO SEE A FRAUDULENT EMAIL SUPPOSEDLY MY MOBILE PHONE BILL

It is far better to have some unhappy customers or missed emails.

I take your data protection very seriously. Please note the following;

• All new email addresses have to be verified before I use them.
• I WILL NOT REPLY TO ANY REQUEST FOR YOUR INFORMATION UNLESS I HAVE YOUR VERBAL PERMISSION FIRST.
• e.g. mortgage's, renting reference, guarantee's. 
• Therefore please ensure you ring me prior to me being contacted each time. I will not accept email permission.

Thank you for you cooperation and understanding in keeping your data secure.