Downloading & viruses guide

What are the risks of illegal downloading?

The ability to download music and films on demand and share information is a great benefit of the internet, but keep the following information in mind:

• Check what your children are downloading as the film and music industries monitor the internet for people downloading illegally and you’ll be held responsible for any illegal downloads your children make
• By downloading material from illegal sites, children risk downloading viruses or spyware at the same time. They can also be downloaded from emails, pop-ups or sharing files as well as USB drives and connected devices
• Bloatware, trojans, malware and worms can also be downloaded. These can do anything from taking control of your computer to slowing your device down
• Phishing and pharming are ways of getting hold of private information, either by sending emails pretending to be a genuine organisation such as a bank or building society or sending you to copies of genuine websites
• File-sharing websites usually need special software. If your children are using one to download illegal material you may find a related icon on the desktop.

Internet security tips for parents

Here are 5 top tips to help keep protect your devices from malware:

1. Use a password

Ensure your wireless connection is secured with an encrypted password.

2. Set your parental controls

Use parental controls to reduce the likelihood of children accidentally viewing inappropriate content.

3. Have active antivirus software

Keep your antivirus software up to date. You can set the software to automatically scan your computer, but make sure you monitor this regularly.

4. Keep your operating system and apps updated

Have the latest version of your operating system and apps installed on your devices.

5. Look for advice

Check in with your internet provider to get their latest advice on how to keep one step ahead of the cybercriminals.