Cyber crime continues to grow at an alarming rate - to the point where in the last year alone there were six million reported incidences of fraud and cyber crimes. Yet digital skills training hasn’t evolved to reflect the changing nature of the internet and the necessity to better protect ourselves from criminals online.
Recognising the need to help more people tackle the emerging challenges of the digital world, TalkTalk and Good Things Foundation have launched a new internet safety and security learning course, designed to build knowledge, confidence, and prepare people for what it means to be online today.
The course, called ‘Staying Safe In Your Digital World’, was developed in consultation with leading not-for-profit organisations Get Safe Online and Internet Matters and marks an industry first in the four organisations coming together to promote both digital inclusion and online safety.
The learning modules highlight common online threats, provide expert advice on topics including protecting personal information online, and equips learners with the tools to spot telephone and online scams. Learners will also have access to a downloadable guide with advice and information.
‘Staying Safe In Your Digital World’ launches on Get Safe Online Day (Tuesday 18th October) and will be available in over 5,000 Online Centres nationally. It will also be shared with TalkTalk’s broadband, TV, landline and mobile customers.
Dido Harding, TalkTalk Chief Executive, says: “We are passionate about getting more people online because the internet can be a great force for good. But just as in the physical world there are also threats and dangers in the online world. In encouraging everyone to come online, we also have a responsibility to make sure we are providing the knowledge and tools to help people stay safe online from day one.”
Helen Milner, Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation commented: “We’re pleased to be working with TalkTalk to tackle one of the key barriers that prevent people from getting online: the concerns people face around keeping themselves safe and secure. With the digital world evolving at such a rapid pace, companies have a responsibility to help promote online safety to truly support those with little or no digital skills.”
Ivi Paduim-Quan an ICT tutor who trialled the ‘Staying Safe In Your Digital World’ learning course said: “I think this course is a great addition to Learn My Way, safety is big issue for our learners and this course focuses on the latest safety issues that people face, particularly when it comes to social media, I'd recommend this course to other UK online centres to use with their learners"
Protecting against online threats
In addition to improving digital skills within the community, TalkTalk also leads a nationwide campaign to tackle the growing threat of online and telephone scams. This summer the value for money provider launched Beat the Scammers - a nationwide awareness and education campaign in partnership with Get Safe Online.
As part of the campaign, the company was the first telecoms company to launch ‘Nevers’ - new guidelines outlining information it will never ask customers for, designed to help identify suspicious calls, texts and emails. The company has also improved its scams report and block service and now blocks around 170 million scam emails a day, as well as 92 million scam calls a month, more than double the amount from a year ago.
Over the years in which TalkTalk and Good Things Foundation have been working together hundreds of TalkTalk employees have become Digital Champions, volunteering at Online Centres to support some of the 12.6 million UK adults lacking basic digital skills.
TalkTalk employees can also take up to a week volunteering leave to support a charitable cause of their choice.
For more tips and advice about how to outsmart the scammers go to TalkTalk’s dedicated online hub: talktalk.co.uk/beatthescammers.