Combating both Digital and Cybercrime within the Bailiwick
The High Tech Crime Unit was formed to combine collective knowledge and investigative capability involving digital media across all of Guernsey Law Enforcement.
It provides the ability to combat both "Digital & Cybercrime" elements that are now regularly encountered in day to day Policing .
Phones, computers and electronic devices can be a huge source of information to all manner of police investigations. As with general policing, digital forensic investigators work within the current legislation and recognised standard procedures but at the same time they also have to be inquisitive and able to adapt to new types of devices and technologies.
With the ever increasing amounts of digital data and devices, the HTCU is a very hectic and demanding department within Guernsey Law Enforcement. A recent pan-island initiative with the States of Jersey Police has linked together the knowledge and resources of both High-Tech Crime Departments to benefit both island communities with a more comprehensive capability to undertake these increasingly complex type of investigations in addition to improving both investigation times and information sharing.
Get Safe Online provides communities with up to date, real time information on current and emerging threats through the use of social media and the external website.
Top 10 Cyber Crime protection tips
1. Use Strong Passwords
Use different user login and password combinations for different accounts. Make the passwords more complicated by combining upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers and special characters and making them non attributable to yourself. Make use of a password manager to assist in remembering multiple complex passwords.
2. Secure your computer
Activate your firewall to assist in reducing connections to unknown internet traffic, in doing so keeping out some types of viruses and hackers. Help prevent viruses from infecting your computer by installing and regularly updating anti-virus software.
3. Be aware of your digital footprint
Ensure your social networking profiles (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) are set to private. Check your security settings regularly as the companies often adjust their settings and policies. Be careful what information you post online, once it is on the Internet, it is there forever for anyone to see!
4. Secure your Mobile Devices
Be aware that your mobile devices are vulnerable to viruses and hackers. Install anti-virus software and only download apps from trusted sources/stores. Use a passcode on your devices to assist in keeping your data secure should a device ever be lost or stolen.
5. Install the latest software updates
Keep your applications and operating system (e.g. Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS) up-to-date with the latest system updates. Turn on automatic updates to keep your Operating System up-to-date and help prevent potential attacks on older software.
6. Protect your Data
Use encryption for your most sensitive files such as tax returns or financial records, make regular back-ups of all your important data, and store it in another location or on a separate storage device.
7. Secure your wireless network
Wi-Fi networks at home are vulnerable to intrusion if they are not properly secured. Review / modify your routers default settings, ensuring your Wi-Fi connection is password protected. Public Wi-Fi connections, a.k.a. "Hot Spots", are also vulnerable. Avoid conducting financial or corporate transactions on these networks.
8. Protect your e-identity
Be cautious when giving out personal information such as your name, address, phone number or financial information on the Internet. Make sure that websites are secure when making online purchases by looking for "https://" or the padlock symbol in address bar.
9. Avoid being scammed
Always think before you click on a link or file of unknown origin in an email. Don't feel pressured by any email comments or titles. Check and verify the source of the message if you are unsure. Never reply to emails that ask you to verify your information or confirm your user ID or password.
10. Call the right person for help
Don't panic! If you are a victim, if you encounter illegal Internet content (e.g. child exploitation) or if you suspect a computer crime, identity theft or a commercial scam, report this to the Guernsey Police.
For more information and tips in relation to your personal Cyber security please on the link to our partners Get Safe Online.
If you have been the victim of Cyber Crime and would like more advice please contact Guernsey Police by telephone on 01481 222222.
Alternatively, incidents of cyber related crime can be reported through the Action Fraud online portal.
Please see the downloads for Coronavirus Cyber Security tips