The Church of Scotland
The Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles
Cybersecurity Handy Hints for Congregations
Staying Safe Online: Protecting Yourself from Scams and Cyber Threats
We are sharing some practical steps to help keep your personal information and accounts safe. Please take a few moments to review these tips and share them with others in our church community.
1. Recognising Suspicious Emails
⬥ Check the Sender's Email Address – Fraudulent emails often come from addresses that look similar to legitimate ones but have small differences (e.g., ‘@bt-support.com’ instead of ‘@bt.com’).
⬥ Beware of Urgent Requests – Scammers often pressure you to act quickly, such as buying gift cards or sending personal information.
⬥ Look for Poor Spelling & Grammar – Many phishing emails contain errors that genuine companies would not make.
⬥ Do Not Click Suspicious Links or Attachments – These can install malware or steal your login details.
⬥ Verify Unusual Requests – If you receive an email from someone in the congregation asking for money or personal details, call them directly to confirm.
2. Strengthening Your Security
⬥ Use Strong Passwords – A good password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using obvious words (e.g., ‘password123’).
⬥ Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – This adds an extra layer of security when logging into accounts by requiring a second step (e.g., a text message code).
⬥ Keep Your Software Updated – Ensure your computer, phone, and apps are regularly updated to fix security vulnerabilities.
⬥ Use Secure Wi-Fi – Avoid logging into sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi without using a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
⬥ Backup Important Data – Store important documents and files securely, either using an encrypted USB drive or a trusted cloud service.
3. What to Do If You Receive a Scam Email
⬥ Do not reply or engage with the email.
⬥ Do not click on links or open attachments.
⬥ Report the scam email by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk (UK Government’s National Cyber Security Centre).
⬥ Mark the email as spam in your inbox to prevent future messages.
⬥ Inform the Presbytery Clerk if the scam is impersonating someone within the congregation.
4. Protecting Church and Personal Data
⬥ Be Cautious When Sharing Personal Information – Only share details with trusted individuals and organisations.
⬥ Secure Church-Related Data – If you have access to confidential church records, ensure they are stored in a password-protected and encrypted format.
⬥ Dispose of Old Devices Securely – If you replace your phone or computer, ensure all data is wiped before selling, donating, or recycling it.
5. Where to Get Help
If you suspect a cybersecurity issue or need further guidance, you can:
✔ Contact Isobel Laing for advice (ish.laing@icloud.com)
✔If you think you may have been the victim of cyber fraud or cyber crime, you should report it to Police Scotland (Call 101)
✔ Visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk for more safety tips.
By staying alert and following these simple security measures, we can protect ourselves and our church community from cyber threats. Thank you for helping keep our congregations safe online!
March 2025