Protect your digital footprint

Stay safe while you promote your business online

Your business may need to promote itself online.

So, you and all your colleagues need to know the safest way to do this.

All the places you visit and the things you put online leave a record. This is your digital footprint.

Fraudsters search online and on social media for details they can use for a scam. They can try to steal your business’ identity or pretend to be someone from work.

Stay safe while you promote your business online

Your business may need to promote itself online.

So, you and all your colleagues need to know the safest way to do this.

All the places you visit and the things you put online leave a record. This is your digital footprint.

Fraudsters search online and on social media for details they can use for a scam. They can try to steal your business’ identity or pretend to be someone from work.

Tips to protect your digital footprint

  • Protect the privacy of your business like it’s your home.

    Only put things online that people need to know. Keep important details private.

    When you use social media, only connect with people you know and trust. If you’re not sure who someone is, don’t connect with them.

    Keep your personal and professional social media profiles separate.

    You and all your colleagues should set personal social media accounts to private or friends only.

    Make it difficult for fraudsters to find anything useful.

  • Fraudsters open fake accounts or hack into other people’s accounts to send scam emails, texts or social media messages.

    They use links to fake websites, or that hide a computer virus, to steal your details.

    Always check a link is safe before you follow it.

    Call the sender on a number you trust to ask if it’s genuine.

    You can also use this website link checker on Get Safe Online. 

    But calling a sender should be the first thing you do.

    Learn how to avoid scam messages.

  • Create a different strong password for every account or site you or your business use.

    Avoid things that are easy to guess, like personal or work details.

    Fraudsters search all over to find details that may help them guess your passwords.

    Find out about password security.

  • Your business may need multiple login details to cover every colleague who uses our Internet Banking.

    Make sure everyone keeps their login details private to stop others gaining access.

    If somebody with login details leaves your business, tell us immediately so we can keep your account safe.

  • You don’t want your personal or business details to fall into the wrong hands.

    Fraudsters will use them to pretend to be you, your business or your contacts.

    Learn more about your digital footprint on our training video.

Learn about other scams and how to protect your business