10.5m Suspicious Emails Recorded In 2 Yrs

Since the GCHQ’s Suspicious Email Reporting Service launched nearly two years ago, it has received more than 10.5 million incidences of suspicious emails.

Consequently, more than 76,000 online scams have been thwarted, including ones that were set to attack cryptocurrency investments, the NHS, and delivery companies to name a few.

Lindy Cameron, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is part of the GCHQ, noted the public response to the service has been “incredible”, helping to remove a significant number of cyber crimes.

However, she noted: “There is even more we can do.”

The government is launching a new campaign called Cyber Aware to encourage a greater take-up of online security.

It recommends both individuals and businesses use a two-step verification process and passwords of random words, as these make it harder for cyber criminals to access private accounts.

The campaign, which is being promoted on nearly 2,000 billboards, as well as on TV and online, is intended to “make life even harder for the scammers”.

Home secretary Priti Patel said: “It’s particularly important at times of heightened international tension that we are all vigilant to the risk of cyber security breaches.”

Indeed, the NCSC has warned the public there could be a surge of cyber attacks due to the unrest between Russia and Ukraine.

The organisation advised the public to ensure their cyber security is up to date, as there has been a “historical pattern of cyber attacks against Ukraine with international consequences”.

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