A digital expert at Cumbria Constabulary has issued advice on how to protect yourself online in the festive season amid a rise in cybercrime.

Detective Inspector Fiona Gray told the public accountability conference there are a range of measures you can take to help prevent cybercrime.

DI Gray advised people to take a minute before opening links on emails particularly if they’re unexpected or contain spelling mistakes.

She added that you shouldn’t input your personal details directly from a link but go via a company’s website because people may be attempting to steal your account details with phishing emails.

The best way to protect yourself from phishing attacks according to DI Gray is to set up two factor authentication which means when you enter a website a code will get sent to your phone which you have to input to access your account.

She added if people are concerned about any online payments made to contact their bank.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall advised the public to go to Get Safe Online for simple advice and added: “We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves.”

This comes as figures revealed in the meeting state cybercrime in the 12 months to October was 8.3 percentage points higher than 2019 baseline levels and DI Gray warned this is probably an ‘underestimate’ of the true extent of cybercrime.

DI Gray stated that businesses are sometimes ‘reluctant’ to report cybercrime due to concerns over ‘reputational damage’.

Factors which have contributed to the increase in cybercrime include the increasing reliance on digital technology as well as people taking more risks in the cost-of-living crisis.

Another reason is the commodification of cybercrime with police reporting the availability of ‘hackers for hire’.

Mr Mcall said: “We have to accept policing nationally and internationally is playing a game of catch up.”

He stated the force is doing ‘what we can’ and said the ‘capable’ cyber team is working hard to tackle the crime.