We are supporting Get Safe Online Day 2016

Approximately one in six adults now rely on devices such as smartphones and tablets for online access (source: Ofcom ‘Smartphone by default’ research).

Our own research shows that the phone-paid services market is increasingly mobile. In financial year 2015/16 revenues from mobile accounted for 70% of the phone-paid services market.

With an increased reliance on smartphones to access the internet, knowing how to stay safe on your devices is more important than ever.

Here are some general tips for staying safe online and where you can find help on what can be charged through a phone bill. You can follow what is going on today at #GSODay2016.

What should I know?
Make online safety part of your ‘life admin’. On Get Safe Online Day, we are encouraging everyone to start making every day safer by following a few simple steps:

• Review the passwords you use on your online accounts: Make sure they are strong enough and that you are not using the same ones for more than one account. Consider how you are going to remember them all – such as using an online password safe.

• Check your social media privacy settings. Make sure your information and updates are seen only by those you trust.

• Update your operating system and software programs/apps on your mobile phone and tablet if you have been prompted to do so. It takes only a few minutes and with your mobile devices, you can even do it while you are asleep.

• Back up your information – using reputable, secure cloud backup is a good way to save all your documents, photos, music, emails and other irreplaceable files.

• Check that your internet security software and apps are up to date and switched on.

• Watch our video showing what can be charged through your mobile phone bill.

On 31 October 2016, PhonepayPlus will re-name as the Phone-paid Services Authority. The new name makes it clearer to consumers what the organisation is and does and reflects the changing market for content, goods and services charged to a phone bill. From 31 October our new web address will be www.psauthority.org.uk.