The latest Neighbourhood Watch Crime and Community Survey found that almost half (45%) of members were worried about experiencing cybercrime – this was member’s third highest worry, with only having your home broken into (49%) and antisocial behaviour (66%) being of more concern. 

Smart Security Tech 

At the same time, research commissioned by ERA in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch found that 75% of Neighbourhood Watch members own one or more smart devices. Internet-connected security solutions are continuing to gain popularity with homeowners too - the 2024 study of more than 18,000 Neighbourhood Watch members found that 39% were using external security cameras, while 30% had video doorbells.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Cybercrime 

It’s clear that cybercrime is a concern for many of us – so, what steps can you and your loved ones take to make sure you’re protected? Sumier Foster-Shah, Customer Service Manager at ERA, shares the simple actions that you can take to help keep yourself safe from cybercrime. 

“We all know that we shouldn’t be using the same passwords across multiple accounts and devices with cyber security in mind – but in reality, many of us will opt to use a familiar password to make sure we don’t forget it. The risk is that if your password is compromised on one account or device, then it may be on others, too. If you’re concerned about forgetting passwords, you may want to try a password manager tool, which can generate strong passwords for you, autofill passwords, and notify you if your security is compromised. 

“A further step you may choose to take is two-step verification – this is available for a wide range of online services, including those you want to protect most, such as banking and accessing your email via a browser. Whether you decide to verify your identity through a code, fingerprint, or facial recognition, this will add another layer of security which means it’s much more difficult for your information to be compromised. 

“If you opt to install smart tech into your home, such as a smart security system, make sure you choose products from a reputable brand. Check the support period for any smart home devices you purchase and avoid those which are no longer supported by the makers, or whose support period is ending soon. ERA’s range of smart alarm kits, and smart door locks, will be supported until at least January 2028.”

To learn more about ERA’s range of smart home security solutions, visit https://eraprotect.com