Dorset Alert

Dorset Alert is a two way community messaging system operated by Dorset Police, which allows us to exchange information with you by email or phone at no cost to you. The system is designed to allow people who register, to choose the type of information they would like to receive concerning crime and anti-social behaviour, witness appeals, crime prevention, community events and local good news.

Dorset Alert Website

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Cyber crime

Dorset Police as part of its CyberSafe campaign, is encouraging Dorset residents to ensure elderly and vulnerable relatives are kept safe online. 
 
Unfortunately there are cyber criminals out there waiting to commit fraud and dupe people out of their savings.  
 
It is very easy to clone a real website and does not take a skilled developer long to produce a very professional-looking, but malicious site.
 
Be wary of malicious, criminal or inappropriate websites.
 
Follow and advise others to use the basic steps below to use the internet safely:

How to be safe

• Check that a websites address is genuine by looking for misspellings, or a completely different name from what you would expect.
  
• Roll your mouse pointer over a link to reveal its real destination. Beware if this is different from what is displayed in the text.
  
• Do not enter personal information on a website that has no padlock in the browser or https:// at the beginning of the address.
  
• Websites which request more personal info than you would expect are probably malicious
  
• Check the address in the browser address bar to ensure it matches the address you typed
  
• Always get professional advice before making any investment decisions. Promises online of high returns are often fraudulent.
  
• Be wary of websites which promote schemes that involve the recruitment of others, receiving money for other people or advance payments.
  
• Be wary of websites that are advertised in unsolicited emails from strangers.
  
• Some cookies can be used by criminals to build a profile of you with a view to fraud.
  
• Use an anti-spyware program that scans for so called tracker cookies.
  
• UK websites must gain your permission to enable cookies.
  
• Always ensure you are running the latest version of your chosen browser.
  
• Ensure you have effective and updated antivirus/antispyware software and firewall running before you go online.
  
• Visit GetSafeOnline and cybersafe.dorset.police.uk for help and advice.