Free cyber security course will help keep people safe...

Protect yourself with a free cyber security course at Newcastle

The latest ways to protect online privacy are at the centre of a free cyber security course being offered by Newcastle University’s School of Computing Science.

Recent figures released by the Crime Survey for England and Wales highlighted more than two million computer misuse offences, with a sharp increase in cyber crime.

And now experts at Newcastle University are offering everyone – including anyone working in cyber security or IT who wants to enhance their knowledge – the opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest methods of keeping safe online.

The free, three week online course, which begins on 20 March, will explore the latest research into cyber security and give practical advice on issues such as privacy online, payment safety and security at home.

Research carried out by the university last year highlighted how criminals can take as little as six seconds to work out credit card security details, leaving people open to their bank accounts being compromised.

“Cyber security is a massive issue that affects everyone,” said Dr Steve Riddle, Lead Educator on the MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses).

“Criminals are getting increasingly clever in the way they target people and we believe this course is invaluable, not only to people who want to work in the cyber security industry, but the public at large.”

A similar course was run by the university in September, with more than 14,000 people signing up to take part from across the globe.

“There is clearly an appetite for this and we are hoping that more people will once again take part,” said Dr Riddle.

The Cyber Security: Safety at Home, Online, In Life sessions are part of Newcastle’s University’s series of MOOCs, which allow thousands of people access at any one time to specific online sessions.

Other topics being covered on the course - which should take about three hours a week for three weeks to complete – include the safety and security of smart devices and the potential pitfalls of online data storage.

It will also give a flavour of the work being done by Newcastle University’s School of Computing Science to anyone who might be interested in going on to the MSc in Computer Security and Resilience course, which has an international reputation for excellence.

Anyone wanting to participate in the course can sign up for free at futurelearn.com/courses/cyber-security.