East Midlands parents urged to secure information and set up controls on gadgets this Christmas
Police say young people face the same risks as adults from hackers and online scams
Cybercrime experts in the East Midlands are urging those giving or receiving technology gifts this Christmas to take steps to ensure devices are secure from hackers and criminals.
The warning comes as police forces in the East Midlands Specialist operations Unit highlight the prevalence of cybercrime during the festive season, including scams related to online shopping and phishing attempts.
Kirsty Jackson, Cyber Protect & Prevent Officer at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We realise that device security may not be an immediate priority for someone taking possession of an exciting new device on Christmas Day – but it is important to take time to think about this.
“Weak security is an open door to criminal hackers who are always on the lookout for new targets – including you.
“Devices are not pre-set with the level of protection we encourage, and rushing to get them ready can lead to costly mistakes, such as weak security set-ups, reusing the same or similar passwords, and not enabling two-step verification.
“If there’s even one data breach, hackers could get hold of usernames and passwords and exploit them for fraud or other malicious purposes.
"So, this Christmas, please take time to think and ensure you don’t end up giving an unexpected gift to a hacker.”
Five steps to keep devices secure
Nottinghamshire Police’s Cyber Protect Team has released five simple but essential steps to help secure new devices this Christmas:
1. Security Essentials
Enable key features such as Face ID or Fingerprint ID for the best security when on the go, set strong and unique PINs or passcodes, and enable features like “Find My iPhone” or “Find My Device” to help with tracking lost gadgets.
Update devices and apps with the latest software and set them to auto-update to prevent criminals from exploiting any vulnerabilities.
2. App & Privacy Settings
Download apps only from official stores like the Play Store or App Store.
Review and limit app permissions, especially those for location data.
For devices for children or teenagers, set up parental controls, screen time restrictions, and content filters to ensure they’re protected while online.
Consider adding your own Face ID or secondary password to ensure long-term monitoring access to their devices and accounts.
3. Account and Personal Data Security
Sign into the device using your primary Google account, Apple ID, or other main account, ensuring backups are enabled.
Use secure passwords consisting of three random words, mixed case, numbers, or special characters on each account. Avoid reusing passwords and change default ones.
Enable Two-step Verification (also known as Two-Factor Authentication) on all accounts and use Authenticator apps for optimal protection.
4. Free Webinar
Parents, carers, and school staff can sign up for free online webinars to better understand how to keep children’s online activity safe: www.eastmidlandscybersecure.co.uk/webinars
5. Helpful Resources
Find more advice on online protection at www.ncsc.gov.uk.
Learn how to stay safe during online festive shopping: stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/protect-yourself-festive-shopping
Any fraud or cybercrime incidents can be reported at: [www.reportfraud.police.uk ](http://www.reportfraud.police.uk |newtab)
Extra advice for parents and carers
Police are encouraging parents not only to secure devices but also to involve children in conversations about online privacy and safety risks.
Parents should explain the dangers of clicking on phishing links, share ways to identify malicious content online, and discuss why only apps from official platforms should be downloaded.
The risks associated with “gaming cheat” websites should also be highlighted to children, as these can sometimes request payment or contain hidden malware.
Helping children set up social media or gaming accounts can ensure that privacy settings are appropriately configured. Parents are urged to protect every layer of gaming accounts – such as those linked to gaming consoles, and individual games – in addition to popular apps.
Jackson added: “For parents, get your set-up secured and then your child’s or teen's, because if yours is hacked, then it’s likely your child’s will be too.”
By following these steps, individuals and families can better protect their personal information and enjoy their new devices safely during the holiday season.