IT NEWS NIGERIA:
NCC says subscribers can protect themselves by using strong passwords, ignoring or deleting phishing messages, updating software of devices periodically, and managing social media privacy settings among others
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has advised telecom consumers to be careful about divulging sensitive or personal information on the Internet as they leverage emergent communication technologies.
Ismail Adedigba, Head Information and Reference at Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC stated this at the 49th Edition of the Commission’s Consumer Town Hall Meeting (CTM) which took place in Udi, Enugu State recently. At the programme focused on “Mitigating the Effects of Cybercrime: The Role of Telecom Consumers”, he affirmed that “as the demand for data services and Internet activity increases, it is important for Internet users to safeguard their details to forestall falling victim to cyber criminals, fraudsters and those who use the Internet improperly.
Adedigba’s voice on the need for thoughtfulness in sharing information online, was amplified by other speakers at the event, including the representative of the Consumer Advocacy Group, Jide Abdulazeez. Adedigba also informed the participants that the Commission has instituted a process to establish the Industry Code of Practice for Internet Service Providers in the country with the aim of protecting Internet users.
The Consumer Town Hall Meeting (CTM) is an initiative of the Commission designed to bring together telecom subscribers in rural and semi-urban areas, the regulator and service providers for face-to- face engagement, and interactions on consumer related issues.
While the Commission is working to ensure proactive protection of subscribers, users of telecom services and the Internet also have a responsibility to protect themselves against cyber fraud. As Abdulazeez declared, subscribers can protect themselves by using strong passwords, ignoring or deleting phishing messages, updating software of devices periodically, managing social media privacy settings and keeping up to date on major security breaches and trends associated with online communication.
