Wales named most digitally secure region in UK and Ireland
It found that a commendable 58 per cent of Welsh participants use unique passwords for each account, and 72 per cent have antivirus software that regularly checks for viruses.
In contrast, Northern Ireland emerged as the most digitally vulnerable region.
Only 35 per cent of respondents there back up data regularly, 41 per cent admitted to sharing passwords, and 27 per cent have their personal information posted on social media.
The survey also highlighted that just 23 per cent of respondents across the UK and Ireland use auto-generated passwords.
Despite the increasing risk of cyber threats, including identity theft, data breaches, and AI-powered scams, only a third of people change their passwords for important accounts once a year or more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Facial recognition 'should be used more to catch thieves and thugs'
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said facial recognition is 'really important for policing' and said she would be looking at ways to roll it out 'in a proper framework' Facial recognition tech should be used more widely to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, the Home Secretary says. Yvette Cooper has urged firms to think about tracking prolific shoplifters using a national database. Hundreds of big-name stores, including Boots, Morrisons, M&S and Greggs, capture criminals' images and details, including their vehicle registrations, on a database named Auror. The information can be shared with other retailers and police, and used to ban and prosecute thieves. It is estimated that 10% of shoplifters carry out 74% of UK thefts. Ms Cooper said: "We do want more retailers working together on schemes like this so that we can have partnerships tackling that crime." She also said the Home Office is investigating ways to get more facial recognition cameras onto high streets. And the Home Secretary continued: "Too often people have been working separately in silos, and this sort of crime has been treated as low level. "It's not. It has a huge impact on local economies and on that sense of safety at the heart of communities." At the moment experts believe that just five per cent of shop thefts are reported to police. Ben McDonald of Morrisons said the Auror software, used by 98% of retailers in New Zealand where it was developed, was a "game-changer". The database captures images and details about offenders, including vehicle registrations, and allows them to be shared directly between stores and police. This wealth of information can be used to prosecute thieves and ban them from stores after retail crime hit a record level last year. It is estimated that a prolific 10% of shoplifters are responsible for 74% of thefts in the UK - making identifying them especially important. The company claims that streamlining investigations meant forces in New Zealand have been able to hire more than 450 officers in the past seven years. Earlier this year Devon and Cornwall became the first force to partner with the software firm. Superintendent Emma Butler-Jones said the network had "revolutionised" the way retail crime is tackled in the area. Asked whether forces across England and Wales should follow the lead of Croydon in South London and install permanent facial recognition cameras, Ms Cooper this kit is "really important for policing". She said: "There's more scope for using facial recognition more widely, and we're going to set out more ways in which that can be done in a proper framework. We want more retailers working together on schemes like this." Ms Cooper said shoplifting "has a huge impact on local economies and communities". She has also told police chiefs she wants patrols ramped up in 500 English and Welsh town and city centre trouble spots. She challenged police commissioners to draw up plans to tackle rising anti-social behaviour over the summer holidays. The blitz will see more targeted work to ban frequent offenders from hotspots. Ms Cooper has vowed that by August, every neighbourhood will have a named officer who residents will know to contact, and problem areas must be patrolled. Labour has vowed to recruit an additional 13,000 neighbourhood officers by 2029. Ms Cooper said: 'It's time to turn this round, that's why I have called on police forces and councils alike to work together to deliver a summer blitz on town centre crime to send a clear message to those people who bring misery to our towns that their crimes will no longer go unpunished. 'The fact that 500 towns have signed up shows the strength of feeling on this issue."
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly secondary school pupils win STEM challenge
The group from St Martin's School in Caerphilly will now enjoy a VIP visit to Silverstone after winning the British Council's Learning Sectors competition. Supported by Formula 1, the programme connects schools in the UK, South Africa, and India to tackle real-world science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) challenges. Francisco Lopez, lead teacher at St Martin's School, said: "What started as a small school project quickly grew beyond expectations. "The students worked independently, reached out to experts such as Welsh Water and developed not just one idea but a range of thoughtful, realistic solutions. "They learned that global issues like water scarcity aren't just engineering problems – they involve people, politics, and empathy." The Caerphilly pupils partnered with Hoërskool Koffiefontein in South Africa, whose students highlighted a serious water supply issue in their town. Through video calls and research, the Welsh students developed a plan addressing technical solutions and the broader social and economic context of the crisis. In return, the South African pupils explored the UK's cost of living crisis, focusing on ways to reduce energy and heating costs. Mr Lopez said the win was a shock. He said: "I was over the moon – especially for the students. "I ran to tell the headteacher. "The competition across the UK was fierce, and honestly, I didn't expect to win. "I had to read the announcement email twice. "This is a memory they'll carry for the rest of their lives. "Some are big F1 fans and they couldn't believe they'd be VIP guests." As part of their prize, the eight-strong team – four boys and four girls – will meet Formula 1 engineers, tour the paddock, and see how STEM is used in elite motorsport. The Learning Sectors programme aims to reach 700 schools worldwide in its first year.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Over 500 Denbighshire staff trained to use EV fleet
Denbighshire County Council has trained more than 500 staff through its Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet programme, which supports the authority's transition to a cleaner, low-emission fleet. Martin Griffiths, fleet mobility lead officer at Denbighshire County Council, said: "As part of our council climate change and nature recovery strategy, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions across the local authority, which includes our fleet. "We have been transitioning our end-of-life fossil fuel-powered vehicles over to electric with significant support from Welsh and UK government departments to help us cut down on emissions produced and also reduce long-term costs for miles and maintenance across all services our fleet supplies to." The council's efforts follow its declaration of a Climate and Nature Emergency in 2019 and have resulted in more than 20 per cent of its fleet now being made up of zero-emission vehicles—one of the highest proportions in Wales. To ensure staff can operate the vehicles safely and efficiently, the in-house training covers the use of EV charging infrastructure, regenerative braking, and selecting the correct driving mode for different conditions. Four qualification levels are offered, covering cars and small vans through to LGVs, buses, plant machinery, and instructor certification. David Baker, senior driver training and assessment officer, said: "A key part of this is helping staff actually learn more about what an EV can do positively for travel and for the environment and coaching them to get the best out of this equipment. "Our in-house trainer supports with getting to grips with how regenerative braking works to extend range and reduce conventional wear and tear on normal brakes. "They look at how to smooth out driving to avoid harsh acceleration which impacts on battery performance." The council says the scheme is not only reducing emissions, but also lowering running costs and helping staff become more confident with EV technology. Mr Baker said: "Effectively the training helps maximise the ability of these cars driven by staff to increase vehicle efficiency and reduce long-term costs. "It's also good to help individual staff as well to make their own decisions regarding moving to an EV for personal use." The programme has attracted interest from other Welsh authorities. Mr Griffiths said: "We are sharing our good practice and experiences with other Welsh councils and public sector bodies to help them with their own transition to zero emission."
