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Archive of Useful Information
These items were originally published on the Information Page, but have since been relegated to this archive.News
Contactless card payments have a new higher limit of up to £45. This is to help reduce transmission of the virus via keypads.
NHS Volunteer Responders volunteer registration form
Guardian: Coronavirus and volunteering: how can I help in the UK?
East of England Ambulance Service call for 1000 recruits
How Viruses Spread
Using a Facemask Safely
Contact Tracing Scam Risk
28 May (updated 17 June)With the advent of England's contact tracing scheme, there is a chance that you may get an unexpected phone call, SMS or email to say you have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Before you reveal any of your own or others' personal information, think carefully about whether the contact is genuine. A genuine contact will...
either, call from 0300 013 5000
or send a text message from ‘NHS’
or send an email asking you to sign into https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk/
Check whether any email link directs to the government webpage - the one above doesn't as an example, or better still type the web address directly into your browser.
Contact tracing is an important public health initiative, but for some unscrupulous people, it will be an opportunity for crime. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040)
See also my earlier note about computer risks on the Archive page. Jeff.A Note about Computer Security
Unfortunately, whilst the coronavirus crisis is bringing out the best in most people in supporting their communities, there are some who are using their time in lockdown for malicious purposes. There has been an increase in certain types of malware including purely destructive malware programs and sites that exploit vulnerabilities in Zoom video conferencing. Having a reliable computer and being able to communicate with family and friends is essential in this crisis. Please be particularly careful and follow measures to protect your systems:
Make sure your operating system is fully up to date
Make a backup of your system and keep it offline or in the cloud (Android/Apple phones/tablets have cloud backup as an option)
Install anti-malware/anti-virus software
Only download software from reputable sources
Avoid "too good to be true" deals. Use Scamdoc to check the trustworthiness of websites and emails
Be careful opening unknown emails and don't open attachments. If you get an email about banking/policing/health avoid clicking links, but instead go to the organisation's website yourself.
If you are able, set your home router's DNS to 1.1.1.2/1.0.0.2 which will stop most malware from being able to download to your devices on your home WiFi.
Jeff BB Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Covid-19 Deaths by Area (1 March to 17 April)
This map is divided into groups of postcodes known as Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs). An MSOA is a geographic area used for reporting of small area statistics. The average population within an MSOA is 7,200 with a minimum of 5,000 and maximum of 15,000 (ref)
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