Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

Technology is part of everyday life, offering connection and convenience. For many women and girls experiencing gender based violence in the UK, that same technology is increasingly used as a tool of control, surveillance and harm. Understanding how this abuse works is essential for safeguarding and accountability.

This week marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, a global campaign from 25th November to 10th December that calls for action to end all forms of violence against women and girls. For us, as a charity supporting people harmed through technology, this period is an important reminder that digital abuse is now one of the most common and damaging ways gender based violence is carried out.

Social media is so deeply intertwined into our lives that as our online presence grows, so does the opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit it. Our data shows just how widespread social media hacking is and who hackers typically target.

Romance fraud is one of the most sophisticated cybercrimes affecting people online. Every year, thousands of people are exploited through their desire for human connection.

Recruitment scams—also known as job fraud—are a rising form of cybercrime that targets jobseekers with fake employment opportunities designed to steal personal information or money. Scammers often impersonate legitimate employers or recruitment agents, tricking victims into sharing sensitive data, paying unnecessary fees, or completing unpaid tasks under the pretense of a real hiring process.

The BBC recently reported on Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips' acknowledgement that the DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour-Based Violence) risk assessment tool “doesn’t work” in reliably identifying high-risk cases. Since 2009, the DASH has been the most widely used screening tool across police, healthcare, social workers and victims services.

Few things are as alarming as discovering that one of your accounts has been hacked. Unfortunately, the reality is that recovering a hacked account is often very difficult – sometimes impossible. Here’s why getting your account back can be unlikely, what risks are involved, and how you can protect yourself from attacks.

Fraud and scams continue to evolve, with criminals finding new ways to exploit individuals regardless of background. In this article, we explore the most common types of fraud including virtual currency scams, investment fraud, unique scams, and loan scams, to inform you about how they operate, and who is typically affected.

In light of the recent disclosure by Marks & Spencer (M&S) regarding a cyber attack that resulted in the theft of customer data, we strongly recommend that if you are affected you take immediate and proactive steps to protect your digital identity and reduce the risk of further compromise.

In April and May 2025, several prominent UK retailers including Marks & Spencer (M&S), Co-op, and Harrods experienced significant cyberattacks. At the time of writing we have not had confirmation of these attacks but consider them to be a Ransomware attack. These incidents are disrupting services, compromising customer data, and highlight vulnerabilities in retail cybersecurity. This guide aims to help you as a consumer take the steps you can take to protect yourself.