Since MOPAC and the government think that online reporting can replace closed Police stations, we ask: “How safe is it really to report online”?

Many warnings were given about NOT using free or shared Wifi for hacking fears. Warning go even further into not using free charging ports in airports, but, you guessed it, we are invited to used shared Wifi to report to police.

When out and about I come across very many people who have no access to data and data is what you need when you want to access any online server without sharing this access with others.

Sharing files on public WiFi Cybercriminals can intercept your traffic and steal the private information you send over public WiFi because they also have access to the public network. Sending sensitive data over public WiFi increases your risk of falling victim to a cyber attack.

The Man in the Middle attack.

Read this Norton advise on using public Wifi hotspots. Essentially, a MITM attack is a form of eavesdropping. So, hear you compile your CONFIDENTIAL report to police on a public Wifi network whilst you have someone eavesdropping in on you.

I would say that the UK police and security forces are running a considerable risk by asking people to report online when it is so easy to listen in on anything done on a shared Wifi network.

Remember the days when you had to wait in a police station to be interviewed in a confidential room? That was confidential. Noone could listen in.

I don’t think Police have thought this through.

Let’s face it when you are in distress because you have been attacked, robbed, an accident, witnessed a crime, want to inform about terrorism urgently. The last thing on your mind is Internet security.

I want to know what Police can do to make online reporting safer.

Find the nearest police station by post code

^{Find the nearest station on a map}

Report to @MetCC on X press the envelope to make your report.

Report to Met Police via their website