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Objects of Comfort resources have been developed to connect people living in care homes, those at risk of social isolation and those looking for activities to do in group sessions, with Wales’ national collections. These downloadable resources can be used as the basis for activities, or as prompts for meaningful conversations and reminiscence.

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Objects of Comfort resources have been developed to connect people living in care homes, those at risk of social isolation and those looking for activities to do in group sessions with Wales's national collections. These downloadable resources can be used as the basis for activities, or as prompts for meaningful conversations and reminiscence.

These themed activity guides can be used with a group, for one-to-one discussions or as stimuli for conversations for life story work. They are designed to be accessible for all, but with the opportunity to learn something new by exploring the collections of Amgueddfa Cymru.

Click under the preview to download each resource. These can be used on screen or printed out for use.

Each activity guide contains questions and sensory activity ideas to prompt conversation and engagement.

Watch

A series of films inspired by the collections of Amgueddfa Cymru, and designed to comfort, soothe, stimulate and inspire.

Thanks to funding from The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust and The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, a series of films has been created by artists and creative practitioners from across Wales, to improve the wellbeing of those at risk of social isolation.

The films have been created so that they can be enjoyed equally by those in care settings, at home or by any group which meets regularly and is looking for meaningful and fun activities to improve the mood and wellbeing of those who take part.

The project is a supported by a development team which includes Amgueddfa Cymru, the Welsh Government, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Alzheimer's Society, Innovate Trust and the Greater Gwent Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Partnership.

Objects of Comfort activity guides are developed in parallel with the Museums Inspiring Memories programme, which focuses on using museum sites and resources to improve the health and wellbeing of people affected by dementia.

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Objects of Comfort resources have been developed to connect people living in care homes, those at risk of social isolation and those looking for activities to do in group sessions with Wales's national collections. These downloadable resources can be used as the basis for activities, or as prompts for meaningful conversations and reminiscence.

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Playlist for Life - Personal music for dementia - Playlist for Life

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A playlist of personally meaningful music can help people living with dementia Making a playlist is easy Find the right music Put the tunesinto a list Choose how to listen Get started now Help a loved one living with dementia discover the unique soundtrack of their life A personalised playlist is a low-cost and unique ...

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Do you believe that music should be an integral part of dementia care? Please join our campaign at musicfordementia.org.uk We are m4d Radio. A group of 5 themed radio stations available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year playing music that evokes memories. Choose your era below, listen and enjoy...

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Smart devices: using them safely in your home

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Smart devices: using them safely in your home

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Many everyday items are now connected to the internet: we explain how to use them safely.

Smart devices are the everyday items that connect to the internet. This can include both 'hi-tech' items (think smart speakers, fitness trackers and security cameras), and also household items (such as fridges, light bulbs and doorbells). Unlike conventional household items, you can't just switch on a smart device and forget it; you'll need to check a few simple things to protect yourself.

This page explains how to set up and manage your smart devices to keep your home - and your information - safe. Information on your consumer rights can be found on Which? and Citizens Advice.

What is the risk from using Smart Devices?

Just like a smartphone, laptop or PC, smart devices can be hacked to leave your data and privacy at risk. Very rarely, devices have been controlled by somebody else managing the device - often to frighten the victim.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and DCMS have developed a Code of Practice to clarify for manufacturers what they need to do to make (and keep) their products secure, and help to keep consumers safe. There's also lots you can do to protect yourself.

Setting up your device

Before you buy, check reviews of the product and the manufacturer. For information about how to set up a specific device, refer to the manufacturer's documentation, such as a manual or 'getting started' guide that came with the device, the manufacturer's website (check the 'support' area first) or within the app itself.

Some smart devices will work without being connected to the internet. Others may need an internet connection, a smartphone app, or for you to create an account. Again, check their website for details.

Check the default settings

Some devices may be insecure when they are first switched on, so you'll need to take some quick steps to protect yourself.

If the device comes with a password that looks easily guessable (for example admin or 00000), change it

Easily guessable passwords can be discovered by cyber criminals, so make sure you choose a secure one

Managing your account

If the device or app offers Two Factor Authentication (2FA), turn it on. 2FA provides a way of 'double checking' that you really are the person you are claiming to be, and makes it much harder for criminals to access your online accounts, even if they know your password.

Some products can be controlled when you're away from your home Wi-Fi, by creating an online account linked to your device. You can also often back up your settings and data, so you can recover them if you need to wipe your device. However, accessing your device like this can make it easier for other people online to access them without your permission, so make sure you have changed default passwords and enabled 2FA if available.

As with your computers and smartphones, installing software updates promptly helps keep your devices secure. For each of your smart devices, you should:

switch on the option to enable automatic updates, (if available)

install any manual updates when prompted

make sure your device's operating system is up to date

If something goes wrong

If you're aware of an incident e.g. in the media and you think your device is affected:

visit the manufacturer's website to see if there's information available on what you should do check the National Cyber Security Centre and the Information Commissioner's Office for advice

If you think someone has malicious control/access of a device in your home, you should perform a factory reset (see below).

Getting rid of your device

If you decide to sell or give you device to someone else, you should first perform a factory reset. This will return the device to its original settings, and should also remove all your personal data from the device. Check your manufacturer's website if you need to find out how to perform a reset.

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Smart devices: using them safely in your home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many everyday items are now connected to the internet: we explain how to use them safely. Smart devices are the everyday items that connect to the internet. This can include both 'hi-tech' items (think smart speakers, fitness trackers and security cameras), and also household items (such as fridges, light bulbs and doorbells).

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How private is your personal information?

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How private is your personal information?

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How private is your personal information?

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How long it would take a computer to crack your password?

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Family members of online daters are being urged to help protect their relatives from becoming a victim of romance fraud, as new figures show almost £92 million has been lost through dating scams this year alone.

Could you recognise a cloned company scam? Criminals are copying real websites to steal savings.

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Family members of online daters are being urged to help protect their relatives from becoming a victim of romance fraud, as new figures show almost £92 million has been lost through dating scams this year alone. Could you recognise a cloned company scam? Criminals are copying real websites to steal savings.

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To mark Dementia Awareness Week, the Royal Commission has published "Memory Archive: Using our resources to stimulate reminiscence" , a webpage highlighting the collections in the National Monuments Record of Wales that may be of particular interest to those caring for, or working with, people living with dementia.

05/25/2018

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Memory Archive: Using our resources to stimulate reminiscence

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To mark Dementia Awareness Week, the Royal Commission has published "Memory Archive: Using our resources to stimulate reminiscence" , a webpage highlighting the collections in the National Monuments Record of Wales that may be of particular interest to those caring for, or working with, people living with dementia. 05/25/2018

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Sporting Memories Foundation tackles Dementia, Depression and Loneliness through the power of sports reminiscence

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Please add a little information about your project.

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Music and activity sheets for discussion

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Find music from various decades and genres to aid reminiscence at BBC Music Memories

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The moment a ballerina with Alzheimer's returned to Swan Lake  

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The moment a ballerina with Alzheimer's returned to Swan Lake  

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A Spanish charity which uses music to improve the lives of dementia patients has released a video of Alzheimer's patient Martina Gonzalez, a former ballerina, who is transformed as she listens to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

Ms Gonzalez, who spent her final days in a care home in Valencia, passed away in 2019, shortly after this video was filmed.

Credit: Spanish charity, Asociacion Musica para Despertar (Music Association for Awakening).

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Ballerina with Alzheimer's returns to Swan Lake

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A Spanish charity which uses music to improve the lives of dementia patients has released a video of Alzheimer's patient Martina Gonzalez, a former ballerina, who is transformed as she listens to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Ms Gonzalez, who spent her final days in a care home in Valencia, passed away in 2019, shortly after this video was filmed.

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RemArc

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Welcome to the BBC Reminiscence Archive. This archive provides access to a selection of content from the BBC Archives, designed to support reminiscence therapy.

The principle of reminiscence therapy is to assist people who have dementia to interact and converse in a natural way by stimulating their long-term memory with material from the past. It is often the case that long-term memory can still function when the person's working (short-term) memory is degraded. Tapping into long-term memory can make it possible once again for them to enjoy interacting with others, through their stories.

A number of reminiscence systems have been developed for people with dementia, based on photographs, photo books, boxes of objects and materials and interactive computer applications. The BBC wants to contribute to this growing set of supports for people with dementia and their carers by drawing on the enormous fund of photos, videos, and sound clips in its archives.

For more information about dementia, please visit The Alzheimer's Society or Alzheimer Scotland or bbc.co.uk/dementia

The BBC Reminiscence Archive (or RemArc) was developed by the BBC, Dundee University and University of St Andrews, and built by Atos as a tool to support people with dementia and carers.
Contact us about RemArc

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Information and advice for how to look out for scams and how avoid them. Also provides information about what to do if you become the victim of a scam.

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Coronavirus disease ( also known as COVID-19) is dominating the news and sending people across the globe into panic. Of course, it was only a matter of time before cybercriminals would find ways to take advantage of this global crisis. As if the prospect of the virus isn't bad enough, several coronavirus scams have been doing the rounds online.

These include phishing schemes, fake treatment claims, and investment scams, among others. Organizations including the Better Business Bureau (BBB), World Health Organization (WHO), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued warnings to alert the general public to the circulation of various coronavirus scams.

Thankfully, if you know what to look out for, you can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and avoid falling victim to their ruse. In this post, we explain more about the COVID-19 scams to watch out for and provide tips to help you stay safe online.

Here are some of the main coronavirus scams you may come across:

Fake treatments

Although some people claim that there is overreaction regarding the severity of COVID-19, let's face it, it's a dangerous virus. As such, plenty of people are frantically searching for preventative treatments and cures.

And when there's demand, there's supply. New websites and ads popped up, claiming to offer products that can prevent or cure coronavirus. In addition, many existing companies are starting to flaunt coronavirus claims around their products.

For example, proponents of Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) have long claimed it can cure everything from HIV to autism, even though the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple warnings to the public not to consume it. However, this solution can still be found for sale on multiple websites.

Claims circulated saying this chlorine dioxide solution-essentially a type of bleach-can help prevent and cure coronavirus. The FDA specifically states in its COVID-19 FAQ page that this is not the case.

Elsewhere, at least seven companies have been issued FDA warnings to stop claiming their products have benefits in relation to COVID-19. These include an aromatherapy business, a producer of silver drinks, and a holistic clinic.

It's not just treatments that companies are selling. Some are making grand claims about disinfectants too. It's true that some home disinfectant products can help in the fight against the spread of the virus. One group in China knowingly marketed a disinfectant under false claims.

For information about coronavirus symptoms, testing, and treatment, you should consult a healthcare professional or a reputable website such as those run by the WHO, CDC, FDA, or your government's health department.

It's worth noting that this isn't the first time scammers have taken advantage of a global health crisis to peddle questionable wares. Outbreaks of Zika virus, Ebola, and SARS all prompted the FTC and FDA to send warning letters to various companies.

Masks and other equipment

As you've probably heard, sales of protective masks have gone through the roof, with many companies struggling to meet demand. Again, when there's high demand, crooks are standing ready to make a quick buck.

Other items that may be for sale include protective gloves and coronavirus testing kits. The latter are not commercially available, so anyone claiming to sell them is definitely trying to scam you. For example, below is a Russian site (coronavirustest.ru) claiming to sell "the best and fastest virus test" that "will determine if there is a virus in the blood" in just five minutes.

There are several schemes that could play out when it comes to purchasing coronavirus-related products online:

Non-delivery: There's a chance that you'll simply never see these items after payment, as the seller will accept payment and not ship the product. A tell-tale sign of this scam is if you see in-demand items at a very low price, designed to lure in as many people as possible.

Extortionate prices: In other cases, sellers might be jacking up prices on products they know are in high demand. You may see extortionate prices for some items, including masks selling for up to $1,000. One buyer in the UK claimed to have lost £15,000 trying to purchase masks.

False claims: You might receive a product that doesn't live up to claims. For example, with the testing kit above, if you do actually receive a physical product, it's probably not going to work as promoted. Elsewhere, standards agencies have been quick to crack down on mask claims. For example, the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) challenged Novads OU regarding claims made in several mask advertisements.

Defective products: Similarly, you may receive a low-quality or defective product. Although it's real and seemingly fairly priced, it could be expired, damaged, or even used. What's more, the entities selling these types of goods are unlikely to be offering or honoring return policies.

Stolen personal information: When you're purchasing directly from an e-commerce site, it's tough to know where your information is going. Not only could these sites take your money, but they might also steal your personal and banking information for use in other crimes such as credit card fraud and identity theft.

Some platforms are taking steps to prevent these scams taking place. For example, eBay has blocked all new listings for healthcare masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes, and is removing some existing ones. That said, a quick search for face masks on the site still delivered over 1,500 results.

Amazon has pulled over a million coronavirus-related products and Facebook has put a temporary halt to ads for face masks. Google is the latest company to follow suit. What's more, governments are starting to take a stance against mask resellers, with Japan promising fines of up to 1 million yen ($9,565) or a year in prison.

Sellers of related products should beware too as they might also be the target of scams. In a cancelled payment scam, a buyer will send payment only to cancel it once the product has shipped, leaving the seller out of pocket. Other scammers will purchase goods for resale using a stolen credit card information. This could potentially leave the seller on the hook for the money.

Phishing emails and texts

Another way scammers are leveraging the coronavirus panic is to pilfer information from unsuspecting victims. Phishing emails, as well as phishing voicemails and text messages (known as vishing and smishing, respectively), are intended to trick recipients into handing over private information.

WHO recently issued the following warning regarding phishing emails:

"Criminals are disguising themselves as WHO to steal money or sensitive information. If you are contacted by a person or organization that appears to be from WHO, verify their authenticity before responding."

One email purporting to come from WHO encouraged recipients to click on a button link to find out about safety measures for preventing the spread of coronavirus. The link takes you to a phishing site which prompts you to enter a username and password. Phishing sites are designed to look like legitimate sites, but actually steal your information. Another phishing email, purporting to be from the CDC, encourages people to click a link to see a list of coronavirus cases in their area.

Note that you might come across multi channel attacks where a fraudster will send both an email and a text message or phone call, to make the ruse seem more believable. Data breaches often result in the leak of a phone number paired with an email, which is how cybercriminals get this information in the first place.

According to CheckPoint, 4,000 coronavirus-related domains have been registered since January. Three percent of these are malicious, and a further five percent are deemed suspicious. This means that domains linked to coronavirus are 50 percent more likely to be malicious compared to other domains registered within that period.

Malware

Not all malicious emails are phishing for information, and other messages might be designed to install malware on the user's device. A seemingly harmless email could ask you to click a link or attachment, for example, for more information about the outbreak.

When you click the malicious link or attachment, malware is downloaded and executed on your device. One example is a campaign that uses the coronavirus outbreak to spread the popular trojan Emotet via an email attachment. This is also a common method used for installing spyware and ransomware.

Charity schemes

In any global crisis, people tend to look for ways to help their fellow humans financially. Fraudsters prey on their kindness and create fake GoFundMe pages and other charity-based schemes.

For example, you might see people asking for help with repatriation expenses, medical bills, and quarantine-related costs. You may also see fake charities purporting to help with everything from feeding children to helping animals in the wake of the virus.

These scams are often promoted through social media, but may come through email, possibly even from a friend who has fallen for the scam.

Note that there are still many worthy causes to donate to at this time, including many genuine GoFundMe and similar pages, but you should always proceed with caution. In addition, lots of reputable charities are ramping up efforts to help those in need in the midst of this crisis and need your help. Just be sure to do some research before sending funds.

Investment scams

With the markets taking a massive hit, people are understandably worried about protecting their investments. Enter scammers with the solution to all your problems. In February, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a warning to the public to be on the lookout for coronavirus-related investment scams.

One type of scheme is tied to products and services that may be helpful in coronavirus prevention, detection, or treatment. Scammers claim that stocks of publicly-traded companies providing these products or services will increase dramatically. They persuade people to purchase these stocks with promises of future gains.

Then, once the stock price has increased (due to mass interest), the scammers sell their stock at the inflated price. The stock price plummets, leaving duped investors with worthless stocks. This is known as a "pump-and-dump" scheme.

General misinformation

While some fake news can be seemingly harmless, in many cases, it can have a real impact on people's lives. It can even prove fatal as was revealed in Iran where more than 40 people have died after consuming bootleg alcohol, believing it would cure the coronavirus.

Misinformation may be used for various reasons, including to ramp up social media engagement or drive website traffic, but it can have serious consequences. For example, overstating the number of coronavirus cases in a particular area could send nearby residents into a frenzy.

Fake news about the coronavirus outbreak may also be used to sway public opinion about the government, political parties, and individual politicians. It can have a significant and lasting impact on the political climate of various countries.

In some cases, governments have been implicated in the spread of fake news. For example, the US has accused Russia of spreading disinformation regarding the coronavirus. Officials claimed to have uncovered a network of thousands of social media accounts spreading conspiracy theories that essentially blame the US for the outbreak.

Offline impersonation scams

Although this article is focused on online scams, it's worth mentioning that police departments in New Jersey recently issued a warning about scammers going door to door posing as CDC officials.

It's unclear what intentions these imposters have, but it's worth putting the word out to friends and family, especially the elderly and vulnerable. The CDC is not deploying teams to go door to door, and you should not let these people into your homes.

Tips to help you avoid COVID-19 scams

Knowledge of these scams is the best defense. Note that scammers will continuously find ways to take advantage of people, so as the situation continues to unfold, you need to be on high alert for other types of schemes that might evolve. Here are our top tips for avoiding coronavirus scams:

1. Use common sense

Although this global crisis is inciting panic, it's important to keep a level head and think rationally. For a start, if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. If you're being offered "secret information" or an "exclusive deal" by a stranger, consider if this is legitimate.

It's also worth noting that friends and family members may not be educated about these schemes and could be more likely to make poor decisions when feeling scared or overwhelmed. It's especially important to check in with elderly friends and relatives. According to statistics, seniors are at high risk of developing serious symptoms due to the coronavirus. This makes it even more likely than usual that they'll be targeted with scams.

2. Learn to spot phishing emails and sites

Phishing emails are becoming more sophisticated, but there are still some common tell-tale signs that something's not right. First, look at the sender's email address and check that it looks real. Scammers will often register domains with slight misspellings to make an email address look legitimate.

Other common signs of a phishing email are poor spelling or grammar, and a sense of urgency in the tone. Charity scams in particular will often use high-pressure tactics to get you to hand over money quickly. If you have any doubt about the authenticity of an email, contact the company directly using a phone number or email address found via a web search.

Government agencies such as the WHO or CDC will never ask you to send money or banking information.

Never click attachments or links in an email that you don't fully trust. If you're unsure about where a link is sending you, you can hover over the anchor text to see the URL. If it doesn't match what you're expecting, don't click.

If you do end up clicking a link, there are ways to check if you've landed on a phishing site. Looking for a secure site (with HTTPS in the address and a padlock symbol in the address bar) can help, although many phishing sites now have this feature. Other tell-tale signs of a phishing site are outdated copyright information, poor grammar, and lack of an "about" page and contact information.

3. Only purchase from trusted sites

If you do need to stock up on supplies, be it medication or other household goods, make sure you're purchasing from reputable sites. As mentioned, looking for HTTPS sites can help, but it's not foolproof. Ideally, stick to well-known companies and avoid third-party sellers.

When you make any purchase online, it's better to use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards usually offer more protection and give you a better chance of getting your money back if you are scammed.

4. Use antivirus software

While antivirus software won't help in the social engineering element of a scam, it can help protect you to some extent. A good antivirus should be able to detect and block known threats, for example, to prevent malware from being downloaded onto your device.

If malware does find its way through initial defenses, antivirus software might be able to detect it so you can remove it as soon as possible.

5. Visit reputable sites for coronavirus information

The problem with getting all of your news from your social media newsfeeds is it's often difficult to tell where it's really coming from. Even some reputable news sites pick up on stories with misinformation.

For reliable coronavirus news, you're best off sticking with sites like those run by the WHO and CDC. These may not be updated as regularly as your favorite tabloid news site, but the information will likely be more reliable.

While severity of the COVID-19 outbreak will diminish eventually, it looks set to be around long enough for many more scams to take place. In general, these types of schemes are under-reported. Often, people assume that no one will be able to help them, or they feel embarrassed about falling for a scam.

The spread of coronavirus could compound both of these factors. Due to the widespread panic we're seeing, people are likely to fall for more obvious scams than usual. Plus, with the current global crisis, they might feel that their seemingly small misfortune is too insignificant to report.

However, if you've fallen victim to a scam or suspect scam-related activity, it's prudent to report it as soon as possible. If you've lost money, no matter how hopeless it seems, there's a chance you could be reimbursed. Perhaps more importantly, it's important to get the word out to family, friends, and the general public to minimize the number of people who become victims.

We go into detail about how to report a scam in a separate post, but here's a brief list of where to turn depending on which country you're in. Note that you should also inform your local law enforcement agency of any scams.

US

UK

Canada

Australia

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Avoid coronavirus scams: What you need to know

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Coronavirus disease ( also known as COVID-19) is dominating the news and sending people across the globe into panic. Of course, it was only a matter of time before cybercriminals would find ways to take advantage of this global crisis. As if the prospect of the virus isn't bad enough, several coronavirus scams have been doing the rounds online.

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From the Blog

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Who are you really talking to online?

The internet is a fantastic innovation that has, in many ways, made life more convenient, given us more choice, brought enrichment and for many, made...

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Our Mission

Get Safe Online is the UK's leading source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety.

Our website is a unique resource providing practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers and mobile devices and your business against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems encountered online. It contains guidance on many other related subjects too - including performing backups and how to avoid theft or loss of your computer, smartphone or tablet.
Read more about who we are

Get Safe Online around the world

Get Safe Online has a presence in 24 countries around the world. Each country benefits from its own Get Safe Online website, customised to deliver the best and most relevant experience for individuals and businesses. Many of the countries also have a community of Get Safe Online Ambassadors and Advocates working on our behalf.
Read more about our International Sites

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Get Safe Online | The UK's leading Online Safety Advice Resource

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The UK's leading online safety advice resource. Providing free, impartial internet safety advice to help keep you and your family safe online.

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Child Exploitation and Online Protection command

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Thank you for visiting the Me & My Shadow website. Please note that this website is no longer being updated. It will remain live as an archive, but some of the information may be out of date. In 2019 we will be migrating some of the content to Tactical Tech's other websites, so please stay tuned!

take control of your data

What are digital traces?

Through your computer, mobile phone, and other digital devices, you leave behind hundreds of digital traces (also called data traces) every day: bits of information about you that are created, stored, and collected.

When your digital traces are put together to create stories about you or profiles of you, these become your digital shadows. These can give others huge insight into your life; and they can also be totally wrong. Either way, once they're out there, they are almost impossible to control....

We leave hundreds of digital traces every day. What are they and how do we create them?

Once digital traces are created, they usually leave our immediate control and land up in the hands of others.

A closer look at the often-made claim that "effective anonymisation is possible".

We're being followed around the internet, and tracked through our mobile phones. What personal data are companies and institutions collecting, and what for?

GO: SEE HOW YOUR DATA IS BEING COLLECTED

"SO WHAT? I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE"

"I've got nothing to hide"; "It's just the internet"; "But I'm just one in millions".....and four more.

How to change settings, block trackers, and choose usable alternative tools.

Investigations
into the data society

We live in a world currently suffering from an extreme case of Obsessive Collection Disorder. What is actually going on? Where do we fit in? What does all of this mean for us? This section takes a deeper, more in-depth look at things.

Who is reading over your shoulder when you read the news online?

More to come......

Watch this space!

Stuff We Like

Resources on privacy from other excellent organisations and individuals:

40 maps that will help you better understand where the internet came from, how it works, and how it's used by people around the world.
-Timothy B. Lee

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Thank you for visiting the Me & My Shadow website. Please note that this website is no longer being updated. It will remain live as an archive, but some of the information may be out of date. In 2019 we will be migrating some of the content to Tactical Tech's other websites, so please stay tuned!

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How long it would take a computer to crack your password?

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Think U know: Resources for different age groups, parents and carers- can be used to run age appropriate online safety sessions

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The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team aim to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse.

We do this through our education programme, providing training, resources and information to professionals working with children, young people and their families.

I am:

Respecting me, you, us: building healthy relationships and creating positive cultures is a CEOP Education resource for 12 -14 year olds developed in association with clinical psychologist, Dr. Elly Hanson.

Under 18 and worried about online sexual abuse?
To report, click to visit the CEOP Safety Centre.

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The CEOP Education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Education Team aims to protect children and young people aged 4-18 from online child sexual abuse.

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Our Padlet resource

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Family members of online daters are being urged to help protect their relatives from becoming a victim of romance fraud, as new figures show almost £92 million has been lost through dating scams this year alone.

Could you recognise a cloned company scam? Criminals are copying real websites to steal savings.

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Family members of online daters are being urged to help protect their relatives from becoming a victim of romance fraud, as new figures show almost £92 million has been lost through dating scams this year alone. Could you recognise a cloned company scam? Criminals are copying real websites to steal savings.

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Coronavirus disease ( also known as COVID-19) is dominating the news and sending people across the globe into panic. Of course, it was only a matter of time before cybercriminals would find ways to take advantage of this global crisis. As if the prospect of the virus isn't bad enough, several coronavirus scams have been doing the rounds online.

These include phishing schemes, fake treatment claims, and investment scams, among others. Organizations including the Better Business Bureau (BBB), World Health Organization (WHO), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued warnings to alert the general public to the circulation of various coronavirus scams.

Thankfully, if you know what to look out for, you can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and avoid falling victim to their ruse. In this post, we explain more about the COVID-19 scams to watch out for and provide tips to help you stay safe online.

Here are some of the main coronavirus scams you may come across:

Fake treatments

Although some people claim that there is overreaction regarding the severity of COVID-19, let's face it, it's a dangerous virus. As such, plenty of people are frantically searching for preventative treatments and cures.

And when there's demand, there's supply. New websites and ads popped up, claiming to offer products that can prevent or cure coronavirus. In addition, many existing companies are starting to flaunt coronavirus claims around their products.

For example, proponents of Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) have long claimed it can cure everything from HIV to autism, even though the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple warnings to the public not to consume it. However, this solution can still be found for sale on multiple websites.

Claims circulated saying this chlorine dioxide solution-essentially a type of bleach-can help prevent and cure coronavirus. The FDA specifically states in its COVID-19 FAQ page that this is not the case.

Elsewhere, at least seven companies have been issued FDA warnings to stop claiming their products have benefits in relation to COVID-19. These include an aromatherapy business, a producer of silver drinks, and a holistic clinic.

It's not just treatments that companies are selling. Some are making grand claims about disinfectants too. It's true that some home disinfectant products can help in the fight against the spread of the virus. One group in China knowingly marketed a disinfectant under false claims.

For information about coronavirus symptoms, testing, and treatment, you should consult a healthcare professional or a reputable website such as those run by the WHO, CDC, FDA, or your government's health department.

It's worth noting that this isn't the first time scammers have taken advantage of a global health crisis to peddle questionable wares. Outbreaks of Zika virus, Ebola, and SARS all prompted the FTC and FDA to send warning letters to various companies.

Masks and other equipment

As you've probably heard, sales of protective masks have gone through the roof, with many companies struggling to meet demand. Again, when there's high demand, crooks are standing ready to make a quick buck.

Other items that may be for sale include protective gloves and coronavirus testing kits. The latter are not commercially available, so anyone claiming to sell them is definitely trying to scam you. For example, below is a Russian site (coronavirustest.ru) claiming to sell "the best and fastest virus test" that "will determine if there is a virus in the blood" in just five minutes.

There are several schemes that could play out when it comes to purchasing coronavirus-related products online:

Non-delivery: There's a chance that you'll simply never see these items after payment, as the seller will accept payment and not ship the product. A tell-tale sign of this scam is if you see in-demand items at a very low price, designed to lure in as many people as possible.

Extortionate prices: In other cases, sellers might be jacking up prices on products they know are in high demand. You may see extortionate prices for some items, including masks selling for up to $1,000. One buyer in the UK claimed to have lost £15,000 trying to purchase masks.

False claims: You might receive a product that doesn't live up to claims. For example, with the testing kit above, if you do actually receive a physical product, it's probably not going to work as promoted. Elsewhere, standards agencies have been quick to crack down on mask claims. For example, the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) challenged Novads OU regarding claims made in several mask advertisements.

Defective products: Similarly, you may receive a low-quality or defective product. Although it's real and seemingly fairly priced, it could be expired, damaged, or even used. What's more, the entities selling these types of goods are unlikely to be offering or honoring return policies.

Stolen personal information: When you're purchasing directly from an e-commerce site, it's tough to know where your information is going. Not only could these sites take your money, but they might also steal your personal and banking information for use in other crimes such as credit card fraud and identity theft.

Some platforms are taking steps to prevent these scams taking place. For example, eBay has blocked all new listings for healthcare masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes, and is removing some existing ones. That said, a quick search for face masks on the site still delivered over 1,500 results.

Amazon has pulled over a million coronavirus-related products and Facebook has put a temporary halt to ads for face masks. Google is the latest company to follow suit. What's more, governments are starting to take a stance against mask resellers, with Japan promising fines of up to 1 million yen ($9,565) or a year in prison.

Sellers of related products should beware too as they might also be the target of scams. In a cancelled payment scam, a buyer will send payment only to cancel it once the product has shipped, leaving the seller out of pocket. Other scammers will purchase goods for resale using a stolen credit card information. This could potentially leave the seller on the hook for the money.

Phishing emails and texts

Another way scammers are leveraging the coronavirus panic is to pilfer information from unsuspecting victims. Phishing emails, as well as phishing voicemails and text messages (known as vishing and smishing, respectively), are intended to trick recipients into handing over private information.

WHO recently issued the following warning regarding phishing emails:

"Criminals are disguising themselves as WHO to steal money or sensitive information. If you are contacted by a person or organization that appears to be from WHO, verify their authenticity before responding."

One email purporting to come from WHO encouraged recipients to click on a button link to find out about safety measures for preventing the spread of coronavirus. The link takes you to a phishing site which prompts you to enter a username and password. Phishing sites are designed to look like legitimate sites, but actually steal your information. Another phishing email, purporting to be from the CDC, encourages people to click a link to see a list of coronavirus cases in their area.

Note that you might come across multi channel attacks where a fraudster will send both an email and a text message or phone call, to make the ruse seem more believable. Data breaches often result in the leak of a phone number paired with an email, which is how cybercriminals get this information in the first place.

According to CheckPoint, 4,000 coronavirus-related domains have been registered since January. Three percent of these are malicious, and a further five percent are deemed suspicious. This means that domains linked to coronavirus are 50 percent more likely to be malicious compared to other domains registered within that period.

Malware

Not all malicious emails are phishing for information, and other messages might be designed to install malware on the user's device. A seemingly harmless email could ask you to click a link or attachment, for example, for more information about the outbreak.

When you click the malicious link or attachment, malware is downloaded and executed on your device. One example is a campaign that uses the coronavirus outbreak to spread the popular trojan Emotet via an email attachment. This is also a common method used for installing spyware and ransomware.

Charity schemes

In any global crisis, people tend to look for ways to help their fellow humans financially. Fraudsters prey on their kindness and create fake GoFundMe pages and other charity-based schemes.

For example, you might see people asking for help with repatriation expenses, medical bills, and quarantine-related costs. You may also see fake charities purporting to help with everything from feeding children to helping animals in the wake of the virus.

These scams are often promoted through social media, but may come through email, possibly even from a friend who has fallen for the scam.

Note that there are still many worthy causes to donate to at this time, including many genuine GoFundMe and similar pages, but you should always proceed with caution. In addition, lots of reputable charities are ramping up efforts to help those in need in the midst of this crisis and need your help. Just be sure to do some research before sending funds.

Investment scams

With the markets taking a massive hit, people are understandably worried about protecting their investments. Enter scammers with the solution to all your problems. In February, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a warning to the public to be on the lookout for coronavirus-related investment scams.

One type of scheme is tied to products and services that may be helpful in coronavirus prevention, detection, or treatment. Scammers claim that stocks of publicly-traded companies providing these products or services will increase dramatically. They persuade people to purchase these stocks with promises of future gains.

Then, once the stock price has increased (due to mass interest), the scammers sell their stock at the inflated price. The stock price plummets, leaving duped investors with worthless stocks. This is known as a "pump-and-dump" scheme.

General misinformation

While some fake news can be seemingly harmless, in many cases, it can have a real impact on people's lives. It can even prove fatal as was revealed in Iran where more than 40 people have died after consuming bootleg alcohol, believing it would cure the coronavirus.

Misinformation may be used for various reasons, including to ramp up social media engagement or drive website traffic, but it can have serious consequences. For example, overstating the number of coronavirus cases in a particular area could send nearby residents into a frenzy.

Fake news about the coronavirus outbreak may also be used to sway public opinion about the government, political parties, and individual politicians. It can have a significant and lasting impact on the political climate of various countries.

In some cases, governments have been implicated in the spread of fake news. For example, the US has accused Russia of spreading disinformation regarding the coronavirus. Officials claimed to have uncovered a network of thousands of social media accounts spreading conspiracy theories that essentially blame the US for the outbreak.

Offline impersonation scams

Although this article is focused on online scams, it's worth mentioning that police departments in New Jersey recently issued a warning about scammers going door to door posing as CDC officials.

It's unclear what intentions these imposters have, but it's worth putting the word out to friends and family, especially the elderly and vulnerable. The CDC is not deploying teams to go door to door, and you should not let these people into your homes.

Tips to help you avoid COVID-19 scams

Knowledge of these scams is the best defense. Note that scammers will continuously find ways to take advantage of people, so as the situation continues to unfold, you need to be on high alert for other types of schemes that might evolve. Here are our top tips for avoiding coronavirus scams:

1. Use common sense

Although this global crisis is inciting panic, it's important to keep a level head and think rationally. For a start, if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. If you're being offered "secret information" or an "exclusive deal" by a stranger, consider if this is legitimate.

It's also worth noting that friends and family members may not be educated about these schemes and could be more likely to make poor decisions when feeling scared or overwhelmed. It's especially important to check in with elderly friends and relatives. According to statistics, seniors are at high risk of developing serious symptoms due to the coronavirus. This makes it even more likely than usual that they'll be targeted with scams.

2. Learn to spot phishing emails and sites

Phishing emails are becoming more sophisticated, but there are still some common tell-tale signs that something's not right. First, look at the sender's email address and check that it looks real. Scammers will often register domains with slight misspellings to make an email address look legitimate.

Other common signs of a phishing email are poor spelling or grammar, and a sense of urgency in the tone. Charity scams in particular will often use high-pressure tactics to get you to hand over money quickly. If you have any doubt about the authenticity of an email, contact the company directly using a phone number or email address found via a web search.

Government agencies such as the WHO or CDC will never ask you to send money or banking information.

Never click attachments or links in an email that you don't fully trust. If you're unsure about where a link is sending you, you can hover over the anchor text to see the URL. If it doesn't match what you're expecting, don't click.

If you do end up clicking a link, there are ways to check if you've landed on a phishing site. Looking for a secure site (with HTTPS in the address and a padlock symbol in the address bar) can help, although many phishing sites now have this feature. Other tell-tale signs of a phishing site are outdated copyright information, poor grammar, and lack of an "about" page and contact information.

3. Only purchase from trusted sites

If you do need to stock up on supplies, be it medication or other household goods, make sure you're purchasing from reputable sites. As mentioned, looking for HTTPS sites can help, but it's not foolproof. Ideally, stick to well-known companies and avoid third-party sellers.

When you make any purchase online, it's better to use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards usually offer more protection and give you a better chance of getting your money back if you are scammed.

4. Use antivirus software

While antivirus software won't help in the social engineering element of a scam, it can help protect you to some extent. A good antivirus should be able to detect and block known threats, for example, to prevent malware from being downloaded onto your device.

If malware does find its way through initial defenses, antivirus software might be able to detect it so you can remove it as soon as possible.

5. Visit reputable sites for coronavirus information

The problem with getting all of your news from your social media newsfeeds is it's often difficult to tell where it's really coming from. Even some reputable news sites pick up on stories with misinformation.

For reliable coronavirus news, you're best off sticking with sites like those run by the WHO and CDC. These may not be updated as regularly as your favorite tabloid news site, but the information will likely be more reliable.

While severity of the COVID-19 outbreak will diminish eventually, it looks set to be around long enough for many more scams to take place. In general, these types of schemes are under-reported. Often, people assume that no one will be able to help them, or they feel embarrassed about falling for a scam.

The spread of coronavirus could compound both of these factors. Due to the widespread panic we're seeing, people are likely to fall for more obvious scams than usual. Plus, with the current global crisis, they might feel that their seemingly small misfortune is too insignificant to report.

However, if you've fallen victim to a scam or suspect scam-related activity, it's prudent to report it as soon as possible. If you've lost money, no matter how hopeless it seems, there's a chance you could be reimbursed. Perhaps more importantly, it's important to get the word out to family, friends, and the general public to minimize the number of people who become victims.

We go into detail about how to report a scam in a separate post, but here's a brief list of where to turn depending on which country you're in. Note that you should also inform your local law enforcement agency of any scams.

US

UK

Canada

Australia

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Avoid coronavirus scams: What you need to know

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Coronavirus disease ( also known as COVID-19) is dominating the news and sending people across the globe into panic. Of course, it was only a matter of time before cybercriminals would find ways to take advantage of this global crisis. As if the prospect of the virus isn't bad enough, several coronavirus scams have been doing the rounds online.

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This website signposts you in the direction of specific help.

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Here is a financial support leaflet from Welsh Government in Welsh.

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Here is a financial support leaflet from Welsh Government.

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A PDF with advice for looking after your mental health in Welsh.

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40598 - Coronavirus - Looking after you're Mental Wellbeing Welsh WEB

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A PDF with advice for looking after your mental health.

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40598 - Coronavirus - Looking after you're Mental Wellbeing WEB

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A PDF guide providing tools to support people with Dementia

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My good friend and colleague with the 'Cardiff and Vale Young Onset Dementia Service', Tim Nicholls, has shared this important document with me this morning.

It contains a range of multi-media suggestions and links for on-line activities for people with dementia to access during this time of lockdown and isolation.

It would seem to be essential reading for all CST activities coordinators and facilitators. Also supporters and carers across community settings. The pdf document is linked here - https://fe0f3f0a-112f-4706-9e4a-a6ff08bc3746.usrfiles.com/ugd/fe0f3f_6e7dc0cd7748441ab5cc946b983fa8ee.pdf

Please share this around, as much as you can.

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Activities For Older Adults During COVID-19

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My good friend and colleague with the 'Cardiff and Vale Young Onset Dementia Service', Tim Nicholls, has shared this important document with me this morning. It contains a range of multi-media suggestions and links for on-line activities for people with dementia to access during this time of lockdown and isolation.

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Other support from us

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These are worrying times, particularly for people who are facing the prospect of self-isolating for periods of anywhere between 2-12 weeks.

Thankfully, for many people, digital technology means they will be able to socialise online, shop for groceries, find health information and access resources and activities to keep them occupied.

For some however, particularly those who are elderly or vulnerable, this might not be the case. But we can all help support our colleagues, friends and neighbours who need help to use digital technology at this time.

Become a digital companion

Digital companions are people who support a friend, neighbour or family member to get online and use technology. If you know someone who needs one-to-one support from a trusted friend, let them know you're willing to help them. Whilst you may not be able to see them face-to-face (if they have a pre-existing health condition or are vulnerable, you must stay away to control the spread of the virus), you can talk them through simple tasks on the phone.

Learn my Way - learn how to use the internet

Learn My Way is a website of free online courses, built by our partners the Good Things Foundation, to help people develop their digital skills.

The website contains over 30 free courses designed to help beginners get started with the online basics - using a mouse, keyboard, setting up email accounts and using internet search engines - while also offering plenty to help people develop their digital skills further. There are modules to help people make video calls, socialise online and shop online.

Please signpost people to these useful resources. You could even work through the modules with them over the phone if they need support.

Support from DCW

Our DCW digital inclusion advisors are on hand to provide help with enquiries about digital inclusion and helping people get online in light of the Coronavirus. We can provide advice via telephone or through video conferencing - just phone us on 0300 111 5050 or email digitalcommunities@wales.coop if you need our support. Events are moving very fast, we are working as a team to develop specific resources that will be accessible in the coming days and weeks on this website.

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These are worrying times, particularly for people who are facing the prospect of self-isolating for periods of anywhere between 2-12 weeks. Thankfully, for many people, digital technology means they will be able to socialise online, shop for groceries, find health information and access resources and activities to keep them occupied.

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Some free online board games.

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Great games just for you!

The best games of yesterday and today, adapted for online play.

Ark Nova, Terraforming Mars, CATAN, Wingspan, Azul, Forest Shuffle, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, The Castles of Burgundy, Zombicide 2nd Edition, Terraforming Mars: The Dice Game, Splendor, Harmonies, Agricola, 7 Wonders Duel, Space Base, Azul: Queen's Garden, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Heat: Pedal to the Metal, Sea Salt & Paper, 6 nimmt!, It's a Wonderful World, Can't Stop, Ticket to Ride: Europe, Hanabi, 7 Wonders, Nucleum, Splendor Duel, The White Castle, Castle Combo

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Board Game Arena - Play board games online for free!

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The world's largest online board gaming community. 1000+ games available directly in your browser.

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Welsh Subtitles

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How to use Attend Anywhere for patients (Welsh subtitles)

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Appointments by Attend Anywhere (Welsh Subtitles)

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How to use the NHS Wales Video Consulting Service

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How to use the NHS Wales Video Consulting Service

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TEC Cymru - How to use the NHS Wales Video Consulting Service for patients

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Watch other people play games, and interact with them to reduce your isolation

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Twitch is an interactive livestreaming service for content spanning gaming, entertainment, sports, music, and more. There's something for everyone on Twitch.

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Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Read more.

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Click for accurate and up to date information on Covid-19

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Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

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The RSPB exists to help our natural places survive and thrive and we would like to capture these astonishing moments of ...

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The Wildlife Trusts are a federation of 46 independent wildlife conservation charities covering the whole of the UK. We manage nature reserves, help children to learn about nature and campaign to protect our seas.

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From helping you relax to boosting productivity, listening to bird song has so many benefits

You could use it:

To help you switch off and de-stress

As an alarm clock, for a gentle way to start the day

To help you focus while studying or working

As a soundtrack for meditation

To bring some calm to your daily commute

However you choose to listen, we hope that bird song will brighten your day.

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Birdsong Radio | Bird Song mp3 to Download or Stream - The RSPB

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From helping you relax to boosting productivity, listening to bird song has so many benefits You could use it: To help you switch off and de-stress As an alarm clock, for a gentle way to start the day To help you focus while studying or working As a soundtrack for meditation To bring some calm to your daily commute However you choose to listen, we hope that bird song will brighten your day.

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Public Health Wales is the national public health agency in Wales and exists to protect and improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities for people in Wales. We are part of the NHS and report to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport in the Welsh Government.

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Specific advice for mental health with Coronavirus

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Specific advice for mental health with Coronavirus

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Many of us have faced difficult personal, financial or physical challenges during the pandemic, and it's natural that this can have an impact on our mental health.

⚠️ We're updating the information on this page in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. The advice on this page may change significantly as the situation continues to develop.

Page last updated: 30 March 2022

As we adjust to the end of restrictions, it's normal that we may each feel differently about how this affects our lives. You could be feeling uncertain about what you should or shouldn't be doing, or worried about what may happen in the future. You might be feeling nervous about what new pressures or expectations the end of restrictions has brought, even if you are looking forward to being able to do more this year.

Whatever you are feeling is OK. There is no right or wrong way to react. Coronavirus has impacted all of our lives and it's natural that these uncertain and challenging times are continuing to affect people's mental health and wellbeing.

It's important to be kind to yourself and take things at your own pace. We've all faced challenges over the past two years and it's OK if you still need time to readjust. If you're finding things tough, try to talk about how you are feeling with others. You're not alone.

At Samaritans, we're committed to helping you if you're struggling to cope, however we can. Our volunteers are always here to listen and won't judge or tell you what to do. Find out more about contacting a Samaritan here.

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If you're worried about your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic

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Many of us have faced difficult personal, financial or physical challenges during the pandemic, and it's natural that this can have an impact on our mental health. ⚠️ We're updating the information on this page in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. The advice on this page may change significantly as the situation continues to develop.

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We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Find information on COVID-19, including guidance and support.

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Group video chat

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Warning signs you may be struggling to cope

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Warning signs you may be struggling to cope

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Things to look out for in yourself when you're finding everyday life hard.

Maybe you can't quite put your finger on it, but you're not feeling okay.

You might be feeling tired more often, be feeling emotional, and you might not want to do the things that you usually enjoy right now.

Struggling to cope with everyday life doesn't look or feel the same in everyone. We can't generalise about how it'll make you feel or act.

Samaritans are here to listen. You can call us on 116 123, email us at [email protected] or write us a letter.

You don't have to feel suicidal to get in touch. Only 1 person in 5 who calls Samaritans says that they feel suicidal.

Read our tips

Practical ways to help yourself cope

Signs to look out for

Lacking energy or feeling tired

Feeling exhausted all the time

Experiencing 'brain fog', find it hard to think clearly

Finding it hard to concentrate

Feeling restless and agitated

Feeling tearful, wanting to cry all the time

Not wanting to talk to or be with people

Not wanting to do things you usually enjoy

Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings

Finding it hard to cope with everyday things and tasks

Experiencing 'burn out'

If you don't see what you're feeling on this list, please still get in touch. You might also find our suggestions and tips for ways to help yourself cope useful.

And if you do think these symptoms sound like you, or someone you know, please still get in touch on 116 123, at [email protected] , or in another way that suits you.

If you're worried about someone else, we can help too.

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Things to look out for in yourself when you're finding everyday life hard. Maybe you can't quite put your finger on it, but you're not feeling okay. You might be feeling tired more often, be feeling emotional, and you might not want to do the things that you usually enjoy right now.

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Come enjoy The Original Word Play! Grab your mobile device and prove you have what it takes to best your friends and family in this addictive multiplayer game. Whether you need to relax after a long day, or are looking to train your brain, Words With Friends Classic is perfect for you! Make sure to keep your mind sharp as you choose the perfect move on the board, as one word can be the difference between victory and defeat!
Are you looking for a way to build your vocabulary by yourself? Our Solo Challenge is the answer! There is no better way to train your brain than against our fiendish word masters. Looking for new friends with whom to play puzzle games? You can practice your crossword skills with our random opponent matchmaking. No matter if you play with friends old or new, stay connected with our in-game chat, and track your progress with unlockable stats.
Think you're the best at word games of all your friends? Prove it by racking up points and beating your Weekly Challenge!

For more information, see our Terms of Service: https://www.zynga.com/legal/terms-of-service and Privacy Policy: https://www.zynga.com/privacy/policy"

"The game is free to play; however, in-app purchases are available for additional content and in-game currency."

Just another title from Zynga's Games With Friends™

Version 15.92.0

Play your best words in the latest release from Words With Friends!

Compete with friends and family or find the perfect match to complete your Daily Goals!

Smoother gameplay than ever before with new updates and bug fixes.

WWF is all about cheating

This game has always allowed cheating. You can try using words you don't know without penalty. You can see the tiles your challenger has at the end of the game. Etc.
But now you play against people who can swap letters without losing a turn, and you'll never know it. We all have played games where we end up getting crappy letters the entire time. It's frustrating, but it's the luck of the draw.
I don't think it's too much to ask of the developers to have matches where you agree to not use swap + and other cheats that you can purchase. Everyone who plays a game should have the same rules. (I realize they want to make money from these cheats, but the relentless ads should be making them money too.)
The game has speed games and solo games with separate boards already. Just add a true WWF classic mode that doesn't allow paid cheats. It's not that much to ask, if you want to keep all your customers happy.
At this point, I'm going to stop playing with real people and just play the solo mode. Or maybe just stop playing altogether. That means much less ad revenue for them, when they could just allow another format instead.

Switcheroo

Years ago I paid for the ad free/contest free version of wwf because all I want to do is play the game. You added these so called 'enhancements' without asking for my permission. I am so sick of playing a word and then having to wait for all the stupid 'congratulations, you've made the word of the day' or 'your new word of the day is...', which actually turns out to be the word of the hour when I play multiple games a day. I want you to remove all the extraneous junk from my games please. What I paid for is the game, not all the dumb congrats boxes and awards. From reading other reviews, I am one of probably thousands of others who are not happy with your so-called improvements. It seems to me that either you remove the ads and silly boxes of awards, congrats, and other things we didn't pay for or we are all owed our money back. Of the 2 choices, I prefer you remove the junk so that I can play wwf without interruption. I'm giving the game itself 4 stars because by itself, it's almost a perfect game. Thank you.

Words With Friends is no Scrabble

Where to begin? I guess it's my fault for expecting that this game was Scrabble or a reasonable facsimile. I am an avid Scrabble player and take pride in my vocabulary. Imagine my shock when all of a sudden words that ARE NOT WORDS began to show up as accepted by this game. And imagine my even BIGGER shock when I looked up these so called words in the game's definition section and find that AT THIS TIME WE HAVE NO DEFINITION FOR THIS WORD BUT WE ARE WORKING ON IT.....huh? And the skip your turn option with no penalty? And the option to see where you can make the best play? Why bother playing at all? I have told my friends who play with me that if they are using those options, cross me off their list. I do not use them ever. And as for some doozy "words" my friends come up with....they tell me they throw everything at the wall to see what sticks. Oh, fun. So why do I play? Oh I don't know.....bored I guess. If anyone else feels like I do, there's real Scrabble at a site called Word Biz that is an Internet Scrabble Club and is true Scrabble. I play it on my computer and it's awesome. One more thing....I find all the non-game interruptions annoying. I know I can delete the app anytime I want but I do enjoy the actual strategy of playing a straight-forward game with no "help" options. One more observation.....how can a word be a word if it has no definition?

The developer, Zynga Inc., indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

Compatibility

iPhone

Requires iOS 11.0 or later.

iPad

Requires iPadOS 11.0 or later.

iPod touch

Requires iOS 11.0 or later.

Languages

English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

In-App Purchases

1. Handful of Coins $4.99

2. Pack of Coins $0.99

3. Stack of Coins $9.99
more

Family Sharing

With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.

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‎Come enjoy The Original Word Play! Grab your mobile device and prove you have what it takes to best your friends and family in this addictive multiplayer game. Whether you need to relax after a long day, or are looking to train your brain, Words With Friends Classic is perfect for you!

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Free games to play online.

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Our collection of free online games will keep you entertained for days!

Are you a solitaire enthusiast? We're the solitaire experts - we created the suite of solitaire games that come pre-installed on every computer with Microsoft Windows. Or are you a mahjong master? We have tons of free mahjong games that are hugely popular, including Mahjong Dimensions, Mahjong Candy, and the classic Mahjong Solitaire. Or are you an expert with word games and puzzles? Our suite of online games includes enough crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, word search games, and sudoku puzzle games to give you a serious mental workout! All of our games are free and unblocked, so you can enjoy playing them all day, every day. Go play any of our free games, and have fun!

What are the best free online games?

Here are the top (most popular) free online games you can play right now.

Where can I play free casino games online?

The most popular casino game is Free Online Blackjack. But if Poker is more your speed, then check out Texas Hold'em, or if you're up for a real challenge, try any of our other free online poker games.

Is it safe to play free online games?

Playing free online games won't get you any malware if you're playing on a reputable and secure website. Arkadium makes sure that your privacy and personal details are safe and secure. There's no risk of getting any malware when you play on Arkadium.com. You can read more about how we keep you safe in our Privacy Policy.

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Play Free Online Games in the United Kingdom | Instantly Play for Free | Arkadium

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Our collection of free online games will keep you entertained for days! Are you a solitaire enthusiast? We're the solitaire experts - we created the suite of solitaire games that come pre-installed on every computer with Microsoft Windows. Or are you a mahjong master?

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i make shtuff for curious & playful peeps

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Large collection of free online games.

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Games.co.uk is where you can try many of the world's best HTML5 games. There's everything here from incredibly famous games like Five Nights at Freddy's to a wide variety of cooking games that are great for foodies of all ages. We even have stickman games like Stickman Warrior, Stickman Archer, and Stickman Soccer.

Our enormous collection of free online games has all sorts of classic and new titles that players both young and old are sure to love. You can compete against thousands of gamers in the 2 player game Slither.io while you fight to create a super-powerful snake capable of dominating its opponents.

Games.co.uk is a British gaming website that includes plenty of cool racing games, sniper games, io games, football games, makeup games, and car games.

There's tons of free games to play here, and our website is continuously updated with new titles all the time. There's always something fresh, exciting, and totally awesome to play for the first or 500th time at games.co.uk!

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Free games online - Games for kids and families - Games.co.uk

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Games.co.uk is the best place to play free games online including football games, io games, shooting games, and many more crazy games.

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Directory of forums covering every type of interest and hobby.

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Find A Forum - The Ultimate Directory of Internet Discussion Forums

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Help and advice around mental health issues.

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Find information and support for your mental health.

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Listen to and watch music videos for free.

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Listening to audio programmes, or podcasts, is simple if you have access to the internet. You just need to find a podcast platform or app that suits you and then sample some of the many thousands of podcasts made around the world. All podcasts are free, and most are available via many different apps.

On a website

The simplest way to listen to podcasts is on a web browser like Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge. You can do this from a computer or from the web browser on your phone.

Find a website that has podcasts you like, for example the Guardian.

Find the player on the page, check your device's sound is switched on and click play to listen to the podcast.

On your iPhone or iPad

If you have an iPhone you can use the Apple podcasts app to listen to podcasts.

The Podcasts app should already be downloaded on your phone so search your apps for 'Podcasts'. If it's not, go to the app store and download it.

Open the Podcast app and go to the search page (click on the magnifying glass button in the navigation at the bottom).

A search box should appear at the top, next to another magnifying glass icon. Tap on this and type in the name of the podcast you want to find eg: "Guardian Books". Hit "enter" on your keyboard.

Choose the podcast you want from the search results and tap on it. This should take you to the podcast's homepage.

Once you're on the podcast homepage you'll see a list of recent episodes. Tap on one to play it.

If you like what you hear, a subscribe button at the top of the page lets you subscribe for free. This means the app will automatically download the latest episodes to your library.

More information from Apple here.

On your Android phone

If you have an Android phone you can use the Google podcasts app.

Search "Google podcasts" in the play store app or click this link on your phone to open it in the store.

Install the app.

Once you open the app, use the search box (look out for the magnifying glass icon) and type in the name of the podcast you want to find eg: Football Weekly.

Choose the podcast you want from the search results and tap on it again. This should take you to the podcast's homepage.

Once on the podcast homepage you should see a list of most recent episodes. Tap on one to play it.

If you like it, tap the subscribe button at the top of the page. When you subscribe to a podcast, it'll appear at the top of the Google podcasts app, and a new section in the app will let you know about new episodes from podcasts you've subscribed to. You should also be able to listen to podcasts from the Google search app, just search for the name of the podcast.

And, if you're interested in finding new, lesser-known podcasts or recommending your favourites, then sign up for our weekly newsletter, Hear here, at theguardian.com/podcasts.

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How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know

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Listening to audio programmes, or podcasts, is simple if you have access to the internet. You just need to find a podcast platform or app that suits you and then sample some of the many thousands of podcasts made around the world. All podcasts are free, and most are available via many different apps.

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Podcasts from around the world.

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Stream Podcasts | Free Internet Radio | TuneIn

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Stream Podcasts free online. Listen to free internet radio, sports, music, news, talk and podcasts. Stream live events, live play-by-play NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, college football, NCAA basketball, and Premier League matches. CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ESPN, BBC, NPR.

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Podcasts on Apple devices.

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‎Discover podcasts that entertain, inform, and inspire. Explore shows you’ll love from entertainment and comedy to news and sports. Features:
• Stream millions of shows, from the biggest names to the best independents.
• Access premium shows with subscriptions.
• Follow shows and save your favori…

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Use WhatsApp to message or video call others.

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WhatsApp | Secure and Reliable Free Private Messaging and Calling

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Use WhatsApp Messenger to stay in touch with friends and family. WhatsApp is free and offers simple, secure, reliable messaging and calling, available on phones all over the world.

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Podcasts from the BBC

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Award-winning podcasts that hook you in, make you think, or just make you laugh. Subscribe and listen now.

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Music on any device. Use for free or subscribe to have total control.

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Spotify - Web Player: Music for everyone

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Spotify is a digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs.

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Fun site that lets you click on locations around the world to listen to radio stations.

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Explore live radio by rotating the globe.

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Listen to BBC radio stations and podcasts.

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Listen without limits, with BBC Sounds. Catch the latest music tracks, discover binge-worthy podcasts, or listen to radio shows - all whenever you want.

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Listen to UK radio stations on your device.

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Listen button above), or download an app for your iPhone, iPad, Android device or Amazon FIRE tablet. You'll find us on Alexa ('Ask Radioplayer to play....'), Sonos and Bose speakers, and even in your car via CarPlay or Android Auto.

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Free or subscribed versions.

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Deezer | Listen to music | Online music streaming platform

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The power of music. 120 million tracks, new music, exclusive features, on iOS and Android. Discover now

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Free 30 day trail. You must cancel if you don't want to pay monthly after 30 days!

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50 million songs with new releases from today's most popular artists. Download songs and albums to listen offline wherever you are. Always ad-free.

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Use for free or subscribe for total control of what you listen to.

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Stream 60 million songs, ad-free on Apple Music. Shop HomePod, AirPods and headphones. And build your entertainment collection with iPod and iTunes.

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Use Facebook messenger to message or video call others.

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Hang out wherever, whenever! Messenger makes it easy and fun to stay close to your favourite people.

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Use Skype to video call from an Android device or computer.

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​Want to be the hero on your next call? 🦸

Did you know Skype Bing mashup happened? Here are the results - a unique high-quality background images in your Skype calls! And that's not all, you can now kill time by searching up the image and exploring more about the beautiful scenery and places you see on your background!

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Skype | Stay connected with free video calls worldwide

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Keep in touch with free video chat, messaging & affordable international calls. Create instant online video calls with one click, no download required.

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Use Facetime on an Apple device to video call family and friends

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Learn how to use FaceTime to make video and audio calls from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

You can use FaceTime over Wi-Fi¹ or over mobile data on supported iOS or iPadOS devices². FaceTime isn't available or might not appear on devices purchased or used in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan.However, with iOS 11.3 and later, FaceTime is available on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in Saudi Arabia.And with iOS 12.4 or later, FaceTime is available on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in Pakistan. Update your device to get FaceTime in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Turn on FaceTime

Open the FaceTime app and sign in with your Apple ID. You can also do this from Settings > FaceTime.

If you're using an iPhone, FaceTime automatically registers your phone number. To also register your email address on your iPhone, go to Settings > FaceTime > Use your Apple ID for FaceTime, and sign in with your Apple ID.

If you're using an iPad or iPod touch, register your email address by tapping Settings > FaceTime > Use your Apple ID for FaceTime, and sign in with your Apple ID.

Use FaceTime Audio with Call Waiting

When another call comes in - either a phone call or another FaceTime audio call - you can choose one of these options:

End the current call and accept the incoming call.

Accept the incoming call and put the current call on hold.

Decline the incoming call.

Use your Memoji in FaceTime

On an iPhone X or later or an iPad with Face ID, you can create a Memoji to match your personality and mood, then use the Memoji during a FaceTime video call:

1. Open FaceTime and make a call.

2. When the call starts, tap the effects button .

3. Tap the Memoji that you want to use.

4. Continue your FaceTime call with your customised Memoji, or tap the X button to continue without a Memoji or go back to the FaceTime menu.

To change your Animoji or Memoji, or to remove it during a FaceTime call, repeat steps 2-4.

Use FaceTime Live Photos

With iOS 12.1.4 and later and iPadOS, you can capture moments with your friends and family using Live Photos during a FaceTime video call. Here's how:

1. Start a FaceTime video call.

2. Tap the shutter button to take a photo.

3. Go to your Photos app to find the photos you saved.

To save FaceTime Live Photos, all participants need iOS 12.1.4 or later, or iPadOS. Not all features of FaceTime Live Photos are available with earlier versions of iOS. FaceTime Live Photos doesn't work with iOS 11.

1. You can use FaceTime on any of these devices on Wi-Fi: iPhone 4 or later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad 2 or later, iPad mini (all models), and iPod touch 4th generation or later (only iPod touch 5th generation or later support FaceTime audio calling).

2. With a mobile data plan, you can also use FaceTime without Wi-Fi on any of these devices: iPhone 4s or later, iPad Pro (all models), and iPad (3rd generation or later).

3. When you tap a person's contact information, FaceTime tries to connect using any FaceTime-enabled numbers or addresses that you have stored for that person. To avoid placing calls to unintended recipients, make sure your contacts are accurate and don't contain old or unused information.

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Use FaceTime with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

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Learn how to use FaceTime to make video and audio calls from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You can use FaceTime over Wi-Fi1 or over mobile data on supported iOS or iPadOS devices2 .

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Challenge yourself with the most popular memory app for adults

Train your memory with fast and fun games designed by the Lumosity research team. With a variety of games targeting specific types of memory, like working memory, short term memory, and spatial recall, the biggest challenge might be choosing what you'll play first! (We recommend them all.)1

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Challenge yourself with the most popular memory app for adults Train your memory with fast and fun games designed by the Lumosity research team. With a variety of games targeting specific types of memory, like working memory, short term memory, and spatial recall, the biggest challenge might be choosing what you'll play first!

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Sudoku is a fun puzzle game once you get the hang of it. At the same time, learning to play Sudoku can be a bit intimidating for beginners. So, if you are a complete beginner, here are a few Sudoku tips that you can use to improve your Sudoku skills.

Tip 1: Look for rows, columns of 3×3 sections that contain 5 or more numbers. Work through the remaining empty cells, trying the numbers that have not been used. In many cases, you will find numbers that can only be placed in one position considering the other numbers that are already in its row, column, and 3×3 grid.

Tip 2: Break the grid up visually into 3 columns and 3 rows. Each large column will have 3, 3×3 grids and each row will have 3, 3×3 grids. Now, look for columns or grids that have 2 of the same number. Logically, there must be a 3rd copy of the same number in the only remaining 9-cell section. Look at each of the remaining 9 positions and see if you can find the location of the missing number.

Now that you know a little more about Sudoku, play and enjoy this free online game.

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Play Free Sudoku online - solve web sudoku puzzles

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Play free Sudoku online from Easy to Expert level on Sudoku.com. Select a difficulty level of a web sudoku puzzle to challenge yourself and enjoy the game!

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The world’s largest supply of crossword puzzles, playable for free online. Tablet and phone friendly.

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Crosswords | Online and free | The Guardian

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Free crosswords that can be completed online by mobile, tablet and desktop, and are printable. Daily easy, quick and cryptic crosswords puzzles.

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Play different types of Scrabble games

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Play online scrabble and word games in browser for free with your friends. Select letters and connect it to make real words to learn english dictionary. Come and play agains computer or with other players on Just Words game.

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Millions of games to download for your Apple device

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Ratings and Reviews

The streamlined ratings system makes it easy to see how much an app is loved. And when a developer answers a question, everyone can see the response.

Editors' Choice Badge

This seal of approval is given to apps and games that really deserve a download. If you see this, you know it's going to be extraordinary.

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The streamlined ratings system makes it easy to see how much an app is loved. And when a developer answers a question, everyone can see the response. This seal of approval is given to apps and games that really deserve a download. If you see this, you know it's going to be extraordinary.

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Use this to find games to play on an Android device

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Enjoy millions of the latest Android apps, games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines & more. Anytime, anywhere, across your devices.

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YouTube has millions of videos, including old television shows and music. All for free!

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Hundreds of television shows and films.

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Prime Video: Watch movies, TV shows, sports, and live TV

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Stream popular movies, TV shows, sports, and live TV included with Prime, and even more with subscriptions. Watch anywhere, anytime.

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Netflix has hundreds of films and television shows. You can log in using a family members account as long as they're happy for you to do so.

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You can also download your favorite shows with the iOS, Android, or Windows 10 app. Use downloads to watch while you're on the go and without an internet connection. Take Netflix with you anywhere.

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Netflix - Watch TV Shows Online, Watch Movies Online

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Watch Netflix movies & TV shows online or stream right to your smart TV, game console, PC, Mac, mobile, tablet and more.

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What to do if you think someone isn't OK

If you think it's an emergency

What to do if you think someone is in immediate danger.

How to support someone you're worried about

What to do if you think someone you know isn't OK.

Supporting someone with suicidal thoughts

What to do if you think someone is considering taking their own life.

How can I support someone who has self-harmed?

It can be hard to know what to say when someone you care for is hurting themselves.

Myths about suicide

Understanding the facts can help you to help someone struggling to cope.

If you're worried about someone else during the coronavirus pandemic

Reaching out to someone can make a big difference if they’re going through a tough time.

Little tips for helping someone open up when something’s up

You don’t have to be an expert to help someone open up when something’s up. The fact that you care is what matters.

How to recognise and support someone who may be lonely

If you think someone might be lonely, there are things you can do to help ease some of those feelings.

Myths about loneliness

By challenging common myths about loneliness, we can help tackle the stigma that’s often attached to it.

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What to do if you think someone isn't OK.

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Visit BBC News for up-to-the-minute news, breaking news, video, audio and feature stories. BBC News provides trusted World and UK news as well as local and regional perspectives. Also entertainment, business, science, technology and health news.