We will develop a new low cost way to protect vulnerable internet users who currently have very little support. Our project will enhance the lives of these users by giving them the confidence to live and work online.

Vulnerable members of the community include people with learning disabilities, elderly people, or people who have already been victims of crime. These groups are routinely and increasingly targeted by online criminals.

The impact of cyber crime on victims is not only financial. The emotional impact is significant and includes guilt, misplaced trust and diminished confidence, which can have detrimental effects on the physical and mental health of the victim, as well as increased social isolation.

The products and services which have been developed to protect this market have historically focused on the needs and budgets of commercial companies and are not affordable for the vulnerable individuals most in need of the protection.

The service we will develop will use open source software as well as specialist software and services kindly donated by commercial companies. It will be developed over the next year and we hope it will be ready for full testing by June 2019. Money donated will pay for rent, equipment and some specialist services we will need to pay for to get it set up.