Cybersecurity awareness month: don’t get hooked by phishing scams
Virgin Media O2 reports a 285% surge in new phishing threats
Online scams are on the rise – and phishing is leading the charge. Virgin Media’s security partner, Akamai, has revealed a massive 285% jump in new phishing threats over the past year, highlighting just how fast cybercriminals are adapting.
Between July and September 2024, Akamai logged around 60,000 new phishing threats every day. Fast forward to April–June 2025, and that number has rocketed to more than 232,000 daily.
To mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Virgin Media O2 is urging everyone to stay alert – and has shared some simple ways to avoid getting caught out.
How to spot and stop phishing scams
Gareth Lister, Director of Connectivity at Virgin Media O2, shared his top five tips to help you stay safe online:
- Be cautious of unexpected messages
If you get an email, text or call you weren’t expecting – especially one asking for personal or financial details – take a pause. Scammers often pose as trusted names like banks, HMRC, supermarkets, or even the NHS. If you’re unsure, don’t click any links. Instead, visit the organisation’s official website or call their verified number.
- Check the sender details carefully
Fake messages often use lookalike email addresses or URLs. Watch for:
- Odd characters e.g. virginme~diạ.com
- Typos e.g. Virgecom instead of Virgin Media
- Strange endings e.g. xyz instead of .com
- Extra-long domain names e.g. com.winner.ru
If something doesn’t feel right – trust your instincts!
- Never share sensitive information
No legitimate company will ever ask for your PIN, password, or bank details by email, text or phone. If you feel pressured to “act now”, it’s almost certainly a scam.
- Use security tools and 2FA
Virgin Media customers get Essential Security included with their broadband – protecting against phishing and malware. You can also upgrade to Advanced Security (free for the first three months, then £3/month or £30/year) for added protection on the go. Wherever possible, switch on two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your accounts safe even if a password is stolen.
- Report suspicious activity
If you spot a phishing attempt, report it:
Virgin Media O2’s ‘Swerve the Scammers’ Campaign
As part of its wider campaign to protect customers, Virgin Media O2 has:
- Blocked over 600 million scam messages this year alone
- Rolled out AI-powered call detection to warn customers of potential scam calls
- Launched Scam School sessions – free, in-person workshops across the UK designed to help people with low digital confidence learn to recognise and avoid fraud
The initiative comes as research shows 13% of over-65s feel anxious every time they go online due to fear of scams. Learn more here >>
Stay Sharp, Stay Safe
Phishing scams are becoming harder to spot – but with the right tools and awareness, you can protect yourself and your devices. Check your broadband provider’s security features, stay cautious with links and attachments and keep your software up to date.
