As the world’s communication technologies advance, the risk of being cyber attacked heightens.

We went to Strand Street in Douglas to ask shoppers how often they change their passwords and whether they worry about their online safety.

Don Bonnett, 36, from Kirk Michael, said: ’I haven’t changed my password. I don’t feel the need to.

’I always check the certificates of companies beforehand.’

As a young dad he said he’d make sure to have a grasp on cyber safety when his child is old enough to use the internet.

Peel couple Charlotte and Rob Rhodes, 25 and 29 respectively, said they don’t often think about cyber security and have never had any training in it.

’It’s the last thing on my mind, but I feel quite safe online,’ said Charlotte. ’My password’s stayed the same.’

Rob said: ’I always get emails from Apple saying "your ID has been changed", but I don’t have an account so I know that’s a scam.’

Charlotte continued: ’Some emails don’t have an email address, but have lots of numbers. You obviously know it’s a scam. You need to double check to see if there’s an email you can reply to or a phone number.’

The couple take care when their young son uses the internet and educate him on issues such as ’stranger danger’.

Rob added: ’We don’t tend to post lots of things online. We just show pictures to family via WhatsApp.’

Marcia Brabbs, 53, from Onchan, said: ’I pay attention, but I don’t worry about it. I know there are concerns and I keep track of my passwords and have software that have various protection. I don’t give out my passwords.’

She is friends with a police officer who worked in data protection, who keeps her equipment updated.

’He’s a good source of information to have and will recommend software as soon as anything changes,’ she said.

She believes training in cyber security within school should be considered as ’life skills’. ’It definitely needs to be a part of school,’ she added.

Joy Boylan, 67, from Maughold, said: ’I don’t know how it all works. My daughter does it all for me - she’s a clever girl.’

Her daughter Jade, 28, said: ’My mum is very wary and my dad is overly wary when it comes to doing anything online.

’I have a Mac and I know there are still viruses that can target Macs, but generally I feel safer using it. I know what to look for to avoid cyber attacks.’

She said she get emails with no proper address given. ’It’s when they have the generic "dear customer" or "dear user", it’s plain sense to ignore it.

’I have nearly fallen for them [emails claiming to be something she’s subscribed to] many times, but it’s when they’re asking for things they should already know and I realise its a scam.’

Cyber security, she said, was never covered when she was at school.

Douglas resident Lisa McDermott, 29, said she had just received emails that were scammers claiming to be Amazon.

’It’s quite common now. You get them quite regularly,’ she said.

’I’m more worried for the elderly in the community because I think [our generation is] quite aware about this.’