UK ISP TalkTalk Talks Security and Offers Free History TV Channel

Users of TalkTalk’s broadband based TV bundles are being offered a “taster week” of free access to the History Channel, which runs from 14th to 21st March 2016. On top of that the ISP has also reiterated their commitment to security in the wake of several recent scams and cyber-attacks.

The History channel is usually part of TalkTalk TV’s paid for channels and is available in the Entertainment Boost (+£5 per month) and Entertainment Extra Boost (+£10 per month), both of which also include other channels like Sky One, Fox and Comedy Central etc.

Separately the provider has also issued a small update about security, which includes some new customer information but not a lot else.

TalkTalk’s Viewpoint on Security

In 2011 we pioneered Homesafe, the first free filtering service to put parents in control of the content their children see online. In the same year, we became the first provider to launch free security features, as well as free scam and nuisance call blocking on our network.

We remain determined to do more, both within our own business (where we are implementing a major ongoing programme of security work), and also externally. In order to raise awareness of the risks and to share key learnings from our own experience, today TalkTalk is:

· Launching an in-depth journal (link) on the issue of cybercrime, with contributions ranging from law enforcement and security experts to hackers themselves. We hope this will provide a useful contribution to the debate, as well as some clear, practical information for businesses and consumers;

· Publishing new, simple guidelines for customers, helping them to identify potentially fraudulent communications by explaining the things we would never do. We call these our ‘Nevers’, and you can read them here;

· Formally partnering on a programme of activities with Get Safe Online, the UK’s leading awareness resource helping to protect people, finances, devices and businesses from fraud.

To read the cybercrime journal, click here. To join the conversation, see #freudscybercrime on Twitter.

On the one hand it’s good to have the extra information, but on the other the impact of recent events (e.g. here and here) remains fresh in the minds of many consumers and TalkTalk still haven’t been able to restore their Service Status page.