In our increasingly digital world, online safety is paramount, especially for families and local businesses. The Online Safety Act 2023, which came into full effect on 25 July 2025, aims to make the UK the safest place online. As local experts in computer security, virus removal, and IT support at PC Fixer Computer Repairs, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and keep your devices protected.
Why Was the Online Safety Act Introduced?
The Act was introduced to protect both children and adults from harmful online content. This includes illegal material such as child exploitation, terrorism, and fraud, as well as legal but harmful content like bullying or misinformation. Key drivers behind it include growing concerns over online harms, particularly to young people, with platforms now required to carry out risk assessments, implement content filtering, and enforce age verification to block access to inappropriate material, such as pornography. The benefits are clear: it empowers the regulator Ofcom to enforce these duties on social media, search engines, and other services, fostering a safer digital environment for all UK users.
Emerging Security Risks from the Act
While the Act promotes greater safety, it also introduces new challenges. Platforms are now mandated to collect and store more personal data for age verification, such as IDs or biometric information, resulting in this data being held across multiple databases on various services. This expansion heightens the risk of hacking vulnerabilities, where cybercriminals could breach these systems to access sensitive information, potentially leading to identity theft, fraud, or invasions of privacy—past incidents in similar setups underscore this as a genuine threat. Broader worries include the potential weakening of encryption for scanning messages, which might expose users to even greater cyber threats, transforming safety measures into unintended attack vectors. At PC Fixer, we’ve noticed an uptick in security issues like malware and outdated antivirus software—now more crucial than ever with these shifts in data storage.
How People Are Responding – The VPN Surge
In response to these age checks and restrictions, many users are adapting by using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). These tools mask IP addresses, making it seem as though you’re browsing from outside the UK, thereby granting access to unrestricted content. There’s been a notable surge in VPN downloads right after 25 July, with providers like ProtonVPN seeing over a 1,400% increase in UK sign-ups, and VPN apps dominating the App Store charts. While VPNs can boost privacy, not all are equally secure—free versions might involve data logging or even introduce malware risks. It’s worth weighing the pros, like enhanced privacy, against cons such as potential misuse or reduced speeds.
Some Popular VPN Services Include:
- NordVPN: Often ranked as the best overall VPN, it excels in speed (with only about 3-6% speed loss in tests), a vast server network (over 7,800 servers in 125 countries), strong privacy with a no-logs policy, and excellent streaming support for services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It’s ideal for general use and gaming.
- Proton VPN: Stands out for privacy and transparency, with open-source apps, Secure Core servers for extra encryption, and no data limits on its free tier. It offers high speeds (around 8% loss), over 100 countries, and features like NetShield for ad-blocking and malware protection.
- Surfshark: A budget-friendly option with unlimited device connections, fast speeds (up to 21-25% loss), and features like obfuscation for bypassing restrictions. It has a large network (over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries) and is strong for streaming and privacy, with tools like ad-blockers and rotating IPs.
How PC Fixer Can Help You Stay Secure
With nearly 20 years of experience fixing computers in north and west Cumbria, PC Fixer Computer Repairs offers expert advice and flat-rate home visits to evaluate your device’s security, update your antivirus, and optimise firewalls. We can assist with safe VPN setup, data backups before any upgrades, and speeding up sluggish computers. Contact us for virus removal, Windows 10 or 11 updates, or personalised IT support to handle these developments without risking your privacy.
