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Professional Development – How to stay safe and secure online
26 February @ 10:00 - 11:30 GMT
Join author and editorial trainer, Adam LeBor as he hosts his first of three #SoAatHome sessions focusing on the safety and security of the online world.
This event is the first session out of three workshops that will show you how to stay safe online, covering multiple topics including the safe use of public wi-fi networks, cookies, anti-virus software, Virtual Private Networks, password managers, secure phone apps, and recognising scams and phishing (attempts to steal or extract personal information). No technical knowledge is required beyond being able to use a keyboard and a browser.
The sessions part of this Professional Development series include:
- How to stay safe and secure online | Wednesday 26 February
- How to work online without being tracked or monitored | Wednesday 23 April
- How to research online safely and step outside the Google universe | Wednesday 7 May
There will be opportunities to share experiences and ask questions in each session – no matter how basic!
#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members
As of Feb 2025, #SoAatHome professional development sessions will continue to be free as a member benefit. However, for non-members, the price is £35 including VAT.
Not a member, sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20 per cent off for the first year of membership – use code SOAATHOME20.
Accordion Content
Access 20% off your first year of membership of the SoA with discount code SOAATHOME20
The Society of Authors is the UK’s biggest trade union for authors – representing more than 12,000 writers, illustrators, translators and other creative practitioners.
Our standard subscription rate is just £32.50 per quarter (£22.75 for students).
As an SoA member, you’ll get:
- Access to all our #SoAatHome events for free including the Professional Development sessions usually charged at £35 from Feb 2025
- Access to all our Feel Good Friday and Industry Insider events which are usually charged £5 from Feb 2025
- Access all #SoAatHome Vimeo professional development recordings so you can catch up in your own time
- Access Unlimited one-to-one professional advice
- Membership of our online and real-world professional networks and special interest groups
- A range of member-only discounts, including books, insurance and travel
- And much more
‘It was a surprisingly lovely way to meet fellow writers in a friendly, warm surrounding perfectly hosted by the SoA staff. Thank you for all the introductions, the welcome and the nourishment!’ – attendee from SoA in Person: Autumn New Members’ Party 2024
JOIN NOW | PRICING
Programme
- Welcome, introductions and housekeeping from Simon Cann (3 mins)
- Presentation by Adam LeBor (60 mins)
- Comfort break (5 mins)
- Q&A with audience (20 mins)
- Summary and closing comments (2 mins)
- This event will be moderated by Lilly Brend-Fish, SoA
Who is this session for?
This session is for anyone who uses the internet for research or entertainment.
What will this session cover?
- Using anti-Virus software – comparing options and packages
- Using a password manager – advantages and drawbacks
- Keeping your social media safe and secure – recognising fake accounts
- Recognising scams and phishing attempts to steal your personal details and data
Send us your questions
If you would like to send questions in advance, email LBrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Safe and secure online’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.
#SoAatHome Fundraising Bookshop
Browse our virtual Bookshop.org store featuring books by authors and speakers taking part in the #SoAatHome. When you make a purchase using our affiliate links, a percentage will go to the Society of Authors’ Access Fund, giving authors support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats.
The Line-up
Adam LeBor
Adam LeBor is a veteran former foreign correspondent, author and editorial trainer. His clients include the Financial Times, Economist Education, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Mishcon de Reya. His most recent book is The Last Days of Budapest, the first non-fiction account of the Hungarian capital during the Second World War.
Website: www.adamlebor.com | X: @adamlebor | Instagram: @adamlebor
Simon Cann
Simon Cann is a crime novelist. He has also written a number of non-fiction books about music- and business-related topics. He is a member of the Finance Subcommittee and organiser of the Novelists in London group.
Website: simoncann.com | Bluesky: @simoncann.com | Instagram: @simoncannauthor
Need to know
Accessibility
- Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles
- If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org
Before the event
- Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
- If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk/spam email folder
- Please add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation and reminder emails
During the event
- This online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box
- This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen
- Attendees have the option to turn on the live transcript
- This event is 90 minutes
After the event
- Hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
- SoA Members and paid attendees of this event will be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel (password protected) or members can access via the SoA website.
Booking
Book your place by using the registration below.
SoA Members – Free
Non-Members – £35
Accordion Content
Access 20% off your first year of membership of the SoA with discount code SOAATHOME20
The Society of Authors is the UK’s biggest trade union for authors – representing more than 12,000 writers, illustrators, translators and other creative practitioners.
Our standard subscription rate is just £32.50 per quarter (£22.75 for students).
As an SoA member, you’ll get:
- Access to all our #SoAatHome events for free including the Professional Development sessions usually charged at £35 from Feb 2025
- Access to all our Feel Good Friday and Industry Insider events which are usually charged £5 from Feb 2025
- Access all #SoAatHome Vimeo professional development recordings so you can catch up in your own time
- Access Unlimited one-to-one professional advice
- Membership of our online and real-world professional networks and special interest groups
- A range of member-only discounts, including books, insurance and travel
- And much more
‘It was a surprisingly lovely way to meet fellow writers in a friendly, warm surrounding perfectly hosted by the SoA staff. Thank you for all the introductions, the welcome and the nourishment!’ – attendee from SoA in Person: Autumn New Members’ Party 2024
JOIN NOW | PRICING
Accordion Content
Giving authors support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats
Every contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events.
If you are in a position to help, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues, please click here to see if we can help.
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