Neston Cyber Centre 

📞 Contact us on 0151 336 7784 during session times or email - nestonccc@gmail.com

 THE 'TUESDAY' MORNING SESSION

At present we do not have an available Buddy for the Tuesday morning session - hopefully we'll get a Buddy for that session in the very near future and then we'll let you know via this website  (15.06.25)

COULD YOU BE A NESTON 'CYBER BUDDY'?

If you're comfortable using a mobile, tablet and/or computer and could spare a couple of hours a week then please click on the  'CAN YOU HELP?' tab above

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About 'Neston Cyber Centre'

Neston 'Community' Cyber Centre has been operating in Neston Methodist Church and Community Centre since 2001. Started with government funding, the centre has been supported over the years by Neston Town Council, West Cheshire College, Project Rural Matters, Local Housing Associations, The Fair Shares Trust and currently Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The centre is staffed by volunteer Cyber Buddies, who help computer members with a range of tasks and problems. For example, we can help you with 'IT' problems or give advice about using Desktop PCs and Laptops, Android tablets and smartphones, iPhones, and iPads etc.

We have 6 networked PCs all with solid state drives and FAST Broadband/Wi-Fi, currently running Microsoft Windows 11. The networked PCs run a range of software, including Microsoft Office.

We also have a dedicated Linux PC.

We have two 'state of the art' printers - an HP PageWide Pro (bought with help from Neston Town Council) and an Epson Colour Printer that can use paper up to size A3.

The Cyber Centre also provides free wireless internet to registered members, so that members with their own laptop or tablet can come in to seek help with using them, or just to connect to the internet.

Cyber Buddies, each with their own various skills, are on hand at every session, and can help you with a whole range of tasks like -

• Job applications and CVs
• Booking flights and holidays (you book at your 'own risk')
• Setting up email accounts
• Government or local council websites (for example renewing your driving licence online), researching your family history using a variety of websites including Ancestry.co.uk and Findmypast.co.uk
• Downloading and editing your digital photographs
• Advice on problems with your own Laptops or PCs (Windows or Apple)
• Using Tablet computers (Apple or Android) - if you have a new Tablet and would like to know more about what it can do, make an appointment with one of our Buddies who deal with Tablets .

Becoming a Member of Neston Cyber Centre - Registration is completely free to residents of Neston, Little Neston, Ness, Parkgate, Willaston, Burton and Puddington (all we ask is for members to make a small voluntary donation towards our costs if they find the service useful). There is a simple form to complete recording name, address, date of birth and ethnicity and this information is shared with Cheshire West Adult Learning Services who give us a grant for helping anyone who wants to start using technology and the internet.

Cyber Centre members must be over the age of 18. Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult member. Members from outside the CH64 area are also welcome, and we do ask them to make a voluntary donation towards our running costs.

To contact us just call in at the Neston Community Cyber Centre, situated in the Neston Methodist Church and Community Centre, 5 Park Street, Neston CH64 3RB (opposite the Brewers Arms), or phone us on 0151 336 7784 during session times only - you could also email us at nestonccc@gmail.com

See "ARTICLES" tab above for articles on - "Browsers & Search Engines, Not The Same Thing!" & "Tips on Creating Strong Passwords"

(Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy)   

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What Is a VPN?

Take a look at this informative article on "VPNs" - just click the 'ARTICLES' tab above (from Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy  23.10.21)

"What is Malware?"

Here's a very interesting article from 'Malwarebytes' - just click the 'ARTICLES' tab above to find out more  (Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy 20.09.22)

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Shutdown vs Restart in Windows 10/11 - They Do Different Things   Here's an article well worth reading, just click the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above to learn more (from Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy 13.04.22)

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Going on holiday this summer....

Here's some really good advice from 'Neighbourhood Alert' to help ensure you keep your home safe and protect yourself from becoming a victim of burglary whilst you are away - see the article by clicking the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above 

(Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy 26.07.23)

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Don't plug your phone into a free charging station, warns FBI

We have upgraded 6 of our computers in the Cyber Centre with Portus Digital 'All In One' PCs - they are now running Windows 11 .  Click on the 'ARTICLES' tab above to learn more of their specifications.

Also, a huge 'vote of thanks' to Neston Town Council for the £2,500 grant we received from them enabling us to purchase the new PCs

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"WhatsApp" warning!

Warning message received from "Neighbourhood Alert" - criminals are targeting WhatsApp users by posing as a friend and asking for a security code. Action Fraud has received over 60 reports relating to this scam.  

Here's some great advice from 'Neighbourhood Alert' - click the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above to find out more (Allen Roochove Techno Buddy 27.03.23)

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"Latest News"

"LINUX" UPDATE

We now have a new 'Linux dedicated' PC available for members to use in the Cyber Centre - it's a Lenovo IdeaCentre 3 Desktop PC (Intel Core i3-12100, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11 Home) running "Linux Mint". Interested 'Linux' users, if you need help or support just pop in and chat to the 'Buddy on duty' on either Monday morning, Wednesday morning or Thursday morning - see the 'BUDDIES' tab above for more information (02.09.25)  

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Ellesmere Port & Neston Police NeighbourhoodCrime update - 4th to 31st August 2025 - to find out more click the 'NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH' tab above.

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Action Fraud is urging people to look out for rogue 'QR' codes, after 784 reports of 'quishing' were made to Action Fraud between April 2024 and April 2025, with almost £3.5 million lost - to find out more just click on the NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH tab above (21.06.25)

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Crime Prevention  'Cycle Crime'

Do you own a bike or are you thinking of buying one? Here's very helpful advice from Neighbourhood Alert - just click the 'NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH' tab above (09.05.25)

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Buying Tickets Safely Online

This month, 'Get Safe Online' is providing expert advice on buying tickets safely online - to find out more click the 'NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH' tab above  (07.04,25)

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"Doorstep Crime"

                    How to prevent becoming a victim.                      Great advice on "cold-calling" - to find out more lick the 'NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH' tab above  (03.03.25)

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Protect yourself from Holiday fraud: don't let fraudsters trip you up this summer. 

Received 24th February 2025 (to find out more click the 'NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH' tab above)

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Vehicle Crime - how to prevent it. 

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Ellesmere Port & Neston Police Neighbourhood Crime update -                 9 to 22 December 2024 (to find out more click the 'NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH' tab above)

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Security Changes Coming to WhatsApp 

If you're a WhatsApp user then you might find this short article from one of our Cyber Centre Buddies, Chris Wood, well worth reading

(Click the 'NEWS' tab above to find out more -  25.10.24)

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We are now offering help to the Neston and Willaston Primary Care Network (PCN)

just click the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above to find out more - 09.09.24

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BEWARE - Fake "QR" codes

Here's a very timely article from Lesley Elliott, one of our Cyber Centre Buddies, about the dangers of Fake 'QR' codes 

(Click on the 'NEWS' tab above to find out more - 31.07.24)

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We're pleased to be able to let our members know that all PCs, apart from the Linux PC,  are now running Windows 11   (21.06.24)

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'WhatsApp' group chat members are being warned they could be targeted by criminals, as 'Action Fraud' reveals it has received 636 reports from victims of the messaging app this year.  

Click the 'NEWS' tab above to find out more (Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy 10.05.24)

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£6.7 million lost to Ticket Fraud in 2023

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has launched a ticket fraud awareness campaign.

Click on the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above to find out more (Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy 16.04.24)

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How to Avoid a Scam

Very sensible advice from 'Experian' on helping to protect yourself from the threat of SCAMS.  

Click the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above to find out more (Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy 26.03.24)

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Do you stop to check who's really contacting you?

Here's some very timely and helpful advice from 'Neighbourhood Alert' - just click the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above (Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy 28.02.24)

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'AI' used to fake voices of loved ones in "I've been in an accident" scam 

Here's an interesting and timely article from "Malwarebytes", well worth reading. Just click the 'ARTICLES' tab above - (Allen Roochove NCC Techno Buddy 22.01.24)

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Scammers love the Holiday Shopping season

It's the perfect time for them to lure people in with fake deals and trick their victims into paying for items that are counterfeit or don't exist. Here's some very timely and helpful advice from Barclays Bank, just click the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above (Allen Roochove, NCC Techno Buddy 13.11.23)

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Should you allow your browser to remember your passwords?

Here's an interesting article from "Malwarebytes", well worth reading. Just click the 'ARTICLES' tab above -  (Allen Roochove NCC Techno Buddy 06.11.23)

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Criminals will try to trick and scam you

Here's an interesting article from Santander - well worth reading. Just click the 'HELPFUL ADVICE' tab above (Allen Roochove NCC Techno Buddy 20.09.23)

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The devices in our homes are getting smarter all the time. How smart are you about keeping yours protected?

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