Just in time for Safer Internet Month: Cybercrime Helpline now with chat function

Advice in the live chat at wien.gv.at/cybercrime-helpline or by phone on 01 4000 4006 – Wide range of city services for online security

Vienna (OTS) – Just in time for Safer Internet Action Month the City of Vienna is expanding its support in the fight against Internet crime. The Cybercrime Helpline, which was set up for the first time last autumn, is now being expanded to include a chat function. In addition to telephone contact, you can now also chat live with employees on the city’s website in order to use the initial consultation directly online.

“We are aware of the dangers lurking on the Internet and are therefore constantly expanding our range of support. With the new chat function, we are now expanding the service of the cybercrime helpline and offering quick and uncomplicated help,” says City Councilor for Digitization Ulli Sima, emphasizing: “Anyone who needs help in Vienna will get it – even in the digital world!”.

Persons who suspect that they have become a victim of Internet crime can now also receive free initial advice via chat, as well as useful recommendations for action and further information from trained employees of the City of Vienna. The helpline can still be reached by telephone on 01 4000 – 4006.

“Those affected by cybercrime need one thing above all: uncomplicated and quick help to contain any consequential damage,” says municipal councilor Jörg Neumayer, initiator of the Cybercrime Helpline, who emphasizes: “That’s exactly what the helpline already offers by telephone and now also via chat, which is particularly easy to access function on.”

The Cybercrime Helpline is implemented by the city service of the City of Vienna. The call center employees provide initial assistance as a point of contact. Due to the complexity of the topic, no more in-depth advice or remote technical or (criminal) legal diagnoses are offered. If necessary, the Cybercrime Helpline will refer you to one of the more advanced advice centers located in Vienna.

Many city services for more security in the network

In addition to the Cybercrime Helpline, the City of Vienna offers other concrete support and services related to the topic of digital security. For example, women affected by cyber violence have been supported by the Competence Center against Cyber Violence since 2020. A structural cooperation with the 24-hour women’s emergency hotline (01/71719), which is also operated by the City of Vienna, and the clients of the Vienna Women’s Shelters Association (advice center: 5123839) was anchored.

“The City of Vienna is there for those affected with the Competence Center against Cyber Violence. The IT security specialists of the City of Vienna work closely with the 24-hour women’s emergency hotline and the Vienna women’s shelters. The important thing is that the City of Vienna will help quickly and unbureaucratically. Cyber violence has no place in our city,” said Deputy Mayor and Women’s City Councilor Kathrin Gaál.

Cross-job collaboration

Cases in which the advisors of the 24-hour women’s emergency hotline have so far sought the support of WienCERT experts include suspected unauthorized access to smartphones, the need to restore photo evidence on a smartphone or comprehensive security tips on how technical devices can be protected. The IT experts provided support with security planning, preservation of evidence and other specific technical issues.

“By bundling the skills of women’s counseling centers and IT experts in the City of Vienna, the help and support for those affected will be significantly improved,” says Sandra Heissenberger, Chief Information Security Officer of the City of Vienna.

Safer Internet Month

Safer Internet Day takes place in February every year. The day of action celebrated its 20th anniversary on February 7th, 2023. Around this occasion, February becomes a month of action in which schools, organizations, companies and private individuals throughout Austria develop projects and activities for the responsible use of digital media.