Easy steps to secure your online information

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed an Easy Steps Guide to help Australians protect themselves from cyber criminals. Lottery and grant scams, identity theft, investment scams, hacking, phishing, dating and romance scams, online abuse and sextortion are just some of the threats people face. Our Easy Steps Guide shows how you can better protect yourself from these threats and secure your accounts and devices, by stepping you through a six-day plan. On completion of the Guide, you will have strengthened the security of your online accounts and your information.

1. Secure your email, social media and apps

Put strong security on important accounts where you exchange personal or sensitive information such as email, bank and social media accounts.

Online information - secure apples
  • Turn on two-factor authentication, such as a code sent to your mobile, for an extra layer of security.
  • Use strong passwords on your accounts. A strong password is a passphrase of at least 13 characters, made up of about four words that are meaningful for you but not easy for others to guess. For example, ‘horsecupstarshoe’.
  • Don’t use the same password on any of your accounts.
  • Consider using a reputable password manager.

Visit the Have I Been Pwned website to see if your email has been breached. If your email has been breached you need to change your password immediately. Make sure you haven’t used the breached password on any other accounts.

Check out Google’s Advanced Protection program for people at risk of targeted attacks.

2. Watch out for scam messages

Online scams and ‘phishing’ by email, SMS, social media posts and direct messaging are designed to steal your logins, credentials and personal details or to download malicious software onto your devices.

Check Scam Message Artwork
  • Check before you click links – hover over the link to see the actual web address.
  • Never enter your username or password from links in messages to your accounts – go to the official website or app.
  • If a message seems suspicious, contact the person/business through a separate, legitimate source to confirm it.

For more information about online scams, visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Stay Smart Online website

3. Secure your mobile and computer

Strong Passwords artwork
  • Always use a PIN or password on your mobile and computer.
  • Always do the software updates such as Microsoft, iOS and Android.
  • Make sure you download apps from official stores such as the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android.
  • Install security software on your devices to protect you from malicious software.
 

4. Check public Wi-Fi before connecting

Information shared through public Wi-Fi hotspots in cafés, airports, hotels and other public places can be intercepted.

Only connect to trusted networks (not trains)
  • Turn off automatic connection to public Wi-Fi on your devices.
  • Choose to connect to non-public Wi-Fi for a more secure connection.
  • Consider installing a reputable Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution on your device.
 

Checklist

Follow the checklist to protect yourself from scammers, cybercrime and identity theft.

checklist video

Help

Contact the Australian Cyber Security Centre by email  or call the 24/7 Hotline for urgent assistance on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371)

Report cybercrime to ReportCyber

Report scams to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au

Contact IDCARE if you’ve experienced identity theft at idcare.org

Visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Stay Smart Online website for advice for you and your family. Sign up for the free Stay Smart Online alert service on recent online threats.

This information was originally featured here.

Important:

This article was produced by Australian Cyber Security Centre.  This is a link to the original article.

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is based on information believed to be accurate and reliable at the time of publication. Any illustrations of past performance do not imply similar performance in the future. To the extent permissible by law, neither we nor any of our related entities, employees, or directors gives any representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information; or accepts any responsibility for any person acting, or refraining from acting, on the basis of information contained in this newsletter. This information is of a general nature only. It is not intended as personal advice or as an investment recommendation, and does not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation and needs of a particular investor. Before making an investment decision you should read the product disclosure statement of any financial product referred to in this newsletter and speak with your financial planner to assess whether the advice is appropriate to your particular investment objectives, financial situation and needs.