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News

Budd:e

With the new school year upon us, it’s a great time for kids, teachers and families to learn about the simple steps we can take to stay safe and secure online

Secure your internet connection

Your internet connection is a channel from the outside world into your computer.  If it isn’t secured properly you are vulnerable to someone using it to get to your information or to hijack your connection or computer for their own purposes.

The convenience of having an internet connection that is ‘always on’ or having wireless access to the internet from more than one computer in your home comes with added security risks.

The likelihood that your computer will be targeted by attackers or viruses scanning the network for available or susceptible computers becomes much higher if your computer is always connected.

Having an unsecured wireless network can allow anyone within range—your neighbours or anyone on the street—to access your network or use your internet connection. They could use up your download allowance (possibly resulting in excess usage fees), intercept and read your email or, more seriously, use your account to access illegal content or undertake criminal activities.

Top tips

  • Install a firewall on your computer and keep it permanently turned on. A firewall will monitor information going in and out of your computer and block unauthorised activity.
  • If you use a router make sure the firewall on this device is turned on. This provides an extra layer of protection before your computer is ever reached, similar to putting up a fence around your yard to keep people further away from your front door. Read more on firewalls.
  • Secure your wireless network. If you have a wireless network (WiFi) secure it so only you have access to it.  Read more information about securing your wireless network.
  • Turn off your computer or disconnect from the internet when not in use. A hacker cannot attack your computer if it is turned off or disconnected from the internet.

On this page

  • Secure your modem/router
  • Secure your wireless connection

Fact sheets and resources



video placeholder 4Wireless internet security – watch our video on wireless internet security. A text transcript is also available.

Secure your modem/router

If you use a modem/router:

  • change the default administrator (admin) password for the device
  • disable remote management
  • prevent unnecessary incoming connections
  • disable unneeded services

Read more on Securely configuring your broadband modem/router (PDF, 478KB)

Secure your wireless connection

Many of the latest computers come with the ability to connect to the internet and other nearby computers without the need for wires or cables, using a wireless connection. Instead of wires or fibre-optic cable, wireless technology uses radio waves and/or microwaves to transmit the data similar to a mobile phone or radio.

If you are using a wireless connection to connect to the internet, or between other computers in your home (i.e. a wireless network), make sure you can protect your connection.

Read more information about securing your wireless network.