Protect yourself online

The Australian Government’s publication, Protecting yourself online: what everyone needs to know, contains important information on how to stay safe online.

It combines cyber security information from different government agencies and departments in the one publication, making it easy for you to access information on how to stay secure when using the internet.

Top Tips

Whether you are new to using the internet or a regular user – here are six simple tips you can take to help protect yourself online

  1. install security software and update it regularly
  2. turn on automatic updates so all your software receives the latest fixes
  3. set a strong password and change it at least twice a year
  4. stop and think before you click on links or attachments
  5. stop and think before you share any personal or financial information – about you, your friends or family
  6. know what your children are doing online – make sure they know how to stay safe and encourage them to report anything suspicious.

What these tips show is that protecting yourself online is about more than just how you set up and use your computer or mobile phone. It’s also about being smart in what you do and the choices you make while using the internet.

There are criminals who use the anonymity of the internet to run old and new scams. Many of these are scams that most people would spot a mile away if they were attempted in ‘real life’.

So it’s important to remember that while the technology may be new, the old wisdom still applies. If something you see online seems suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information on how to stay safe online, see the following websites:

Cyber security

  • www.staysmartonline.gov.au – for individuals and small business
  • www.cert.gov.au – for large companies
  • copies of the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Strategy are available at www.ag.gov.au/cybersecurity

Cyber safety

Identity security

Offensive content

Online shopping

Privacy

Scams and fraud

Spam

  • www.acma.gov.au/spam
  • phone the spam hotline on 1300 855 180
  • spam SMS can be reported to 0429 999 888