When you’re on the Internet, use the same common sense you would use when going about your personal and business dealings with people and companies in the real world.

There are some sensible habits you can get into that will reduce the possibility that:

  • Your personal details will be stolen and used to gain access to your bank accounts;
  • Your computer will be infected by a virus or spyware;
  • You will lose time and money fixing the damage done by someone exploiting a gap in your Internet security; and
  • Your good reputation and legal standing will be affected by someone exploiting a gap in your Internet security.

Good habits need to start somewhere, so you might like to print this page and have it beside your computer. Refer to it regularly when you are online to make sure you are developing each of the habits. This website provides more information on all of these habits. If you want to read about any of them, follow the links provided and read through the information in this website.

What you can do to Stay Smart Online

Whenever you go online

  1. Ensure that the anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall protection on your computer are all turned on and are up-to-date
  2. Ensure your Internet browser has the best security level set for your purposes
  3. Change your passwords at least every month
  4. Use a spam-filter to reduce unwanted and potentially harmful emails
  5. Never open emails from unknown sources and never opening attachments
  6. Watch out for and delete hoax emails or phishing that seem to be from your bank
  7. Think before you click
  8. Be wary of a website or email if the owner and contact details are unclear or are dubious, or if they make generous offers that seem too good to be true
  9. Don't buy from websites that you feel unsure about
  10. Only type your credit card details into websites that you are certain about, where the address of the page in which you are entering your details starts with https:// and displays the locked padlock symbol in the bottom right-hand corner
  11. Always close down your connection to the Internet when finished. This is really important if you are connecting to the Internet via broadband.