Cyber Security – Practical Ways
The recent cyber-attacks on Optus and then Medibank have been good reminders to be vigilant when it comes to the security of your personal information. The Australian Government has established the Australian Cyber Security Centre, which includes some tips on how to keep your data safe online.
Some of these are listed below:
- Update devices and apps – updates often include security improvements for your device and apps. You can even set your device to auto update, so you do not have to think about it!
- Passwords – use complex passwords with random words or phrases.
- Do not use any personal information for passwords i.e. your name or birthday
- Try and use phrases or longer words where possible
- Each account should have its own password
- Include a mixture of numbers, symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication so that you have a secondary approval method for signing into accounts/devices
- Spot the scam – cyber scammers are great at imitating organisations you know and will often send emails or texts with links and attachments for you to open. These links will often collect your personal information and give scammers access to your data.
- Don’t click the link, if you are unsure, go back to a previous document from the trusted source and compare legitimacy. If the sender is unknown, don’t click the link or provide any personal information.
- Many organisations will state on their websites that they will never send you a link and ask for your password.
For more information on practical ways to protect yourself online, check out the Australian Cyber Security Centre website.
The additional handy hints below can also be found from: Kat Baxter’s Facebook article published on 26th of October.
- Do not provide personal information, credit card details or answer questions from organisations you do not trust or know. Always check the domain name and address in your browser constantly and make sure you are where you think you are.
- Ask if you are unsure – everyone is vulnerable to scam attacks or dodgy companies.
- If it is too good to be true, it probably is – you likely haven’t won the competition you didn’t enter and that thing you wanted likely isn’t that cheap.
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