Portal security

Your role in securing your information

Technology and computers cannot safeguard information automatically. You need to protect your own information related to using this service.

Never disclose your digital certificate password to anyone. Tax Office staff do not need to ask you for your password. Always log off correctly by selecting ‘Logout’ at the top of the screen.

Your digital certificate and password are the keys to accessing the portal. Do not write down or disclose your password to anyone, including the Tax Office. Notify your certificate authority as soon as you suspect your certificate or password has been compromised.

Do not import your certificate to general use computers. Access the portal only from computers:

• to which you have exclusive use, or
• that you share under the following conditions:
• computer is configured for multiple users
• each person has a unique account, or
• other users are individuals you can trust.

Maintain control over the details you access from this portal if you save or print them after electronically accessing them.

We strongly recommend that you:

• keep your computer software up-to-date, especially with security upgrades and patches. These are usually available from the licenser of the software
• ensure that your anti-virus software is current and running on your computer at all times. Scan new programs/files for viruses before opening, running, installing or using them
• ensure that you have anti intrusion software – commonly referred to as a ‘firewall’ – to provide added security around your information and protection from misuse of your identify
• avoid opening, running, installing or using programs/files you have obtained from a person or organisation unless you are positive that you can trust them
• select ‘Logout’ when you are finished using this portal. You should also logout if you leave your computer unattended – to avoid others accessing your account, and
• conduct secure disposal practices such as cleansing of the hard disk on disposal of your computer.

Please review this ‘Portal security’ information regularly. The Tax Office will update it from time to time as we become aware of issues and relevant information which will help you maintain the highest levels of security.