Top cyber security tips for individuals
Do you know how valuable you are? Identity thieves do!
Every year thousands of Australians have their identities stolen.
Criminals use stolen personal information to commit identity crimes. This can leave their victims with a bad credit rating and impact their ability to get a loan, run a business, or access government services.
Once your identity is stolen it can take a long time to recover. We, along with leading industry bodies, have created a list of top identity security tips to help keep you and your information safe.
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Cyber Security Stakeholder Group
We developed these tips in consultation with the Cyber Security Stakeholder Group (CSSG), a group comprising of the ATO, tax practitioner industry groups, government agencies and industry partners. The CSSG are working with us to combat the growing threat of identity theft and cybercrime.
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Make sure your passwords are strong and secure
Use multi-factor authentication where possible. Regularly change passwords, and do not share them.
Multi-factor authentication requires users to provide multiple pieces of information to authenticate themselves – for example, a text message sent to your phone when logging in to a website.
An additional layer of security on your accounts can make it harder for others to access your account.
Using strong passwords, with a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, also makes your accounts harder to hack.
Make sure all devices have the latest available security updates
Run weekly anti-virus and malware scans and have up-to-date security software.
Instances of malicious software (malware) are increasing. It can be easy to accidently click on an email or website link which can infect your computer.
In some instances, your device may be impacted by ransomware. Ransomware can:
- lock your computer until you pay a fee to criminals
- install software which provides access to your bank accounts, allowing criminals to steal your money.
Use a spam filter on your email account
Always use a spam filter on your email account and do not open unsolicited messages.
Be wary of downloading attachments or opening email links you receive, even if they are from someone you know.
Spam emails can be:
- embedded with malware
- used to trick you into providing information or buying non-legitimate goods.
Do not respond to or click on these emails. This can help you reduce the risk of your personal information being used fraudulently, or your computer being infected with malware.
Secure your wireless network, be careful using public wireless networks
Be vigilant when using public wireless networks. Avoid making online transactions while using public or complimentary wi-fi.
Not all wi-fi access points are secure. By making online transactions (such as online banking) on an unsecure network, you can put your information and money at risk.
Be vigilant about what you share on social media
Keep personal information private and be aware of who you are interacting with.
People are accustomed to sharing personal information on social media. However, before sharing ask yourself if it is information you want strangers to have access to.
It is very easy for information on social media sites to be shared outside of your network, even when your security settings are set to private.
Be sure you know who you are speaking to on social media, and only share information with people you know and trust.
Criminals can use certain combinations of your personal information to impersonate you to access money, apply for credit cards and bank loans, or commit crimes.
Treat your personal information like cash
Do not leave your personal information lying around. If your personal information is stolen, it is very difficult to get back.
Keep your personal information private. Only share it when you are required to, and only share it through authorised processes and to authorised people.
Monitor your accounts for unusual activity or transactions
Check your accounts (including bank accounts, digital portals and social media) for transactions or interactions you did not make, or content you did not post.
If an organisation you deal with sends you an email alerting you to unexpected changes on your account, do not:
- click on included hyperlinks
- open any attachments.
You should immediately:
- check your account
- contact the organisation by phone.
Make sure your mail is secure
Make sure your mail is secure and consider using a secure PO Box.
Mail theft is a leading cause of personal information security breaches.
Do not download programs or open attachments
Some programs contain malware that can infect your computer or be used to harvest your personal information.
Be sure you are downloading authorised and legitimate programs. Unless you know the program is legitimate, do not open attachments or download it.
Do not leave your information unattended
Secure your electronic devices wherever you are. Your personal information can be taken in an instant. In some situations, you won’t even know it was stolen.
Make sure you:
- do not leave electronic devices unattended
- secure your electronic devices with passcodes
- securely store portable storage devices (such as thumb and hard drives) when not in use.
See also:
Tips for individuals to keep your personal information safe from identity thieves and hackers.