Guide: Staying safe online

You are here: / / Guide: Staying safe online

This Guide was developed to provide appropriate, targeted and local information for women in the ACT about staying safe online. It includes information on how to protect your computer from viruses and unauthorised access, how to protect your privacy on social media web sites, where to get help if you don’t feel safe online, as well as some of the most common internet scams and how to recognise them.

It’s easy to learn how to protect yourself online. You can’t—and don’t need to—learn about every trick out there. You just need to take the right precautions.


WCHM’s Top 10 Tips for Staying Safe Online (Open)

  1. Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer.
  2. Turn on automatic updates on your system so that your computer automatically downloads security updates and fixes.
  3. Don’t open unsolicited or junk emails. Delete them straight away.
  4. If you receive a junk email and open it, don’t click on links or open any attachments contained in the email.
  5. Never share online passwords with anyone for any reason.
  6. If you purchase products online, only pay for items via a website’s secure payment system. Check that the payment webpage address begins with ‘https’ and there is a closed padlock symbol in the address bar.
  7. Check that any online shopping, auction and classifieds websites you use are reputable.
  8. Do not click on links in advertisements posted on social media. Use a search engine to search for a webpage and establish if the company is legitimate.
  9. Update the privacy settings on your social media accounts.
  10. Many internet-based scams start with a phone call, so do not respond to unsolicited phone calls asking for personal or financial information, even if they claim to be from a known organisation such as your phone or utility company. If you suspect the call is real, contact the business yourself through a known number to check.

  • TOP TEN TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE ONLINE

  • Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer .

  • Turn on automatic updates on your system so that your computer automatically downloads security updates and fixes.

  • Don’t open unsolicited or junk emails. Delete them straight away.

  • If you receive a junk email and open it, don’t click on links or open any attachments contained in the email.

  • Never share online passwords with anyone for any reason.

  • If you purchase products online, only pay for items via a website’s secure payment system. Check that the payment webpage address begins with ‘https’ and there is a closed padlock symbol in the address bar.

  • Check that any online shopping, auction and classifieds websites you use are reputable.

  • Do not click on links in advertisements posted on social media. Use a search engine to search for a webpage and establish if the company is legitimate.

  • Update the privacy settings on your social media accounts .

  • Many internet-based scams start with a phone call, so do not respond to unsolicited phone calls asking for personal or financial information, even if they claim to be from a known organisation such as your phone or utility company. If you suspect the call is real, contact the business yourself through a known number to check.

Privacy Settings, Social Media and Online Bullying

Abusive behaviour online can take many forms, including: Cyberstalking:…

Romance Scams

Internet dating is increasingly popular. Relationships that begin…

Identity theft and financial scams

Financial scams targeting older people are now being called ‘the…

Where to get help

If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam or identity theft,…

Viruses and Hacking

Our personal computers often contain a large amount of personal…

Useful links

ANZ – Types of Banking Fraud

http://www.anz.com/personal/ways-bank/security/online-security/threats-banking-safety/fraud-types/

Australian Cyber Security Centre – Information for individuals and families

https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/individuals-and-families

Australian Cyber Security Centre – Working to protect senior Australians

https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/news/working-protect-senior-australians

Australian Cyber Security Centre – Create strong passwords

https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/guidance/create-strong-passwords

Australian Tax Office (ATO)

https://www.ato.gov.au/general/online-services/identity-security/verify-or-report-a-scam/

Australia Post – Scam alerts

https://auspost.com.au/about-us/about-our-site/online-security-scams-fraud/scam-alerts

Broadband for Seniors

http://bfseniors.com.au/glossary/

CallerSmart (United States of America) – Cyberstalking: What is Cyberstalking and What to Do if You’re a Victim

https://www.callersmart.com/guides/50/Cyberstalking

CBS News – 5 Common Phone Scams Targeting Seniors

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/5-common-phone-scams-targeting-seniors/

Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria – Cyber Stalking and Harassment

http://www.dvrcv.org.au/help-advice/cyber-stalking-and-harassment

Lawstuff – Cyberbullying

http://www.lawstuff.org.au/act_law/topics/bullying/cyber-bullying

MailGuard – Another Online Banking Scam: MailGuard Shows You How To Identify A Phishing Email

http://www.mailguard.com.au/blog/

Microsoft – Turn automatic updating on or off

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/turn-automatic-updating-on-off#turn-automatic-updating-on-off=windows-7

Naked Security (Sophos) – SMS phishing scam pretends to be Apple “chatbot” – don’t fall for it!

https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2020/09/24/sms-phishing-scam-pretends-to-be-apple-chatbot-dont-fall-for-it/

NSW Department of Education – Controlling your privacy settings in social media

https://www.digiNSW talcitizenship.nsw.edu.au/articles/controlling-your-privacy-settings-in-social-media

Ripoff Report – Complaint Review: The International Award Payment Center

http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/The-International-Award-Payment-Center/N-Kansas-City-Missouri-64116/The-International-Award-Payment-Center-A-T-Lee-Program-Coordinator-Mail-lottery-Scam-ta-822077

ScamWatch (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)

http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/Scamwatch/

SplashData – “123456” Maintains the Top Spot on SplashData’s Annual “Worst Passwords” List

http://splashdata.com/press/worst-passwords-of-2014.htm

Telstra – Active scams

https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/broadband-nbn/active-scams/ta-p/791114

wikiHow – How to Avoid an Online Romance Scam

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-an-Online-Romance-Scam

wikiHow – How to Spot an Online Dating Scammer

http://www.wikihow.com/Spot-an-Online-Dating-Scammer

Supported by ACT Health Directorate

QUICK EXIT