Video Transcript
Did you know some simple tips can help you stay safer online?
Here are our 5 tips to help you get started this Get Online Week
Passwords are stronger when they are difficult to guess
Never tell anyone your passwords or pin numbers
Limit how much personal info you share on social media
Don’t click on unexpected links in text messages or emails
If you are a Telstra customer, you can check if a message from them is real in the My Telstra app.
If something sounds too good to be true it probably is. It may be a scam.
Learn more good things this Get Online Week: www.getonlineweek.com/aus
Get Online Week is a campaign by Good Things Foundation Australia
Everyone wants to stay safe online. Following these important simple tips to increase your online safety.
Good Things Foundation Australia and Telstra have collaborated to share their top tips to help you stay safer online, protect your privacy and avoid scams.
Passwords
Avoid using words that people can link to you such as family or pet names. Instead create a stronger, hard to guess password. You could try combining three random words that create a memorable mental picture for you, with numbers and symbols to create a password like: 20bananagreensky23! Never tell people or companies your password.
Top tip: Don’t use the same password for everything. If it gets stolen by criminals, having different passwords on all your accounts will limit how much access they have.
Some companies ask you to use additional security measures like a PIN, a one-time code sent to your mobile phone, or fingerprint scanning when you log in. Two-factor authentication is where you need to confirm that it’s really you in two different ways to access the account. It’s a good idea to set up these extra security measures whenever available.
Top tip: Password Managers are apps that help remember and create stronger passwords for you. They can help you manage different passwords for every account.
Social media
Privacy settings on social media help you to choose who can see what you share. Limit the visibility of your posts to only people you know, like friends, family and colleagues.
Avoid sharing personal details on social media such as your home address, phone number, birthday, location or email address. This can help to protect your data, money and identity from being stolen.
Viruses and security updates
Computer viruses can attack your device and cause damage, deny access or steal information. Viruses are often sent by email and SMS as links or attachments. Only click on links or attachments you are expecting from people you know or on official websites. Always use antivirus software.
Top tip: Think before you click. If you are unsure, delete the email or SMS and don’t click.
Keep your device’s software and apps up to date to improve the security of your device.
Scams
Always be wary of scams when online. Be careful of unexpected calls or messages, even if it looks like it is from a legitimate company. If you are contacted over the phone and you are unsure or feel pressured to take action quickly, simply hang up.
Do not trust any link, website address (URL), email, or phone number provided in a message. Instead, contact the company directly through their official website, app or phone number to check if a message can be trusted.
Top tip: Visit scamwatch.gov.au for useful information on how to recognise and stay safe from scams.
If something looks suspicious or sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Top tip: If you are a Telstra customer, you can check if an email or text message really came from them in the My Telstra app notification centre.
Video calls and telehealth
When video calling or using telehealth, be mindful of your privacy. Think about what and who is around you. Use headphones and move somewhere private to help keep your conversation to yourself.
Keep learning
The Be Connected and Good Things Learning websites have free tips on how to use your device and the internet safely. Visit beconnected.esafety.gov.au and Learn digital skills to get started.
Our thanks to our Get Online Week 2023 Principal Supporting Partner Telstra for their collaboration on these tips. Learn more: www.telstra.com.au