The first of three guides designed to help everyday Australians understand the basics of cyber security, learn how you can take action to protect yourself from common cyber threats.
Introduction
What is personal cyber security?
In an increasingly tech-driven world we use devices and accounts every day that are vulnerable to cyber threats.
- Your devices may include computers, mobile phones, tablets and other internet connected devices.
- You also may use online accounts for email, banking, shopping, social media, gaming and more.
Personal cyber security is the continuing steps you can take to protect your accounts and devices from cyber threats.
What are cyber threats?
The main cyber threats affecting everyday Australians are scams and malware.
- Malware is a blanket term used to describe malicious software designed to cause harm. This can include viruses, worms, spyware, trojans and ransomware.
Cybercriminals use malware to steal your information and money, and control your devices and accounts.
- Scams are messages sent by cybercriminals designed to manipulate you into giving up sensitive information, or to activate malware on your device.
These attacks can have significant personal and financial impact on victims. They are also growing in sophistication and frequency.
Read more about the different types of threats affecting Australians.
How can this guide help protect me from cyber threats?
If you are learning about cyber security for the first time, or are keeping yourself up to date, this guide is an excellent place to start. The Personal Cyber Security: First Steps guide is the first in a series of three guides designed to help you understand the basics of cyber security.
How can this guide help protect me from cyber threats?
The Personal Cyber Security: First Steps guide is the first in a series of three guides designed to help everyday Australians understand the basics of cyber security and how you can take action to protect yourself from common cyber threats.
If you are learning about cyber security for the first time, or are keeping yourself up to date, this guide is an excellent place to start.
Turn on automatic updates
What are updates?
An update is an improved version of software (programs, apps and operating systems) you have installed on your computer and mobile devices.
- Software updates help protect your devices by fixing software ‘bugs’ (coding errors or vulnerabilities). Cybercriminals and malware can use these ‘bugs’ to access your device and steal your personal data, accounts, financial information and identity.
- New software ‘bugs’ are constantly being found and exploited by cybercriminals. Updating the software on your devices helps protect you from cyber-attacks.
How do I set up automatic updates?
Automatic updates are a default or ‘set and forget’ setting that installs new updates as soon as they are available.
- Turn on and confirm automatic updates on all software and devices.
- How you turn on automatic updates can differ depending on the software and the device.
- Set a convenient time for automatic updates if possible, such as when you’re asleep or not typically using your device.
Your device must be powered on, plugged into power and have unused storage space.
Tip: If you receive a prompt to update your device’s software you should do so as soon as possible.
More detailed information on how to turn on automatic updates can be found in our updates guide.
What if the automatic update setting is unavailable?
If the automatic update setting is unavailable, you should regularly check for and install new updates through your software or device's settings menu.
What if my older device and software do not receive any updates?
If your device, operating system or software is too old, it may no longer be supported by the manufacturer or developer.
When products reach this ‘end of support’ stage they will no longer receive updates. This can leave you vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Examples of products that are end of support include Windows 7 operating system and the iPhone 6.
If your device, operating system or software has reached end of support, we recommend upgrading as soon as possible to stay secure.
For more information you can read our Quick Wins for End of Support guide.
Activate multi-factor authentication (MFA)
What is MFA?
You can use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to improve the security of your most important accounts. MFA requires you to produce a combination of two or more authentication types before granting access to an account.
- Something you know (e.g. a PIN, password or passphrase)
- Something you have (e.g. a smartcard, physical token, authenticator app, SMS or email)
- Something you are (e.g. a fingerprint, facial recognition or iris scan)
MFA makes it harder for cybercriminals to gain initial access to your account. It adds more authentication layers, requiring extra time, effort and resources to break.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the most common type of MFA, requiring two different authentication types.
How can I activate MFA to protect my most important accounts?
The steps for activating MFA are different depending on the account, device or software application. You should activate MFA now, starting with your important accounts:
- All online banking and financial accounts (e.g. your bank, PayPal)
- All email accounts (e.g. Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail, Yahoo!)
If you have a lot of email accounts, prioritise those that are linked to your online banking or other important services.
You can read more on how to turn on multi-factor authentication on our MFA page.
Regularly back up your devices
What is a backup?
A backup is a digital copy of your information. This can include things like photos, financial information or records that you have saved to an external storage device, or to the cloud.
Backing up your information is a precautionary measure so that it can be recovered if it is ever lost, stolen or damaged.
How do I back up my devices and files?
You should regularly back up your files and devices. What that looks like, whether it is daily, weekly or monthly, is ultimately up to you. How many times you backup could depend on the number of:
- New files you load onto your device
- Changes you make to files
Tip: Check your backups regularly so that you are familiar with the recovery process. Always make sure your backups are working properly.
For more detailed information on backing up to both external storage devices and the cloud you can read our regular backups guide. These cover back-up guides for PC, Mac and iOS.
Use passphrases to secure your important accounts
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective ways to protect your accounts from cybercriminals. If MFA is not available, a unique strong passphrase can better protect your account compared to a simple password.
What is a passphrase?
A passphrase uses four or more random words as your password. For example: ‘crystal onion clay pretzel’.
- Passphrases are more secure than simple passwords
- Passphrases are hard for cybercriminals to crack, but easy for you to remember
How can I create a passphrase?
Create passphrases that are:
- Long: at least 14 characters long, using four or more random words. The longer your passphrase the more secure it is.
- Unpredictable: use a random mix of four or more unrelated words. No famous phrases, quotes or lyrics.
- Unique: not re-used across multiple accounts.
If a website or service requires a complex password including symbols, capital letters, or numbers, you can include these in your passphrase. Your passphrase should still be long, unpredictable and unique for the best security.
Which accounts should I secure with a passphrase?
If your most important accounts are not protected with MFA, change your passwords to unique strong passphrases, starting with:
- Online banking and financial accounts
- Email accounts
If you have a lot of email accounts, prioritise those that are linked to your online banking or other important services. You can typically change your password to a unique strong passphrase through your account settings menu.
Tip: Always remember to never reuse a passphrase across multiple accounts.
You can read more on how to create secure passwords, including passphrases, on our passphrases page.
Secure your mobile device
Today smartphones and tablets are used in everyday life. We use them to connect, shop, work, bank, track our fitness and complete hundreds of tasks at any time, and from any location.
What can happen if my mobile device is compromised, lost or stolen?
- It may be used by cybercriminals to steal your money or identity. They do this by using information stored on your device, including social media and email accounts.
- You may lose irreplaceable data like photos, notes or messages (if it is not backed up).
- A cybercriminal may use your phone number to scam other people.
How do I secure my mobile device?
Device Security
- Lock your device with a passphrase, password, PIN or passcode. Make it difficult to guess – your date of birth and pattern locks are easy for anyone to guess. Use a passphrase for optimal security. You might also consider using facial recognition or a fingerprint to unlock your device.
- Ensure your device is set to automatically lock after a short time of inactivity.
- Don’t charge your device at a public charging station and avoid chargers from third parties.
Treat your phone like your wallet. Keep it safe and with you at all times.
Software and App Security
- Use your device’s automatic update feature to install new application and operating system updates as soon as they are available.
- Set the device to require a passphrase/ password before applications are installed. Parental controls can also be used for this purpose.
Check the privacy permissions carefully when installing new apps on your device, particularly for free apps. Only install apps from reputable vendors.
Data Security
- Enable the remote locking and wiping functions, if your device supports them.
- Ensure you thoroughly remove personal data from your device before selling or disposing of it.
Connectivity Security
- Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you are not using them.
- Ensure your device does not automatically connect to new Wi-Fi networks.
Read more on how to implement quick wins that can help protect your portable devices.
Develop your cyber secure thinking
Personal cyber security is not just about changing settings, it’s also about changing your thinking and behaviours.
Watch out for cyber scams
Cybercriminals are known to use email, messages, social media or phone calls to try and scam Australians. They might pretend to be an individual or organisation you think you know, or think you should trust. Their messages and calls attempt to trick you into performing specific actions, such as:
- Revealing bank account details, passwords, and credit card numbers
- Giving remote access to your computer
- Opening an attachment, which may contain malware
- Sending money or gift cards
Scam messages can be sent to thousands of people, or target one specific person.
How do I recognise scam messages?
It can be difficult to recognise scam messages. Cybercriminals often use certain methods to trick you. Their messages might include:
- Authority: is the message claiming to be from someone official, such as your bank?
- Urgency: are you told there is a problem, or that you have a limited time to respond or pay?
- Emotion: does the message make you panic, hopeful or curious?
- Scarcity: is the message offering something in short supply, or promising a good deal?
- Current events: is the message about a current news story or big event?
Review the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre's (ASD’s ACSC) guidance on how to Protect yourself from scams.
What should I do if I get a scam message?
If you receive a scam message or phone call, you should ignore, delete or report it to National Anti-Scam Centre - Scamwatch.
You can also contact ASD’s ACSC’s Cyber Security Hotline on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) if you are concerned about your cyber security.
If you’ve engaged with a scam and think your bank accounts, credit or debit cards may be at risk, contact your financial institution immediately. They may be able to close your account or stop a transaction.
What if I’m unsure if a message is a scam?
If you think a message or call might truly be from an organisation you trust (such as your bank) find a contact method you can trust. Search for the official website, phone their advertised phone number, or visit a physical store or branch.
Do not use the links or contact details in the message you have been sent or given over the phone as these could be fraudulent.
Tip: Think Before You Click
- Think before you click on links on emails, websites and SMS.
- Always be sceptical of attachments you receive.
- If your browser tells you a website is unsafe, close it immediately.
Remember: No IT person, government department or business will contact you and ask for your login details.
If you think you’re a victim of cybercrime you can report it through ReportCyber or call our Cyber Security Hotline on 1300 CYBER1(1300 292 371).
You can also keep up to date on the latest threats by signing up to ASD's ACSC’s free alert service. We will send you an alert when we identify a new cyber threat.
Stop and think before you share on social media
Cybercriminals can use information you have publicly posted on your social media account/s in their scams and cyber-attacks.
Remember information on the internet is permanent and you can never fully remove what has been posted.
How can I stop and think before posting?
- Think: How could a cybercriminal use this information to target me or my accounts?
- Think: Would I be comfortable showing this information or image to a complete stranger offline?
What information should I avoid sharing?
Avoid sharing information (including photos) online that cybercriminals can use to identify you, manipulate you through a scam or guess your account recovery questions. This may include your:
- Birthplace and date of birth
- Address and phone number
- Employer and work history
- Where you went to school
- Any other personal information that can be used to target you
If you think you’re a victim of cybercrime, you can report it through ReportCyber or call our Cyber Security Hotline on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).
You can also keep up to date on the latest threats by signing up to ASD’s ACSC's free alert service. We will send you an alert when we identify a new cyber threat.
If you would like to understand some of the terms used within this personal security guide better you can view our glossary on the website.
Next guide in the Personal Cyber Security Series
Now that you have completed the ASD’s ACSC's Personal Cyber Security: First Steps Guide you should begin the Personal Cyber Security: Next steps Guide.
The Personal Cyber Security: Next Steps guide outlines the actions you can take to further increase your cyber security.