- Published:
- Thursday 14 November 2024 at 1:55 pm
- Published by:
- Department of Government Services
The Department of Government Services is helping Victorians stay safe online.
Our cyber team has put together these top 5 tips to protect you when using online services and social media:
1. Create strong passwords
Try creating ‘passphrases’ (passwords made of four or more random words) for each of your accounts. They’re tough for cybercriminals to crack but easy for you to remember.
2. Turn on multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires you to prove in 2 or more ways that you’re the real owner of an online account.
Turn on multi-factor authentication for your most important accounts, such as your email and online banking.
3. Protect yourself from online scams
Scammers try to convince you to give away your money or personal information. They'll try to reach out to you via text messages, phone calls, emails or social media.
Look out for:
- Pressure to act quickly
- Unusual payment methods
- Strange links or attachments
- Someone you know behaving in an odd way
4. Keep up with software updates
Software updates fix weaknesses before hackers can use them to gain access to your device or data.
Keep software on your devices up to date and turn on automatic updates, usually located in your settings.
5. Visit Stay safe online
Our cyber team has more practical cyber safety tips, including a password checker and a place to report cyber crime, visit Stay safe online(opens in a new window).
Find out how cyber safe you are with Service Victoria's cyber safety check.
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