Cyber Security Awareness Month

Four Quick Tips, to Protect Yourself this Cyber Security Awareness Month!

October is the month of Cyber Security Awareness Month. With the ever-increasing volume of cyberattacks and scams, it is more important than ever to increase your personal cyber security, in order to protect you and your family. By taking five minutes to implement these solutions, you will ensure that you remain cyber secure both now, and into the future. 

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication:

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the process of using several different methods of proving your identity, and that you are not a hacker. MFA can be achieved in several different ways. It can include: 

  • Something that you know (e.g. a password, credit card pin number) 
  • Something that you have (e.g. an SMS code sent to your phone or email, or a physical bank card) 
  • Something that you are (e.g. your fingerprint, your voice, and even your face, with facial recognition. 

      MFA involves combining two methods, such as using a password, in addition to an SMS sent to your phone, to log into your accounts.  

      Prioritise the important accounts that you use, such as your email, bank account, superannuation account, and government services (such as MyGov, and the Australian Tax Office).  

      While it can be annoying to enter an MFA code into every website you access, MFA is important, as it reduces an attacker’s ability to easily hack your accounts. An attacker needs multiple pieces of information (such as a password and SMS message), to be able to target you, rather than simply your password. 

      2. Take a moment to think twice, before clicking a link

      When was the last time that you clicked a link in an email, or text message? Links in emails can appear to be legitimate, but can actually be dangerous. The hackers may be trying to lead you to a well crafted, but fake version of a website. From there, hackers could steal your username and password, and any sensitive information that you enter into the website, such as credit card information. If an attacker has gained your username and password, they may be able to log in to your account in your name. However, if you have implemented MFA from point one (1), then this will make it more difficult for your account to be hacked. 

      Cyber Security Awareness Month

      3. Regularly update your devices, to protect against new attacks.

      1. The attackers are always evolving, and it is important that you regularly update the software on your computer and phone, to ensure that it can protect you against new attacks. Installing an update is normally straightforward and quite simple, consisting of clicking a few buttons. This will ensure that your device does not contain any simple security holes, which a hacker may target.  

      4. Use strong, and unique passwords

      1. Think about your password for a moment. Is it a short password? Does it have any numbers, special characters (! @ # $ % , etc.), upper case letters? It is best to have a long password, with a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, in addition to numbers and symbols. An example of a strong password, is: “October 1$ Cyber $ecuri7y Awareness Month!”. This will make it a lot more difficult for the hackers to target you in their attacks. 
      2. You should also try to use a unique password for each account. Again, prioritise the important accounts that you have, such as bank accounts, email accounts, and accounts for government websites.  
      Use strong and unique password

      By taking a moment to complete these tips this Cyber Security Awareness Month, you will ensure that your accounts are secure, and resistant against attack. This will reduce the likelihood that you will be hacked, and ensure that your information is secure.  

      Now, what are you waiting for? Let’s get to it, and implement these cyber security tips!  

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