How to safeguard against data leaks and scams

Do you go online to stay in touch with family, or do you shop or bank online? Any one of these actions may place you at increased risk of having your data misused. Fortunately, there are things all older Australians can do to make themselves safer online.

There is much to love about the internet. It allows you to stay in touch with friends and family, helps you learn more about subjects you're interested in, and can amuse, entertain, and inspire you in a number of ways.

However, it also has a darker side that attracts people with ill intent, many of whom spend their days devising ways to exploit the information they gather about you.

As someone who did not grow up in the digital age, it’s natural to feel frightened when you are advised that your bank, your supermarket or a brand you regularly use has experienced a customer data breach and that your personal data may have been compromised.

While there’s not much you can do about hackers or the security practices of others, there are some simple safeguards you can put in place. These can help lessen the threat of having your name, email address, phone number or birthdate exposed without your permission.

Update your device

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is a federal agency set up to help make sure everyone is secure when they’re online. It offers free advice for older Australians on how to use the internet safely and learn new ways to stay secure. Visit the ACSC website.

The ACSC says one of the simplest ways to keep hackers at bay is to ensure the software on your tablet, computer and phone is regularly updated. You can either learn to do it yourself or enlist a trusted family member to help. ACSC likens it to getting your car serviced—updates improve your device’s performance and make it more secure.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Having more than one step in place to prove you are who you say you are works like putting a padlock on a fridge—an extra barrier that keeps things safe.

With multi-factor authentication, you may need to enter your password plus a code sent to your mobile or email to log in to a social media profile or make an online purchase. While cybercriminals may obtain one part of the login process, it is typically much harder to get the other pieces required to access your account.

Back up your devices

Taking the time to back up your devices means that if your device is stolen, damaged or replaced, you can restore the information that matters to you.

• Back up manually or set it to happen automatically.
• Store copies of photos, documents and videos on an external drive or a reputable cloud service.
• If your device is compromised and data is wiped, you can use the backup to restore your files.

Set up clever passphrases.

Simple passwords—like “password”, pet names or favourite TV shows—make it easy for criminals to access your accounts.

• Use a passphrase made up of four or more random words or characters (e.g. Green Bed Plate Sit or DogSocks 5642$%pq).
• Aim for 15+ characters.
• Use a different passphrase for important accounts and avoid writing it where others can see.

Consider community learning groups, such as Young Mentors or U3A, which provide computer and internet education to older adults to build skills and confidence.

Stay alert

Cybercriminals often pretend to be a person or organisation you know. Recognise and report anything that seems suspicious.

• Be wary of prize notifications, “postage owing” messages, or “free services” that ask for your password.
• Do not click links or open attachments from unknown senders.
• Avoid sharing personal information unless you initiated the contact.