Skip to content

National Cyber Security Awareness Week
30 May - 3 June 2011

PrintAdd to FacebookAdd to Twitter

National Cyber Security Awareness Week
30 May - 3 June 2011

To mark National Cyber Security Awareness Week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is reminding everybody of the simple steps they can take to protect themselves and their families online.

This year, over 45 different events will be held across the nation, and the ACMA will be hosting a number of activities throughout the week.

Students at the International Grammar School, Sydney, participating in Cybersmart Hero.

Interactive Shared Learning

To mark the beginning of the week, on Monday 30 May the ACMA will release new research on international approaches to cyber security education. A copy of the study can be found on the ACMA website.

On Tuesday 31 May the ACMA is conducting an Interactive Shared Learning Cybersmart Hero event at International Grammar School in Ultimo. Also, the ACMA’s Cybersafety Programs will conduct nine Cybersmart Detective events right across Australia.

NetBasics

NetBasics

On Wednesday 1 June the ACMA is launching NetBasics, an exciting new cyber security education resource for secondary school students at Marsden High School in Sydney. NetBasics is a series of 11 short animated episodes for middle school students that follow the online experiences of the Jones family. The episodes cover important cybersecurity topics such as online shopping, online trickery, online banking and the importance of installing and updating security software.

The ACMA’s Suzanne Shipard, Manager of the e-Security Strategy and Education Section, will be a panellist in an ACCAN-roundtable discussion on smartphone safety. The roundtable will take place at Darling Harbour in Sydney. For more details, or to register your interest, visit www.accan.org.au.

Even if you can’t make it to an event, there are eight simple tips that you can follow for better online security:

  1. Install and renew your security software and set it to scan regularly.
  2. Turn on automatic updates on all your software, including your operating system and other applications.
  3. Think carefully before you click on links and attachments, particularly in emails and on social networking sites.
  4. Regularly adjust your privacy settings on social networking sites.
  5. Report or talk to someone about anything online that makes you uncomfortable or threatened – download the government's Cybersafety Help Button.
  6. Stop and think before you post any photos or financial or personal information about yourself, your friends or family.
  7. Use strong passwords and change them at least twice a year.
  8. Talk within your family about good online safety.