Brief tips for students, parents and carers
Schools can provide the following brief tips to children and young people in need of guidance on this issue. Alternatively, age appropriate information and resources are available from the Parents, Young kids, Kids and Teens sections of the website.
More comprehensive e-security information is available on the ACMA website and on Stay Smart Online.
Use strong passwords
Use long and random passwords for any application that provides access to your personal information, including logging onto your computer. Ideally, the password should be eight or more characters in length, not a dictionary word, contain a mixture of letters and numbers and contain a mixture of upper and lower case letters. Change passwords regularly and use different passwords for each application. Visit the Secure your computer section of Stay Smart Online for practical advice on how to set and protect a ‘strong’ password. The Australian Computer Emergency Response Team’s (AusCERT) website also provides a comprehensive reference guide to choosing good passwords.
Install and update anti-virus and other security software
Viruses and other malicious software, such as worms and trojan horse viruses, can alter or erase data on your computers and allow spammers and other intruders to use your computer and network. Viruses and worms spread fast, and new variations are constantly being released, so your anti-virus software must be updated regularly.
Anti-virus software should be set to automatically scan all incoming and outgoing emails and any devices that are intermittently connected to a computer, such as a memory stick, a music player, digital camera, or other USB device. Set the software to automatically check for updates when connected to the internet. Visit the Secure your computer section of Stay Smart Online for a guide to the installation and use of this software. The Internet industry Association also provides relevant information.
Use a firewall and make sure it is turned on
A firewall is your computer's first line of defence against intruders. Firewalls can block all traffic between your network and the internet that is not explicitly allowed, preventing unauthorised access to your data. A firewall should be used in conjunction with anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Visit the Secure your computer section of Stay Smart Online for a guide to the use and installation of this software.
Manage emails safely
Delete suspect emails immediately. If you do open an email that seems suspect, don't click on any links in the suspect email. Visiting websites through clicking on links in suspect emails may result in malware (malicious software). This is a commonly used and effective means of compromising a computer.
All email attachments should be scanned by anti-virus software before being opened. Anti-virus software can be set to do this automatically.
Use spam filtering software to manage unwanted emails and report spam to the ACMA. More information about spam is available in the Protecting personal information Common cybersafety issue on this website.
Use safe internet browser settings
When browsing the web, creating documents, reading email and playing games, using a limited permission account can prevent malicious code from being installed onto your computer. A ‘limited permission' account is an account that does not have ‘Administrator' status. Visit the Secure your computer section of Stay Smart Online for a guide to the use of appropriate security settings for your web browser.
Keep up to date with security patches
Most operating systems are supported by automatic updates ('security patches') that fix vulnerabilities found in important software components. You should either use the 'automatic update' option, or subscribe to a security-related mailing list and install these patches when necessary.
Check and alter default settings
After installing software, check the configuration and setting options—you may find the software has extra features you don't need or want. Turning off unnecessary services is a good security precaution.
Back up your data and files
Back up your data regularly and check that backups are working. Creating a copy or backup of data is an effective way to help recover information from a computer if a virus destroys files, or the computer is stolen or destroyed. For example, burn data, photos, videos, etc, onto a CD-Rom or a USB stick, or use an external hard drive (external to the computer) regularly. Visit the Secure your computer section of Stay Smart Online for a guide to backing up data.
Use caution when sharing or downloading files
Don't download files or applications from suspect websites. The file or application could be malware. Sometimes the malware may even be falsely represented as e-security software designed to protect you. Visit the Secure your computer section of Stay Smart Online for more information about sharing files safely.
Protecting wireless internet connections
Wireless networks require special attention to secure them from hijacking. Users should:
-
change the default password to a ‘strong’ password
-
turn off the SSID broadcast on the wireless router
-
engage the highest level of encryption available for their wireless network, including turning the WPA encryption on
-
restrict access to the wireless network with MAC address filtering
-
monitor wireless networks for unusual activity
-
turn off the wireless connection when not in use.
Internet service providers or software vendors will be able to provide specific advice about protecting wireless networks. Visit the Secure your computer section of Stay Smart Online for a more detailed guide to securing wireless internet connections.
Keep up-to-date with security information
It is recommended that users keep up-to-date with security advice that affects their systems.
Stay Smart Online provides home users with information on the latest e-security threats through a free alert service.
Reputable organisations such as:
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team (AusCERT), operating system (eg, Windows, MacOS, Linux) vendors, and anti-virus/security software vendors also provide security information about emerging threats to computer security.