How can I protect my personal information?
It is important to understand how personal information is used online and how to protect your information and digital reputation.
Tips for protecting your personal information online:
Only disclose financial information on secure websites. Look for an address beginning with https:// and a ‘locked’ padlock symbol next to the URL or at the base of your browser window, which indicates that data is being encrypted
If in doubt about the legitimacy of a website, call the organisation it claims to represent. The Scamwatch website provides further advice on how to identify and report potential scams.
Banking institutions will never email individuals asking for their user name or password. If you receive an email by an organisation claiming to represent a banking institution report the email to the bank and Scamwatch. Do not respond and do not click on any links provided.
Read user agreements and privacy policies. Many organisations use information for marketing purposes and may sell it to other marketing firms. If you do post information on a website that sells information to marketers, you may receive promotional spam emails which can be difficult to stop.
Understand that information shared online can be permanent — you may not have control over who sees or accesses your personal information. This includes teachers, parents and prospective employers.