What steps can I take to protect myself from a cyber scam? Some easy tips! – Security

Cyber scams and scammers are becoming more prevalent and
sophisticated in their attempts to steal money and personal
details. Protecting yourself from online fraud, phishing and scams
is crucial to safeguarding both your personal information as well
as ensuring your financial well-being. In this article, we will
discuss some of the ways you can be alert to scams and protect
yourself from cyber scams.

Be alert to the fact that scams exist and target
everyone

Scams including phishing attacks target everyone, and no one
group is more likely to be a victim, and at some point, all of us
can be vulnerable to a scam. Scams often succeed because they are
designed to look like the real thing and can catch you off guard.
When dealing with any uninvited contact in all forms in your
everyday life, whether speaking with someone over the phone, by
mail, email, social networking, or in person, you should always
consider whether there is the possibility of a scam and be on
guard. You should also take care with known contacts, such as
financial institutions, as scammers will often use phishing scams
designed to look like they are from a trusted provider.

Develop strong password practices

Creating strong, unique passwords is your first defence against
cyber scams. You should follow these guidelines to ensure the
protection of your online accounts:

• Use upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special
  characters.




• Avoid using common phrases, personal information, or dictionary
  words.




• Utilise a password manager to securely store and generate
  unique passwords for your online accounts.




• Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible for an added
  layer of security.

Enhance your email security

Email is a common way for cybercriminals to launch phishing
attacks. You can protect yourself from email based scams with the
following precautions:

• Be cautious of unsolicited emails and never click suspicious
  links or download attachments from unknown sources.




• Verify the email sender’s identity before sharing your
  personal or financial information.




• Regularly update and use reputable anti-malware software to
  detect and block phishing attempts.




• Be wary of urgent requests for sensitive information, as
  scammers often use urgency to manipulate a victim.




• If you are concerned about an email that appears to be from a
  trusted source, contact that provider by phone first to verify any
  email or sms contact.

Exercise caution with personal
information

Safeguarding your personal information is crucial in preventing
identity theft and fraud. You can protect your sensitive data in
the following ways:

• Limit the amount of personal information you share online,
  especially on social media platforms.




• Be cautious when providing your personal information over the
  phone, especially when the call is unsolicited.




• Regularly review your privacy settings on social media accounts
  and adjust them to limit access to your personal information.




• Monitor your financial statements and credit reports regularly
  to detect any suspicious activity.

Stay informed about common scams

Educating yourself about the latest cyber scams is essential to
recognise and avoid potential threats. You can stay up to date by
doing the following:

• Keep an eye on the news that features cybersecurity updates and
  circulating scams and provides resources to stay informed about the
  latest scams and techniques cybercriminals use. The ACCC’s Scamwatch
  is a good place to start.




• Be sceptical of offers that sound too good to be true, such as
  lottery or prize winnings.




• Research unfamiliar websites or online sellers before making
  purchases or sharing any payment information.




• Trust your instincts. If something feels suspicious or off,
  take a step back and investigate further before proceeding.

Secure your devices and networks

Securing your devices and networks is vital to protect against
malware, viruses, and unauthorised access. You can do the following
to enhance your security:

• Keep your devices, antivirus software, and other applications
  updated with the latest security patches.




• Use a reliable firewall and enable automatic updates for your
  router and modem firmware.




• Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive activities like
  online banking or accessing personal accounts.




• Regularly back up your data to an external hard drive or a
  secure cloud storage service to mitigate the risk of data
  loss.

Protecting yourself from cyber scams requires you to be
proactive and stay informed about cybercriminals’ evolving and
ever-changing techniques. Being vigilant and continuing to remain
educated is vital to staying safe.

Where can I get help?

The Australian Competition & Consumer
Commission provides resources to assist you if you have been
scammed and provides details of how to report scams so that you can
warn others. In terms of any financial scam, the most important
thing to do is contact your bank as soon as you are concerned you
might have been scammed to see if they can put a stop to it. You
can also report any scam to police online.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.