08 Oct Stay Smart Online Week: Lock down your online security today

Lock down your online security today

CRM Brokers is a proud partner of Stay Smart Online, an Australian Government program that provides simple and easy-to-understand advice about online safety. This year in Stay Smart Online Week, we don’t just want to raise awareness, we want to change behaviour.

This year the theme is ‘Reverse the Threat’, a bold new initiative to bring cybercrime out of the shadows and put cyber security in the national spotlight. We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves, our families, our businesses and our communities from cybercrime.

How can you protect yourself?

To help reverse the threat of cybercrime in Stay Smart Online Week 2018, we are encouraging you to protect yourself from cybercrime by taking four simple actions:

• Create strong passwords and use two-factor authentication.
• Install the latest updates for your devices and apps.
• Know how to spot phishing scams.
• Use public Wi-Fi safely.

Passwords

Did you know that 59% of people use the same password across all of their devices and accounts? This means if a cybercriminal gets hold of your password, they could access all of your accounts. Think of your password like a key — instead of unlocking a door, it unlocks your online
life.

Passwords are the first line of defence against cybercriminals. So create a strong password by stringing together a series of words that are easy for you to remember but hard for someone else to guess.

• Use a different password for every online account you have
• Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts with two-factor authentication

Updates

Cybercriminals can use weaknesses or cracks in the software on your systems to let themselves in. Updating your software is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself online. Software updates, such IOS and Android are available for your phone; programs on your computer and apps you’ve downloaded.

These updates add new features, install bug fixes, and most importantly, fix security holes that could let cybercriminals in.You should install software updates as soon as they become available. Better still, set your system to auto-update.

Phishing Scams

Australians lost over $50 million to online-based scams in 2017. And one of the most common forms of cybercrime is phishing.

Phishing are fake messages that try to trick you into giving out your personal or financial details. Some messages may look real by using company logos and branding. You can receive phishing messages by email, text message, social media or over the phone.

As cybercriminals become even more sophisticated, we need to remain alert. Look out for these common warning signs:

• Misspelt words or poor grammar
• Messages offering deals too good to be true
• Urgent messages demanding immediate action
• Messages asking you to confirm your financial or personal details

If you receive a suspicious message, do not click on any links or open any attachments.

Contact the sender organisation to check whether the message is real. Make sure to get their email or phone number by looking up their website independently.

Public Wi-fi

Public Wi-Fi isn’t always safe. If you don’t have the right protections in place cybercriminals may be able to see the information being sent between your phone and the Wi-Fi hotspot. So it’s important to be careful about what you do online when you’re connected to public Wi-Fi.

Remember these tips to protect your information and devices:

• Turn off any auto-connect settings for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on your devices
• Pay attention to which network you select. Cybercriminals set up rogue hotspots with names that look like a legitimate network
• Avoid online banking or shopping, sending confidential emails or entering personal details (like passwords or credit card number)

How can a Cyber Insurance policy respond in the event of cybercrime

Which Cyber Insurance policy is right for you?

There is no such thing as an impenetrable system; this is why in today’s digital age Cyber Insurance is a must for your business to mitigate your exposure in the event of a cyber-attack.

Find out how little it costs to protect your business from the costs attached to a cyber-attack. You can obtain a Cyber Insurance quote online in a matter of minutes, click here to begin.

Contact CRM Brokers today, we will work with you to find the right policy that mitigates your potential exposure from this emerging risk,  call us on 1300 880 494.

Partnership with Stay Smart Online

CRM Brokers are proud partners of Stay Smart Online, an Australian Government initiative designed to help everyone understand the risks and simple steps we can take to protect our personal and financial information online.

Stay Smart Online also provide a free Alert Service to explain recent online threats and how they can be managed. Small business users are provided with easy to understand online safety and security information and solutions to help protect their online safety a privacy.

Sign up to the Alert Service

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Important Notice

This article provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this article, including any information contained in it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information. In particular, you should review the product disclosure statement for any product that the information relates to it before acquiring the product.

Information is current as at the date the article is written as specified within it but is subject to change. CRM Brokers make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. Various third parties have contributed to the production of this content. All information is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of CRM Brokers.