Ways To Keep Yourself Safe From Cyberfraud

According to the most recent cyber threat report by the Australian Cyber Security Centre, more than 87,000 reports of cybercrime were made in 2023-2024. Think about how many things you have done online today. Paid a bill? Logged into your bank account? Used social media or spent time answering emails? Maybe you have used your phone to pay at a supermarket or train station.

We are all plugged in, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. But with all these conveniences comes a growing risk many Australians are unprepared for: cybercrime. The Australian Cyber Security Centre warns of the increasing threat of cybercrime, which can be as devastating as losing money or damaging personal data.

The Statistics Are Alarming

Earlier this year, Scamwatch, run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, revealed Australians lost nearly A$319 million to scams in 2024 alone. In a recent example, cyber criminals used stolen login details to hack several major superfunds in Australia and steal a collective A$500,000 of people's retirement savings.

A big part of this worsening problem is poor "digital hygiene". What exactly is 'digital hygiene'? Just like brushing your teeth keeps cavities away, digital hygiene is all about keeping your online life clean, safe and protected from harm. It is a simple idea: the better your habits when using technology, the harder it is for scammers or hackers to trick you or get access to your personal information.

5 Easy Ways To Improve Your Digital Hygiene

Here are five easy ways to improve yours:

  1. Stop and think before clicking: Got an unexpected message from your bank asking you to verify your account? Or a text about a missed parcel delivery with a link? Scammers love urgency. It gets people to click before they think. Instead of rushing, pause. Ask yourself: was I expecting this? Is the sender's email or phone number legitimate? Do not click the link, go directly to the official website or app.

  2. Secure your online accounts: Using your pet's name or "123456" is not going to cut it. Reuse passwords across websites can be a breach on one site means hackers can try the same password everywhere else. This is called a credential stuffing attack. Begin securing your online accounts by using a password manager and updating any reused passwords, prioritising your most sensitive accounts such as emails, banking and cloud storage first.

  3. Update your apps and devices: Yes, those software updates are annoying, but they are important. Updates fix security holes that hackers can use. Make it automatic if you can, and do not ignore update prompts, especially for your operating systems such as Windows, iOS or Android.

  4. Be mindful of what you share: Oversharing on social media makes you an easy target. Public posts that include your birthday, where you went to school, or your pet's name can be used to guess security questions or build convincing fake messages. Think before you post - would a stranger need to know this?

  5. Be prepared for hacking: What should I do if I have been hacked? To check if your passwords have been leaked in a breach, you can use HaveIBeenPwned - a free tool trusted by security experts. Need more help? Visit esafety.gov.au for practical guides, especially for parents, teachers and young people.

The Importance Of Digital Hygiene

Digital hygiene is not a personal responsibility, it is a collective one. We are connected through emails, group chats, workplaces and social media. One weak link can put others at risk. Talk to your family and friends about the risk of scams and how to avoid them.

The more we talk about this, the more normal and effective digital hygiene becomes. Because just like washing your hands became second nature during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping your online life clean should be a habit, not an afterthought. By following these simple tips, you can help keep yourself safe from cyberfraud.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. (Author: Meena Jha Head Technology and Pedagogy Cluster CML-NET, CQUniversity Australia)