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As April rolls in and we continue working on our goals for the year, it’s a good time to check in on an area we often forget—digital security. While it may not be the most exciting topic, neglecting your online safety could cost you more than you think—time, money, or even your reputation. Here are four simple ways to enhance your digital security this month.
Our recommendations:
Embrace Multi-Factor Authentication
Passwords are just the starting point for securing accounts. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enhances security, providing an additional login check that helps keep accounts safe even if someone else discovers your password. For more information see the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSCs) webpage.
Stay updated
Outdated software is a prime target for cybercriminals. Make sure your phone, laptop, and apps are all updated. These updates keep your devices protected against recent threats. Even better, enable automatic updates on your devices to ensure you’re always running the latest versions of software and security features.
For more information about how to update your devices, see the ACSCs guide.
Verify before you click
Always authenticate the legitimacy of messages requesting sensitive data and never click on links or download attachments from unknown or untrusted sources. Be sure to look out for red flags like urgent messages, misspelt email addresses or grammar and spelling.
Suspicious email? Report it easily by using the ‘Report Phishing’ button in Outlook.
The longer the stronger
Opt for passphrases “sow-SEEDS-not-W33DS”, which are longer and more secure than traditional passwords “password123”. To get started, put four random words together then sprinkle in some numbers (213) and special characters (!%).
Level up with a password manager
Password managers like 1Password, and Bitwarden store and fill in your passwords, making it easier to use strong, unique ones for each account. They keep your information safe with encryption and extra security features like two-factor authentication. You can trust them to protect your passwords and simplify logging into your accounts.
Further information
For more information on staying cyber secure, refer to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) guide and checklist. If think you’ve fallen for a scam and need assistance, visit the ACSC’s how to recover from scams website.
This article has been brought to you by Digital & Technology Solutions
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