These days we are all spending more time online, from making purchases online to interacting on social networking sites. The following tips can help you to protect your financial and personal information and they apply to smartphones, tablets, notebooks and computers.

1. Install and update your security software and schedule regular virus and malware scans.
2. Turn on automatic updates for your operating system, web browser and other applications such as Adobe flash and Java.
3. Use strong passwords by combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Use different passwords for different uses.
4. Stop and think before you click on links and attachments.
5. Take care when buying online in particular when purchasing from international sites. Research the supplier and use a safe payment method.
6. When downloading “apps” always select apps from reputable publishers and check the permission requests while installing the “app”.
7. Check your privacy settings on social networking sites and be aware that they may make modifications to the social network which can affect your privacy and security settings so check your settings regularly.
8. Stop and think before posting photos or financial information online.
9. Talk with your children about staying safe online, observe age requirements for social networking sites.
10. If you feel threatened or uncomfortable online there are lots of resources available. Check www.cybersmart.gov.au for more information.