Protect yourself against cybercrime

Letterbox with padlock
Using a padlock on your letterbox can help prevent identity theft

We are all potential targets of cybercrime. Our increasing use of new technology such as online banking and social networking means that it’s easier for cybercriminals to obtain our personal information and use it to steal our money and even our identity.

Your personal information is valuable, but you can protect it.

  1. Make sure you have a lockable letterbox so that mail containing your personal and banking information can’t be stolen.
  2. Install a home safe to store important documents such as passports, birth certificates and other forms of ID.

And here are some other ways you can protect you and your family from cybercrime.

  • Create strong passwords and change them regularly
  • Use an anti-virus program and turn on automatic updates
  • If you don’t know who sent the email, delete it
  • Think before you act online. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is
  • Watch a Youth Central video (External link) and learn more about managing your digital footprint
  • Do not respond to a cyberbully. Block the person from contacting you online and report the incident to authorities if the cyberbullying continues

Source: Department of Justice, Victoria