Four tips for keeping yourself safe online

The Government’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT NZ) has put together four handy tips for keeping yourself safe online this Cyber Smart Week.

1. Strengthen your password game

Long, strong and unique passwords are harder to crack.

Use passwords that are easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess by: 

• Making your password at least eight characters long – the more characters the better, as long as you can remember it easily.
• Choosing a phrase or a string of words that has meaning to you is a good way to have a long, secure, and easy to remember password.

It can be tricky coming up with strong passwords, so try making passphrases instead – a random phrase of four or more words. They’re easy to remember but hard for attackers to crack.

2. Power up by turning on two-factor authentication

Keep attackers out of your online accounts with a second layer of defence.

Double down and protect your online accounts from attacks with two-factor authentication (2FA). It’s like a secret key for your online accounts that’s used on top of your password. It’s usually a unique code sent to your phone or taken from an app that only you have access to. Having 2FA turned on means even if an attacker gets your login details, they still won’t get in.

3. Update to full strength

Activate auto updates on apps and devices to dodge security weaknesses.

Updates help keep your apps and devices healthy. Updates aren’t just about getting the latest features available on apps and devices, they also protect you from any weaknesses that could let attackers in. The easiest way to do this is by going to settings and turning on automatic updates – then you just let it do its thing.

4. Boost your privacy defence

Switch social media settings to private to protect your personal info.

Your personal information is gold for attackers. Make sure your social media privacy settings are switched over to ‘Private’ or ‘Friends only’ – this way, you can control who sees what information you share and who you’re sharing it with. This not only protects yourself, but also your friends, family and followers from scams.

If you have not already done so, please also make sure you complete the online learning module for Information Security on Learning Station(external link)(external link) and read the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Acceptable Use Policy(external link)(external link) so you know the rules around the use of our equipment and sharing of information.

We also have a new information management module for people managers that we have rolled out recently to ensure we’re keeping up to date with our privacy obligations.

If you have any concerns about your cyber security at work, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our IT team: ITSupport@fireandemergency.nz or call 0800 374 843.