Media Release

Simple ways to stay smart and secure online

Australians are being encouraged to take some simple steps to improve their online security as part of National E-security Awareness Week.

"Being more secure online can be as simple as getting a better, stronger password and updating it twice a year," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said.

"No-one wants to lose their bank details to criminals or fall victim to an online scam and that’s why it’s important that people understand the simple steps they can take to stay smart online and protect their personal information."

National E-security Awareness Week aims to inform Australians about the importance of e-security and highlights the simple steps people can take to protect their personal and financial information.

The week involves a range of events designed to promote the stay smart online message. This includes Change your Password Day today.

Five simple tips for improving e-security:

• Get a better, stronger password and change it at least twice a year.
• Get security software, and update and patch it regularly.
• Stop and think before you click on links or attachments from unknown sources.
• Information is valuable. Be careful about what you give away about yourself and others online.
• Visit www.staysmartonline.gov.au for more information and to sign up for the email alert service.

"Australians are increasingly using the internet in their everyday lives, doing their banking, shopping, communicating with friends and family and running their businesses. This activity will only increase as we rollout the National Broadband Network," Senator Conroy said.

"I would like to encourage all Australians to take these simple steps to being more secure online, starting with updating their passwords."

The Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, emphasised that a partnership approach to e-security is critical.

"Business and government are facing an increasing range of sophisticated threats to their internet connected systems and government, businesses and individuals all have an important role to play in ensuring Australia has a robust e-security environment," Mr McClelland said.

National E-security Awareness Week highlights a shared responsibility for e-security as the Australian Government partners with more than 30 major organisations from the ICT industry, commercial business, state and territory government agencies and the community.

"I’d like to acknowledge the fantastic support of our partners who are participating this coming week and encourage everyone to take part in the activities and events on offer throughout the week ahead," Senator Conroy said.

Information on National E-security Awareness Week activities and the alert service is available on the Australian Government’s e-security website www.staysmartonline.gov.au

Date: 5 June 2009
Contact: Tim Marshall (Minister’s Office) 0408 258 457
Lisa Norris (Partners & Events) 0404 833 307

BACKGROUND

National E-security Awareness Week is designed to raise public awareness of the simple steps Australian internet users can take to stay secure online. The week is a collaborative event between Government, industry and community organisations.

A steering committee comprising representatives from Government and industry was established to guide the development of the week, in consultation with the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

Key participating organisations include:

• Attorney General’s Department
• Australian Communications and Media Authority
• Australian High Tech Crime Centre (Australian Federal Police)
• Defence Signals Directorate
• Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
• Abacus—Australian Mutuals (the Association of Building Societies and Credit Unions)
• Australian Bankers’ Association
• Australian Industry Group
• Australian Seniors Computer Club Association
• Australian TelecommunicationsUser Group
• eBay
• Harvey Norman
• Internet Industry Association
• Internet Society of Australia
  (ISOC-AU)
• McAfee
• Microsoft Australia
• MySpace
• Sophos
• Symantec
• Telstra

The Week is supported by:

• ANZ Bank
• Australian Football League
• Commonwealth Bank
• Dick Smith
• KPMG
• National Australia Bank
• National Rugby League
• Netball Australia
• Quintessence Labs
• Westpac Banking Corporation

State and Territory Governments involved the Week:

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory
• Queensland

Information on National E-security Awareness Week activities is available on the Australian Government’s e-security website www.staysmartonline.gov.au