guide to staying safe online How to shop, bank, socialise and protect your identity online.

Transcription

1 THE Mcafee guide to staying safe online How to shop, bank, socialise and protect your identity online.

2 contents 1 Introduction 2 Today s Internet: Proceed with Caution 3 Consider the Upsides 4 Be Aware of the Downsides 5 Surf & Search with Confidence 6 Enjoy Safe Shopping 7 Avoid Identity Theft 8 Reduce Spam Risks 9 Enjoy Social Networking 10 Get More Advice The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 2

3 1 INTRODUCTION Millions of people worldwide use the Internet every day to learn, research, shop, buy, bank, invest, share photos, play games, download movies and music, connect with friends, meet new people, and engage in a host of other activities. Though cyberspace offers numerous benefits, opportunities, and conveniences, it is also increasingly risky, with many new threats emerging daily particularly as people access the Internet with a multitude of devices (other than PCs) that are often unsecured. A recent McAfee survey reveals that Australians are increasingly concerned about providing information online. Almost 97% believe organisations are misusing their personal information, which is not surprising given the growing problem of identity theft. In addition, nearly 40% of seniors believe that online services and/or social media sites pose the biggest risk to their privacy. 1 While there are legitimate concerns when it comes to your online privacy, the good news is that there are steps you can take to stay safe. As well as installing security software on all your devices from a trusted company to defend yourself against cybercriminals, you need to follow some basic Internet safety rules and use good old-fashioned, real-world common sense. This simple guide has been created to help ensure your online experience is not only fun and enjoyable, but safe and secure as well. 1 The Community Attitudes to Privacy research conducted by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and co-sponsored by McAfee, The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 3

4 2 Today s Internet: Proceed With Caution While the Internet offers unlimited benefits, it s important to proceed with caution. By being aware of the pitfalls and understanding the basics of protecting yourself in cyberspace, you can ensure a safe digital experience. Here are some facts: On average, the over-fifties, also known as Silver Surfers, use the Internet for 3.4 hours a day. 2 75% of Silver Surfers have accessed their bank account online and 82% have bought something online. 2 Nearly half of Australians (48%) believe that online services and/or social media sites pose the biggest risk to privacy. 3 A quarter of Australians perceive identity threat and fraud as the greatest privacy risk facing them. 3 Every three seconds, an identity is stolen. 3 In fact, 18% of Silver Surfers have been victims of online fraud (stolen details and fake s). 2 Unfortunately, more than a quarter of this group use risky or low level security passwords and only 58% have updated security software on their computers. 5 95% of Silver Surfers use the Internet to stay in touch with family, friends and children. 2 One in two Silver Surfers use social media, with Facebook being the most commonly used social network. Skype is also popular with retirees or those over 65 years. Importantly, 72% of social users think social networks put them at risk from online scams. 2 2 Silver Surfers Internet Behaviour: Australia, Research commissioned by McAfee The Community Attitudes to Privacy research conducted by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and co-sponsored by McAfee, 2013.

5 3 Consider the Upsides There s no doubt about it there are many advantages to being online. Here are some of the benefits that keep people logging on: 24-hour-a-day shopping On the Internet, stores never close so you can shop when it s convenient for you and browse as long as you like. Banking, taxes and business Keep the financial part of your life in shipshape with the Internet, where you can do all your banking, taxes and undertake business online. Stay connected with people like never before You can your loved ones, use social media such as Facebook to share your photos, talk or video chat with friends for free, and participate in discussions on topics you find interesting with people from around the world. Surf the web The Internet world really is your oyster! You can search for information on unlimited topics, ranging from news, to government information or recipes.»» Download movies, music and books Watching movies on-demand, dancing the night away to music of all genres, listening to radio shows from anywhere around the world or reading the latest crime novel are just some of the advantages of the Internet. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 5

6 4 Be Aware of the Downsides It s hard to beat the convenience and immediacy of the Internet however it does have its downsides. Here are a few of the disadvantages to consider: Viruses Just like the flu, a computer virus can infect your computer or mobile devices, thereby compromising security and damaging valuable files. Suspicious s and scams Often known as spam, these messages can contain offensive material or offers that might seem legitimate but they often lead you to deceptive websites setup to steal your credit card information. Risky websites Not all websites are created equal and scammers are everywhere. The number of risky websites on the Internet is rising and common problems include identity theft. You also need to be careful with the keywords you use to search for information, as you could be exposing yourself to unnecessary risks. Identity theft By using your personal details, thieves can open a credit card account in your name. They can run up charges and obtain official government documents. When this happens, you will lose money and risk the ability to receive medical or government benefits. It may also damage your reputation.»» Social media scams When using social media, it s important to understand that people outside your circle of friends can access and view the information you post about yourself. By providing details such as your name, date of birth and address details, thieves can start to piece together the information they need to steal your identity. And, there are now instances where scammers will pose as one of your friends to dupe you into providing information. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 6

7 5 Surf & Search with Confidence Most of us protect our valuables in public, yet many of us aren t that careful when we go online. In a recent survey, McAfee found that a vast majority of Australians don t secure their personal computers, laptops or mobile devices when they go online. 4 Here are 5 tips to surfing and searching the web safely: 1 Make sure you have reputable security software installed that protects your computer and all other devices against viruses, hackers and spyware. This software should be updated frequently or automatically, as new threats emerge daily. 2 When surfing the Internet, avoid clicking on pop-ups and other ads as these can install nasty spyware and adware on your computer or device. 3 Stay away from strangers Be careful of websites hosted by unknown organisations or individuals. The same applies to opening s or attachments from people you don t know in real life. 4 Be aware when searching Looking for popular items such as song lyrics and celebrities can be fraught with danger. You may download a celebrity screensaver by being enticed with a free ipod only to find that it is malicious. 5 Download McAfee SiteAdvisor To determine if a site is safe, download our free award-winning browser plug-in that gives safety advice about websites before you click: 4 Digital Assets Survey, McAfee 2013 The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 7

8 6 Enjoy Safe Shopping Now that most of our lives are spent online it s important to think before you click. Today, online shopping has become an attractive convenience, because it's easy, often less expensive, simplifies price comparisons and is open 24/7/365. Yet, you need to take a few precautions. Follow these tips to have the best online shopping experience possible: Before you buy Compare deals Search for the best deals and compare prices, but be wary of deals that sound too good to be true. Check the retailer Make sure the online merchant lists a physical address and call the phone number to speak to a representative. Read customer reviews If there are multiple complaints about the company, proceed with caution. Know the shipping policies Look into shipping and handling fees and make sure they re reasonable. Know your options when it comes to returns and exchanges. Understand delivery options Find out when your purchase will be delivered. Privacy Read the company s privacy policy to make sure the site is not selling or sharing your information with third-parties. When making a purchase»» Don t shop if you are not comfortable If you feel the site may not be secure, you re probably right. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 8

9 6 Never click on links from spam s to purchase It's particularly dangerous to buy from a site advertised in a spam . Always use a search engine to locate legitimate online merchant sites. Check the web address If you click on a link from an , check that you are on the correct website. If in doubt, type the web address directly in your browser. Check the site is secure Look for a security seal, such as the McAfee SECURE Trustmark. This shows the site has been scanned and verified as secure. The security seal indicates the site will protect you from identity theft, credit card fraud, spam and other malicious threats. Also, check to see if the site uses some form of encryption when transmitting information over the Internet. Look for a lock symbol on the page and make sure the web address starts with https instead of http. Use a credit card for payment If the site turns out to be fraudulent, your credit card company will usually reimburse your purchase. A word of caution stay away from using debit cards. However, one-time-use credit cards are safe to use, as are online payment services like PayPal. Don t use a public computer to shop online As strangers may be able to access your browsing history and even login to your information, make sure you do all your online shopping from a secure home computer. Use a secure connection When placing your order, never shop using an unsecured wireless network because hackers can steal your payment information. Make sure your computer is protected with comprehensive and up-to-date security software such as McAfee LiveSafe, which will safeguard you from viruses, spyware and other online threats. Use strong passwords Choose passwords that are difficult to guess and that are at least ten characters long with a combination of numbers, letters and symbols. For tips on creating strong passwords, visit the McAfee Security Advice Center: The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 9

10 7 Avoid Identity Theft When you think of theft, you think of someone stealing your possessions. The same applies online. Modern thieves have gone high-tech they can take your money, use your credit and ruin your reputation by stealing your identity. Identity theft can happen to anyone because our personal information is often scattered in so many places from online shopping websites and corporate databases to wallets and scraps of paper. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 10

11 7 Here are 5 tips to protect your personal information and identity: 1 Invest in security software Look for comprehensive PC security software that protects you from viruses, spyware, adware, hackers, unwanted s, phishing scams and identity theft. Choose a brand you can trust, like McAfee. If you are using a mobile or tablet, make sure they are also covered with comprehensive security protection such as McAfee LiveSafe 2 Secure your wireless network You are at risk if you access the Internet from a public or unsecured Wi-Fi network. Cyber criminals can attack you from miles away to steal your information and use your wireless network for their own communication. 3 Watch out for phishing scams These are fraudulent s, text messages, social media links or websites masquerading as legitimate businesses to lure you into revealing bank account details or login information. Most banks will never ask you to verify your personal information by but ask you to do so via a secure source, such as inside your internet banking environment. 4 Use a secure PC Hackers can easily steal sensitive information that is sent over an unsecured Wi-Fi network or public PC. 5 If in doubt don t click It s better to be safe than sorry, so trust your instincts before clicking. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 11

12 8 Reduce Spam Risks Not the canned ham kind, spam is mass-distributed, unsolicited and advertising that is often harmful. To use your computer and the Internet safely, you need to safeguard your files, identity, and personal information and to protect your overall online experience from spammers that promote get-rich schemes, questionable products, fraudulent offers and phishing scams. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 12

13 8 Follow these 5 tips to fight spam head-on: 1 Install a comprehensive PC security package and keep it up to date. An filter and PC spam blocking software are absolutely critical. This will let you enjoy a worry-free Internet experience by protecting your identity. It will eliminate viruses, spyware, scams, hackers and online predators, and provide automated backup for important files. 2 Use great caution when opening attachments Configure your PC, digital or wireless device with anti-virus software to automatically scan all s and instant message attachments. Never open unsolicited business s, or attachments that you re not expecting even from people you know. 3 Watch out for phishing scams Don t click on links in s or instant messages. Instead type in the URL directly in your web browser. You can also verify that an is legitimate by calling the business directly. 4 Create a complex address This makes it more difficult for hackers to auto-generate your , or target your for other types of attacks. Try using letters, numbers and other characters in a unique combination. 5 Create smart and strong passwords Make them difficult for hackers to crack. Try incorporating capital letters, numbers, special characters and using more than six characters. An example of a strong password is Go1dM!n3. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 13

14 9 Enjoy Social Networking While most online experiences are one-way, social networking lets you have a two-way dialogue to share opinions, photos and more. Social networks provide a great virtual community to discuss opinions, connect with family and stay in touch with friends. Too often, users of Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter include detailed personal information that may place them at risk. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 14

15 9 Here are some key tips to make your social networking experience safe: Think before you post Nothing is secret in cyberspace and everything lasts forever, so don t share confidential or inappropriate information that can be passed on to people you don t know. Beware of strangers These so called friends may be predators or cybercriminals wanting to cause harm or steal your information. It s good practice to only accept friend requests from those people you know. Don t share personal information Keep your passwords, numbers, addresses and other personal information private, including holiday plans. Consider turning off the GPS function on your digital devices such as smartphones. You may be happy to let friends know your exact location, but what about thieves? Be wary of freebies Remember nothing in life is free. Unsolicited messages with free offers and links to website may be coming from a con artist that has commandeered a friend s profile and is phishing for your personal information. Be careful as this could result in identity theft.»» Change your passwords frequently In addition to choosing passwords that are difficult to guess, remember to change them regularly. This limits the amount of time lost or stolen password can be used by someone else. We recommend that you don't use the same passwords for different sites. The McAfee Guide to Staying Safe Online 15

16 10 Get More Advice Stay safe and enjoy your digital life. For more information and advice about PC and Internet security, please visit the McAfee Security Advice Center at like us on Facebook or check out the McAfee Cybered website: About McAfee McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world s largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee is committed to relentlessly tackling the world s toughest security challenges. The company delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. McAfee and the McAfee logo, are registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other marks and brands may be claimed as the property of others. The product plans, specifications, and descriptions herein are provided for information only and subject to change without notice, and are provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Copyright 2013 McAfee, Inc. or implied. Copyright 2013 McAfee, Inc.