Top Tips for Improving Online Safety

Gen Y and Z, dubbed 'the Net generation' and 'digital natives', aren't living up to their reputations, with more than one in four admitting at least one of their online accounts has been hacked, according to a new survey by PC Tools.

Online security advocate Lauren Young says, "Many Aussies, especially the generations who have grown up with the internet, are too confident online, leading them to make careless mistakes when it comes to internet security."

"One of biggest online blunders is weak passwords. Most people underestimate just how important secure passwords are, especially now that they're spending more time online than ever before. Creating easy-to-crack passwords or storing them in a non-secure place leaves consumers open to all sorts of online issues. If someone is able to access one of your online accounts, they can steal personal information, hijack your account to distribute viruses, steal your identity, drain your bank account or even rack up large debts on your behalf."

The study shows more than 28 per cent of Gen Y and Z use something familiar and easily hacked as their password, such as the name of a loved one, a pet, or a favourite number or place. Many are even using the same passwords across multiple applications and accounts.

Almost 20 per cent of all Australians store their passwords in an easily accessible place, such as on their mobile phone, or jotted down on paper or a diary/planner.

"The good news is there are a number of simple, effective and often free methods anyone can use to improve online security," Ms Young says. "Simple solutions, such as downloading a password manager to store passwords safely or having passwords generated securely by a password generator, will greatly improve online security."

Top Tips for Improving Online Safety
In less time than it takes you to get all your facebook updates done...
A new survey by PC Tools has revealed Australians aren't up to scratch with online security skills, especially when it comes to having secure passwords. Online security advocate Lauren Young shares her top tips for quickly, easily and effectively improving password practices and online security.

Step one: Get tricky with it …
Never use the same password for all online accounts. Create a new, secure password for every online portal. This includes emails, social networking sites such as facebook and twitter, online banking, student sites, government portals, and work PCs and intranets.
Don't give anyone time to try and guess your password. Generate a new password at least every three months for each of your online accounts.
Forget your dog, your cat and your Mum's maiden name. Use a secure password that's made just for you. The PC Tools Password Generator is a free online tool that creates highly secure, individual passwords using an optimum number of characters for ultimate safety.

Step two: Take the time to login …
Never save your password online. Uncheck boxes such as 'remember password' or 'login automatically'. While it might be convenient right now, it's not secure.
Turn off the 'auto-complete' setting in your web browser, which automatically fills in your password when you log on to various websites. It's easily done - just go to the 'tools' menu in the browser and find it under 'internet settings'.

Step three: Keep information top secret …
It seems simple, but only you should know your passwords. Don't tell anyone else your online passwords, not even your partner, friends, workmates or family - you never know where these could end up.
Don't store passwords in a place anyone can get their hands on. Instead, download a program such as the free PC Tools Password Utilities, which will remember all passwords for you and check how secure your passwords really are.

For more information or to download the PC Tools Password Generator or Password Utilities, visit www.pctools.com/guides/password

PC Tools is dedicated to providing simple, effective and affordable online performance and protection software for consumers. The PC Tools portfolio delivers practical tools for powerful protection and enhanced computing performance. PC Tools has offered industry-leading and award-winning products to tackle the world's evolving threats and security challenges for more than 12 years. Visit www.pctools.com