The Allan Labor Government has developed a new cyber safety check tool to help Victorians learn more about keeping their personal information safe and secure.
Minister for Government Services Gabrielle Williams launched the new tool - available on the Service Victoria app - as part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, providing a new way for Victorians to protect themselves online.
The cyber safety check asks users questions about their online behaviour and habits such as creating strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication. Once the user completes the check, they are given tailored advice on how to improve their cyber safety behaviour.
As cybercriminals become increasingly sophisticated, understanding how to safeguard personal information online is more important than ever.
Research done by the Labor Government shows that only 39 per cent of people are using strong passwords, 33 per cent have multi-factor authentication turned on and 48 per cent have enabled automatic updates.
As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Labor Government is encouraging Victorians to learn about the simple steps they can take to reduce their cyber risk and safeguard their personal data.
These simple steps include:
using long and unique passwords
turning on multi-factor authentication
turning on automatic software updates
guarding against phishing.
The Labor Government launched a password strength tester in May for Victorians to test passwords and receive advice on how to make them stronger - so far nearly 45,000 passwords have been tested through this tool.
Both the password strength tester and the cyber safety check can be found on the Service Victoria app. Both tools are anonymous, secure and no information is collected, tracked or stored.
Victorians can learn more about being safe online by visiting the dedicated website for online safety advice. The website has a range of information on passwords, multi-factor authentication, updating devices, and online scam awareness.
For cyber safety information and advice and to check your online behaviour visit vic.gov.au/stay-safe-online.
As stated by Minister for Government Services Gabrielle Williams
"Knowing how to keep your personal information secure is essential, and assessing your current cyber safety knowledge and behaviour is the first step."
"We've made the cyber safety check and password strength tester available on the Service Victoria App - they are safe, secure and easy to use."
