If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If something seems or feels fishy, it probably is.

Common sense is one of the most powerful tools against cyber crime and scams. If you were in the same situation in real life as online, what would you do? Would you give a stranger the key to your letterbox? Would you pay $1,000 to receive a prize for a contest you didn't enter?

If you are at all unsure, consult Stay Smart Online or Scam Watch. Better safe than sorry!

Treat your personal information as you would treat your money – don’t leave it lying around for others to take.

Most people are very careful with personal documents such as a birth certificate or driver's licence. You keep them in a safe place and wouldn’t give them to someone you didn’t know or trust.

You should do the same thing with your personal information online to prevent others from using this information to impersonate you.

For more information go to Stay Smart Online.

Spammers are very clever these days in disguising malicious content in emails or in posts on sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Before clicking on a link, be sure to think carefully about where it came from. Is it from a trusted source? If so, is it consistent with what you should receive from that source? Could a friend's email have been hacked and sent you a link or attachment?

If the email is from a bank, company or website, is it one you use? Is it an email you expected to receive? Even if it is, consider typing in the company's website into your browser instead of clicking the link.

You can read more about managing spam and avoiding scams on the Stay Smart Online website.

Today's children are growing up in a new world. They are exposed at a very young age to computers, mobiles and the internet.

Children may – unknowingly or deliberately – share personal information without realising they may be subject to identity theft, or that they are leaving behind content that might not reflect well on them in the future.

By taking an active role in talking with you kids about the risks and answering their questions or concerns about something that they find on the Internet you can help them stay safer online.

Tell your children if they are uncomfortable talking to you they can contact the Cybersmart Online Helpline (Kids Helpline) www.cybersmart.gov.au

Mobile phones, especially smart phones are mobile computers. They allow you to
access the internet and email, download applications and games and store
personal contacts, photos and information.

You need to protect and secure your phone just as you would your home or mobile computer.

See Stay Smart Online for how to protect your phone.

Setting your computer to automatically update its operating system and software will help to ensure that you receive the most current security updates, helping to reduce the risk of your computer being compromised.

See Stay Smart Online for how to configure your computer for automatic updates.

With the news today that millions of LinkedIn users’ passwords were leaked
online, it’s important to remember to set strong passwords, and use unique passwords for different accounts. Read more on Stay Smart Online.

If you’re a LinkedIn user, it is recommended that you change your password as soon as possible.

Scammers are advanced and savvy. They go way beyond the typical "Nigerian transfer" scams. Scammers pay attention to current events and prey on those who are most vulnerable.

But you can stay ahead of the curve. Sign up for scam alerts from the Australian Government's ScamWatch site or follow them on Twitter.

While Cordelta's Security Practice is normally concerned with corporate and government ICT Security, we have partnered with the upcoming National Cyber Security Awareness Week to remind our clients and staff that security is equally important at home.

National Cyber Security Awareness Week is an Australian Government initiative, held annually in partnership with 
industry, community and consumer groups and state and territory governments. The 2012 Awareness Week is from 12 to 15 June.

Australians are increasingly relying on the internet in their everyday lives for banking, shopping, education and communication. It is, therefore, important that they are able to use the internet in a secure and confident manner. The government has established a range of initiatives to raise the awareness of Australian internet users about the importance of cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online.

Rebecca Buksh is Cordelta's Security Practice lead. “In today’s day and age, there are endless number of devices we can and do connect to the internet - no one can afford to ignore being secure on the internet. While Cordelta focuses on how to provide security solutions for companies and government agencies, we also want to remind everyone not to forget about  staying smart online both at home and work.,” cautions Rebecca. 
 
Learn more about how Cordelta can assist your business with security.

We'll be posting additional tips all month long. Click here to read them.

SCAM Watch - http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
Stay Smart Online - http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Australia http://www.cert.gov.au/
Protecting Your Identity - http://www.ag.gov.au/identitysecurity
ThinkUKnow  - http://www.thinkuknow.org.au/
Virtual Global Task Force - http://www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com/
Cyber Smart - http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/

Install and update your security software; set it to scan regularly.
Turn on automatic updates on all your software, particularly your operating system and applications.
Use strong passwords and different passwords for different uses.
Stop and think before you click on links and attachments.
Take care when transacting online – research the supplier and use a safe payment method.
Only download "apps" from reputable publishers and read all permission requests.
Regularly check your privacy settings on social networking sites.
Stop and think before you post any photos or financial information online.
Talk with your child about staying safe online, including on their smartphone or mobile device.
Report or talk to someone if you feel uncomfortable or threatened online –  download the Government's Cybersafety Help 
Button.