Staying secure online during back-to-school

Parents are being urged to be vigilant while shopping online for school essentials this month, with back-to-school shopping opening up opportunities for cybercriminals to strike.

Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP said in their relentless efforts to steal money and data from Australians, cybercriminals will target busy families preparing for the 2021 school year.

“While parents are shopping online for back-to-school supplies, cybercriminals are shopping around for their next victim,” Assistant Minister Hastie said.

“The internet has revolutionised shopping, and cybercriminals continue to revolutionise their craft.”

“Parents can reduce the risk of becoming victims of cybercrime by taking steps such as only purchasing items from trusted sellers, being aware of fake retailers, and always using secure payment methods.”

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) leads the Australian Government’s operational efforts to boost the nation’s cyber resilience and make Australia the most secure place to connect online. 

Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre, Ms Abigail Bradshaw CSC, encouraged Australians to access the ACSC’s updated guidance, published as part of the ongoing cyber security campaign. 

“Australians must be alert to opportunistic cybercriminals who are seeking to exploit the expected surge in Australians purchasing products online for school,” Ms Bradshaw said.

“Our advice is designed to be quick to read and simple to apply and this updated guidance is designed to help Australians avoid the risks associated with shopping online.”

For tips on how to strengthen your cyber defences, visit: cyber.gov.au.

Cybercrime can be reported through ReportCyber which is managed by the ACSC on behalf of law enforcement agencies, providing a single online portal for individuals and businesses to report cyber incidents.