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Why is privacy and security such a big deal?

It might not seem like it’s that important but think about it like your house. You wouldn’t leave your front door open and unlocked (hopefully you don’t!) because then anyone could come in and take whatever they wanted.

It’s the same with your personal information. You don’t want just anyone to be able to come to your profile and take whatever information they want. Some people will use that information to take advantage of you or try to get something else out of you by blackmailing you.

How do I check my privacy settings?

Below are some instructions on how to check the privacy settings of the social media apps, software and devices you use. If you want to know how to change settings on a device or platform that isn’t listed below, you should be able to find them on the company’s website.

How can I make sure I have good online security?

  • Set strong unique passwords and regularly update them: Don’t use the same password to log into your different accounts.
  • Don’t share your password: Sharing your passwords puts you in a vulnerable position and puts your personal information and data at risk.
  • Keep your apps and software up to date: New app and software updates are designed to keep your data secure.
  • Before accepting someone you don’t know on social media do some checks: It’s easy for someone to pretend to be someone else online, check to see if the person is who they say they are and have a plan on what to do if you feel uncomfortable.
  • Regularly delete your cookies: The process is slightly different depending on what browser you use. Instructions should be available on your browsers support page.
  • Double check if webpages or apps asking for your personal information, are legit: You can find out who owns the domain, their contact information and how long the website has been operating using whois.domaintools.com(external link) or dnc.org.nz(external link). If the website was recently set-up or is hidden behind a private domain registration, be cautious about placing an order.
  • Look for a padlock symbol next to the URL in your browser or check the start of the URL starts with https:// rather than http://. This means that the connection from your browser to the web server is encrypted and no-one else can copy information you send. Don’t submit any personal information, such as passwords and payment information on a page that doesn’t have this.

I didn’t find what I was looking for

For more information visit Netsafe: