Security Watch- Cyber Security Awareness Week - 6 June 2010
Note it down in your Outlook calendar; the sixth of June marks the start of National Cyber Security Awareness Week.

Backed by the Australian Government, National Cyber Security Awareness Week raises (you guessed it) awareness about online security risks and the simple steps you can take to stay out of harm's way.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, almost 6 million people are exposed to scams during any given year. More than 800,000 Australians fall victim to online fraud, with the ABS estimating a whopping $1 billion being swindled away by cyber crims.

With Cyber Security Awareness Week just around the corner, it's probably time to re-evaluate your online habits and what you could be doing to better protect yourself.

To get you going, here are six tips from Stay Smart Online to help you beef up your online security:

1. Install security software and update it regularly.
2. Turn on automatic updates so that all your software receives the latest fixes.
3. Get a stronger password and change it at least twice a year.
4. Stop and think before you click on links or attachments.
5. Stop and think before you share any personal or financial information about yourself, your friends or family.
6. Know what your kids are doing online, ensure they understand how to stay safe and encourage them to report anything suspicious.

Learn more about Cyber Security Awareness Week by heading to www.staysmartonline.gov.au.