Staying Safe and Secure Online — Especially after the Recent Qantas Hack

It goes without saying that the internet remains an incredible way to connect with people, save time, do research, learn new things, build & grow businesses, etc.

Staying safe and secure online though is more important than ever.

In light of the recent “16 billion Apple, Facebook, Google and other password leaks”, and the “QANTAS data breach of 6 million users’ details” I’m writing a quick reminder about some of the more basic ways to help stay safe and secure online. The below reminders are for individual people — it does not go into all the things a business should be doing.

Please note: If your business does not have a Cyber Security team, or a 3rd party expert, now would be the time to be organising this.

“What makes this trend particularly alarming is its scale and coordination, with fresh reports that Qantas is the latest victim” of a hack, said Mark Thomas, Australia director of security services for cyber security firm Arctic Wolf.

The below reminders are ‘general reminders’ only. I recommend working with your preferred Cyber Security expert to ensure you are as safe as you can be.

Below are the basic-level general reminders:

  • Write a list of all the computers, tablets and mobile phones you use. This list could be created in an Excel file or MS Word doc (or something similar). Then check that every single computer and device you use is fully security updated, including all Apps.
  • Keep the above-mentioned list somewhere safe. Refer to it regularly and then update your computers and devices on a regular basis. To remind yourself, schedule this in your preferred scheduling tool or calendar. 
  • Backup, backup, backup! Backup ALL your data on your computers and devices regularly. Imagine what would happen if your computers and/or devices get hacked, data deleted and/or they break down AND you don’t have your data within them backed up?
  • If there are Apps on your devices that you never use, it is a good idea to delete them.
  • Use the Have I Been Pwned website: Use it to search each email address you use to login to ANY website. Do this to check if the websites have been breached (and MORESO to see if your logins have been breached). If so, change your login passwords for each website ASAP.
  • You can also use the ‘Notify Me’ tool with the Have I Been Pwned website.

This sure is a long list. Please bear with it. Here’s the second-half of the list:

  • Change your email address passwords regularly.
  • Make sure your internet Web Browsers are up-to-date
  • Make sure all your website(s) are being security updated and backed-up regularly. You DO NOT want yourself or a website visitor getting a Ransomware virus or any other BAD thing!
  • Use software like Malwarebytes 
  • If you don’t already, start using a Password Manager like BitWarden or 1Password or LastPass to store all your passwords safely
  • Make sure you also have 2FA (2 Factor Authentication) and ‘login timeout’ setup on any Password Manager program you use.
  • Pay for online storage where you keep encrypted copies of important data in an immutable format (this means nothing can change the data, unless authorised) 
  • Start using 2FA wherever it is offered — OR use biometrics (which is considered to be even better).
  • Make sure either 2FA or biometics is set up when logging into your bank accounts 
  • It is also worth reading this article fully. 
  • If you are an Apple user, definitely read this article.

If this all seems too hard, feel free to contact us and we can work with you to start planning your online security strategy for 2025 and beyond.

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