Browsing safely

How do you browse safely?

Install Anti-Virus software

Make sure you have Anti-Virus software installed and running and that your device’s operating system and applications are regularly patched. This is your first line of defence in protecting your device. Malware often uses known vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications to install itself on a device.

Manage your social media privacy settings

By default, nothing you post on social media is private. You should regularly check the privacy settings on each site to confirm that they are set appropriately. As new features are enabled by a social media site, new privacy settings will become available. You need to check regularly to find them and set them to an appropriate level.

Protect your browsing history on shared computers

Most browsers have a 'private browsing' mode that deletes cookies, temporary internet files and browsing history after you close the window so others who use the computer after you won't be able to see what sites you visited.

Be careful with quizzes, games and surveys on social media sites

Often these will ask for access to your profile information before loading. While there may be a legitimate need to access some of your profile (for example, accessing your contacts list to post results on your timeline) but malicious apps can ask to access everything in your profile.

Be aware of fake upgrade messages

Malicious web pages may tell you that an upgrade is required or a plugin needs to be installed when you attempt to load them. A website hosting video files might tell you that you need to download a 'codec', a 'player', or a 'browser update' to play a video – but that download may actually install malware.

Don’t download software like 'key generators' or 'cracks' to try and bypass software licenses

More often than not, they will contain malicious software.

Monitor connections to make sure they are encrypted when you expect them to be.

When you connect to a website, the connection will either be unencrypted or encrypted. Keep an eye on the padlock icon in the URL bar to be sure!

Most banking sites, common social media sites and email sites should use encrypted connections. Generally, if you connect to an encrypted site without any warning messages and a padlock is displayed on the browser’s address bar, then a signed certificate has been used. You can click on the padlock symbol to find out information about the certificate.

Additional resources

Need additional help?

If you require additional assistance, please contact the IT Support Centre on 9514 2222.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.