With tax time in full swing, it’s important to keep your business secure online and put systems and processes in place to help reduce the risk of a cyber event. You should also plan for what you’ll do if a cyber-attack occurs.
Every Australian business – large or small – is a target for cyber-attacks. There are practical steps you can take to make your business more cyber secure. However, to be effective, you need to make these steps business habits. They include safeguarding accounts, protecting devices and information, and preparing your staff to identify cyber threats.
To help reduce the risk of a cyber breach:
- Run the latest software updates to ensure your operating system and antivirus is current.
- Always access online government services, like myGov, by typing the address into your internet browser yourself.
- If something doesn't seem genuine, don’t engage with it. Visit ato.gov.au/scams to verify or report the contact and see examples of the latest ATO impersonation scams.
- Educate staff on scam and cyber security awareness.
- Always be careful clicking links and providing personally identifiable information. We've removed hyperlinks from all outbound unsolicited SMS, making it easier to identify legitimate SMS messages from us.
- Never give out personal information over social media – we'll never ask you to do this, and we also don't use private messaging. Block the account and send a screenshot of the profile to ReportScams@ato.gov.au.
- Hang up on suspicious phone calls claiming to be from the ATO. Always phone us back on a number you have looked up yourself.
The Australian Signals Directorate is the Australian Government’s leading authority for cyber security advice and help, through the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Visit their website to learn how to protect your business and employeesExternal Link from common cyber security threats faced by Australian businesses.
For more advice about how to stay safe online and protect your information, visit our website.
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