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Checklist: Preparing your loved ones for a safe and cyber-secure Christmas 

By Rio Heral

Caring for your loved ones during the festive season involves more than just ensuring they’re warm and well-fed. Cybercriminals ramp up their phishing scams at Christmas, targeting those who may not be as tech-savvy. Use this checklist to help your loved one stay safe online and enjoy a worry-free holiday season. 

1. Talk about online safety 

  • Explain the risks of phishing emails, phone scams, and fake websites. 
  • Emphasise the importance of pausing before clicking on links or sharing personal information. 

2. Check their email settings 

  • Make sure spam filters are enabled to catch suspicious emails. 
  • Review their inbox and show them examples of legitimate and fake emails. 

3. Teach them to hover over links 

  • Show them how to check where a link leads by hovering over it with the mouse. 
  • Encourage them to type website addresses directly into the browser for trusted sites. 

4. Warn about urgent requests 

  • Let them know scammers often use urgent language, such as “your account will be locked.” 
  • Remind them to stay calm and verify requests with official sources before taking action. 

5. Prepare them for phone scams 

  • Explain that legitimate organisations will not ask for passwords or payment details over the phone. 
  • Teach them to hang up and call the company back using a trusted number. 

6. Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) 

  • Help them enable MFA on important accounts to provide an extra layer of protection. 
  • Show them how to use authentication apps or codes sent via text. 

7. Update their devices 

  • Check that their computer, phone, and other devices have the latest software updates. 
  • Install antivirus software and make sure it’s running. 

8. Create a “suspicious email” folder 

  • Set up a folder for emails that seem suspicious, so they can ask you or someone they trust to review them. 

9. Discuss the dangers of too-good-to-be-true offers 

  • Warn them about emails promising big discounts or free gifts. 
  • Encourage them to only shop on trusted websites and avoid clicking on promotional links. 

10. Help them recognise safe attachments 

  • Explain that unexpected attachments, even if they look harmless (like holiday e-cards), can carry malware. 
  • Encourage them to double-check with the sender before opening attachments. 

11. Make reporting easy 

  • Show them how to report phishing emails to their email provider. 
  • If they suspect a scam, encourage them to share it with you or another trusted person. 

12. Monitor their accounts together 

  • Regularly review their bank accounts and online subscriptions for unusual activity. 
  • Set up alerts for transactions over a certain amount to catch potential fraud early. 

Stay cyber-safe this Christmas 

By helping your loved one follow these steps, you can protect them from phishing scams and online threats this holiday season. With a little preparation, they can focus on enjoying the festive cheer while staying safe and secure.

For more information on types of scams and warning signs head to Scamwatch here https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/. Scamwatch is led by the Australian Government National Anti-Scam Centre . Here you can also subscribe to Scamwatch scam alert emails to stay alert.

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