News
The recent data breach affecting Victorian government schools, exposing student names, emails, and passwords across thousands of accounts, reminds us how vital cyber vigilance is for every school community.
At Fintona, proactive steps such as regular security audits, mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA), and staff-wide training, keep us ahead of such risks, empowering students, staff, and families alike. Staying cyber safe is a shared responsibility – with email, messaging apps, and online platforms now part of everyday life, knowing how to spot and respond to digital risks builds resilience for all.
One simple rule to remember is: ‘Think before you click.’ Many cyber scams rely on urgency or curiosity to catch people off guard. If a message asks you to act quickly, share personal information, or log in via a link, pause and take a closer look.
Useful Tips and Tricks for Staying Safe Online
- Check before you click: Hover over links to see where they really go, and be cautious of unexpected attachments or login requests.
- Be alert to red flags: Poor spelling, unusual sender addresses, or messages that create pressure such as ‘act now’ or ‘your account will be locked’, are common warning signs.
- Protect your passwords: Use strong, unique passwords and never reuse the same password across multiple sites. Remember: ‘Your password is like your toothbrush – don’t share it’ says James Burdan, ICT Manager.
- Stop, think, and verify: If something doesn’t feel right, verify the message through another channel before responding. ‘When in doubt, check it out.’
- Report suspicious activity: Reporting a suspicious message helps protect everyone. Even if you’re unsure, it’s better to report it than ignore it.
Cyber safety isn’t about being perfect online, it’s about building good habits supported by our school’s ongoing measures like daily patching and incident response planning. By staying alert, slowing down, and remembering to ‘think before you click’, we all contribute to a safer digital environment.
