October 2025 marks Cyber Security Awareness Month – a perfect time to strengthen your online safety skills and learn how to protect your personal information.
At VisAbility, we’re proud to support the Act Now, Stay Secure campaign, to help our community feel confident navigating the digital world.
To celebrate, we’ll be running a series of free Cyber Security Workshops. Supported by the Department of Home Affairs, these workshops are designed specifically for people with vision impairment. You’ll learn simple, practical steps to protect your devices, data, and privacy online.
Click here to register your interest.
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Here are 8 key actions you can start taking right now to improve your online security:
1. Use Multifactor Authentication
As more services like banking and shopping now require multifactor authentication (MFA), it’s important to understand how it works.
MFA adds an extra layer of protection on top of your password, making it much harder for someone else to access your accounts. After entering your password, you’ll need to verify your identity using a second method, such as:
- Email or SMS codes sent to your device
- Authenticator apps like Microsoft or Google Authenticator
- Biometrics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition
This means even if someone gets hold of your password, they still won’t be able to log in without the second verification step.
💡 Tip: Authenticator apps refresh codes every 30 seconds, so keep your device handy when logging in to avoid delays.
2. Create Strong Passphrases
Strong passwords are essential, but have you considered using a passphrase? A passphrase is a combination of random words that are much harder to guess than a traditional password.
Think of a passphrase as a digital key – simple for you to recall, but tough for anyone else to crack.
💡 Tip: Avoid using personal information in your passphrase that someone could easily guess. If remembering multiple passphrases for different accounts is tricky, consider using a password manager to keep them safe and accessible.
3. Keep Your Software Updated
Any device or app that connects to the internet should always be kept up to date. Why? Updates often include important fixes that keep your data and devices secure.
If you use assistive technology, consider a service maintenance agreement or subscription to make sure your software stays current. Updates don’t just fix problems — they can also bring new features that make your tech more accessible and easier to use.
💡 Tip: Turn on automatic updates so you never miss important security improvements or accessibility upgrades.
4. Check Privacy and Location Settings
Before downloading a new app, take a moment to check what it’s asking for. Does your talking book app really need your location? Does your social media app need to know your political or religious beliefs?
If you didn’t pay for the app, ask yourself – what are you giving away in return? Sometimes, it could be your personal data.
💡 Tip: Review your app permissions regularly and turn off access to information that isn’t needed. The less data you share, the more control you keep.
5. Protect Your Wi-Fi
Many assistive devices (wearables, smart canes, talking gadgets) need constant data through Wi-Fi or your phone’s hotspot. When you set these up, think about the network name and password – could someone guess them?
Avoid using your name or address; pick a strong, unique password or passphrase. Also ask yourself: does this device need to be connected 24/7, or only when I’m using it? Turning off Wi-Fi or hotspot when it’s not needed lowers your risk.
💡 Tip: Use a long passphrase for your Wi-Fi, enable your router’s security (WPA2/WPA3), and switch off hotspot/Wi-Fi when you’re not using the device.
6. Share What You Learn
Education and awareness are key to staying safe online. Have you come across a scam, security trick, or online experience that others should know about? Sharing your knowledge helps protect not just you, but your friends, family, and community too.
Let’s look out for each other and keep the online world a safer place for everyone. 💬
💡 Tip: Talk to someone you trust about cyber safety this week — sharing even one small tip could help someone avoid a scam or protect their personal information.
7. Learn to Identify Scams
If a message or email feels too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use fake emails or text messages pretending to be from trusted companies.
Always remember the three golden rules:
Stop. Check. Protect.
Check for spelling or grammar mistakes, or suspicious email addresses. Never click on pop-up ads or links from unknown senders.
💡 Tip: When in doubt, don’t click. Report suspicious messages to Scamwatch to help protect yourself and others.
8. Report Concerns
If something online just doesn’t feel right, take action. You can report concerns to the Australian Signals Directorate, which offers support and guidance if you’ve been affected by a cybercrime.
Even if you haven’t been directly affected, you can still report scams via the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch — helping protect yourself and others in the community.
💡 Tip: Keep a record of suspicious emails, messages, or websites before reporting — it makes it easier for authorities to take action.
Join Our Cyber Security Workshops
Our upcoming Cyber Security Workshops will explore each of these topics in more detail, with hands-on demonstrations and support tailored to people living with vision impairment.
Click here to register your interest
Together, we can make the online world a safer place for everyone.
Act Now. Stay Secure. Stay Connected.