Chances are you’ll be sorting out your tax return in the coming months and if like many you’ll be doing it online there’s a few things to watch out for.
Cyber criminals love tax time. Like any other big event they’ll use it to try and trick you into visiting fake websites hoping to steal information so AVG Australia has provided the following tips to help you safely file your tax return this year:
- Use the end of financial year to review your personal or business online security systems to ensure your protection is fully and automatically up to date – on all computers, phones, other mobile technologies, plus USB and other memory devices from which you will gather, store and send your financial information.
- Do your homework by reviewing the ATO and SCAMWatch online security pages.
- In communicating with your tax advisor, consider creating a password protected Zip file of your financial data.
- Always open your e-Tax filing directly from the ATO’s site (www.ato.gov.au); never click through to the site from an email invitation. The filing of tax returns directly via the ATO’s e-Tax service is secure.
- Always use a trusted WiFi or Ethernet connection from your home or office to file your tax return – never use a public WiFi without a firewall in place and Internet security installed.
- Be cautious of anything that you haven’t directly requested and only respond to those communications you’ve initiated.
- Delete all related emails from your server once you’ve filed your return.
- While the ATO uses emails and SMS for service alerts, it will never request the confirmation, update or disclosure of confidential personal details. If you receive suspect communication from ‘the ATO’ or any other ‘government department’, do not click on any links in an email or answer phone questions. Report it immediately to the ATO
AVG (AU/NZ) has a comprehensive range of security tips on its web site at http://www.avg.com.au/
