Staying Safe Online

These days, much of life happens online. And if you are blind, deafblind, or have low vision, the digital world isn’t always easy to use. Some websites or devices can be hard to navigate if they aren’t designed to be accessible. How easy it feels often depends on how comfortable you are with technology and the tools you use.

As the world becomes more digital, learning to use these tools can really help. At the same time, it’s important to know how to protect yourself and stay safe online. Accessibility matters, but security is just as important, especially because the internet connects you to many people you don’t know, and there’s a vast amount of information out there. Behind the screen, sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s real or safe. Some messages are scams, made to trick you into sharing personal details or clicking on harmful links.

Our new ‘Staying safe online’ series will share simple, practical tips to help you spot warning signs, protect your information, and feel more confident online.

Remember, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s always okay to pause, check, and ask someone you trust. If you want to learn more, please visit Vision Australia’s website for their helpful guide on understanding email scams for screen reader users. You can also find more helpful tips on RNIB’s website. 

How to spot a scam email or message

Have you ever received a message or email saying, “Your parcel delivery failed because you weren’t home. You need to confirm your address or personal details to receive your parcel”? If you’re expecting a parcel, this kind of message doesn’t always seem suspicious. It can feel urgent and familiar, so some people click the link without thinking twice. Scam emails and messages are meant to trick you. They might ask for personal information, try to get you to click on harmful links, or even ask for money. Some can look very real, so it helps to know the signs.

Signs to watch for:

Spelling or grammar mistakes: Scam messages often have odd wording or poor grammar. For those who use screen reader, listen for strange or unexpected pronunciation. If something sounds off, it might be a misspelling. If you use a Braille display, that can help you spot spelling mistakes too.
Generic greetings: Be wary of messages that say “Dear customer” or “Hello friend” instead of using your name.
A sense of urgency: Messages that say things like “Your account will be closed today” or “Act now to avoid a fine” are designed to panic you into acting quickly.
Unusual email addresses or phone numbers: Always check where the message is coming from. Scam messages often come from addresses that don’t match the company’s real contact details. You can double-check by visiting the official website or asking someone you trust to help you check.
Unexpected attachments: They could contain harmful software.
Phone numbers from other countries: If you get a message or call from an international number (New Zealand’s code is +64, Australia’s is +61) and you’re not expecting it, be careful.

What to do if you get a scam email or message

Don’t click on any links or open attachments.
Don’t reply to the message or answer the call.
Report it. Let your email or phone provider know, or use a local scam reporting service.
Delete it. Once reported, remove the message from your inbox.
Check with the company or real person. If you’re unsure, go to the company’s official website or call using a number you trust.

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Keeping your personal information safe

When you’re online, it’s important to protect your personal information, just like you would in the real world. You wouldn’t give your phone number or address to a stranger on the street, so don’t share those details with people online. Remember, not everyone online is who they say they are. Some people may try to trick you into giving away your personal information. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and don’t respond.

These details include your full name, date of birth, phone number, address, email, and bank details. Be cautious on social media, dating apps, and online shopping sites. If someone you don’t know asks for personal information, that’s a warning sign.

Use strong passwords to help you manage your accounts safely. Be careful with emails and messages that ask you to click on links or share private details as these could be scams. If you’re unsure whether something is safe, talk to someone you trust.

Remember, your personal information belongs to you. Think twice before sharing anything online. Staying private keeps you protected.

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Keep your devices updated

One of the easiest ways to protect your personal information is to keep your devices updated. This includes your smartphone, tablet, computer, and even smart home devices like Alexa. Updates don’t just add new features, they also fix known security problems that hackers could use to access your information.

Hackers often look for weaknesses in old software. If your device isn’t up to date, it can be easier for someone to steal your personal details, like passwords or banking information. Updates are designed to close these gaps and add extra layers of protection to help keep your information safe.

Updating your device is usually quick and simple. Most updates take only a few minutes, and many devices can be set to update automatically. You’ll often get a message telling you an update is available and it’s a good idea to install it as soon as you can.

Updates can also make your device run more smoothly and fix bugs that slow it down.

Staying safe doesn’t have to be hard. Keeping your devices updated is a small step that can make a big difference.

If you’re not sure how to update your device, ask someone you trust or contact your service provider for help.

For more information on securing your mobile device, visit Cyber Safety NZ Website.

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Charging your phone safely

Sometime people charge their mobile or tablets in public places like cafés, airports, or libraries. But did you know that using an unknown USB charger or port could put your data at risk? Hackers can use a method called juice jacking to steal information through shared charging stations.

When you plug in your phone, you might see an option to share data or charge only. Always choose charge only. This lets your phone take power without sharing any personal information. You don’t need to turn your phone off – just make sure it’s not set to share data. 

How to check your phone settings:

On Android:

When you plug in your phone, you may see a message like “Charging this device via USB.” Tap it and choose “Charge only” or “No data transfer.” 

On iPhone: When you plug into a charger that’s also connected to another device, you might see “Trust This Computer?” Always choose “Don’t Trust” unless it’s your own computer.

To stay even safer, use your own charger or a portable power bank instead of public USB ports. And remember, keeping your device software up to date helps protect against new threats too. 

Charging safely is a small step that helps keep your personal information private – wherever you go.

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Shop online safely

Buying online is convenient, but it can come with hidden risks. Fake websites, phishing ads, and suspicious sale prices can trick you into giving personal information or paying for something that isn’t real. 

How to shop safely: 

Use trusted websites only: Stick to well-known stores or brands. Look for “https” in the web address for secure pages.

Be careful with ads and links: Some social media or website ads appear to be from brands you know but may be phishing attempts. Only follow links from official websites.

Check suspicious deals: If a sale price looks too good to be true, compare it with the official website or contact the store.

Keep devices updated: Make sure your phone, tablet, or computer has the latest updates and security settings.

Use secure payment methods: Prefer credit cards or trusted online payment services, and avoid public Wi-Fi when entering sensitive information.
Preview your order: Check your cart, delivery details, and total cost before completing the purchase.

Ask for help if needed: Many stores offer phone or chat support if the checkout process is tricky.

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Staying smart and safe on social media and AI

Social media and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to grow, and they will affect our lives in big ways. You can benefit from learning how to use these tools safely and thoughtfully. There are simple steps we can take to help our community stay healthy, safe, and well-informed.

1. Prioritise in-person relationships
Humans need real-life connections to stay healthy. AI chatbots can feel like friends, but they are no substitute for people in your life. Spending time with friends, family, and communities outside of screen time is very important.
2. Watch out for misinformation
Not everything online is true. Social media and AI can spread false information quickly, including health advice. Seek guidance, check facts, and talk to a support person or professional you trust.
3. Be mindful of data collection
Many apps collect data about users for ads or other purposes. Seek to understand what information apps collect and who is benefiting from it. Review privacy settings and choose apps with strong protections. Terms and conditions often come in small print. Use your screen reader or voice-over technology to check carefully rather than agreeing without reading.
4. Use AI thoughtfully
AI can help with brainstorming or learning, but it shouldn’t replace real interactions or independent thinking. Question AI-generated content and treat it as a tool, not a source of truth.
5. Manage screen time
Our brains are sensitive to social rewards, which makes social media feel addictive. Limiting screen time helps prevent fatigue, stress, and disrupted sleep. Make sure to balance screen time with sport, leisure, and other offline activities.

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What your browser extensions can see

We often use browser extensions to make the web easier to use. A browser extension is a small tool you add to your internet browser, like Chrome or Edge. It can help with tasks such as reading text aloud, changing colours, or blocking ads.

You may not always notice when you are using them. Some are added once and run quietly in the background, so it is easy to forget they are there. These tools support reading, navigation, and everyday tasks. But some extensions can also access more of your information than you might expect.

Step 1: Check what extensions you have

You can check your extensions inside your browser settings.

 In Google Chrome:
Type chrome://extensions into the address bar and press Enter.
In Microsoft Edge:
Type edge://extensions into the address bar and press Enter.
In Mozilla Firefox:
  Press Alt + F (or open the menu), then go to Add-ons and themes, then Extensions.
In Safari:
On iPhone or iPad: go to Settings > Safari > Extensions.
On Mac: open Safari, then go to Safari > Settings > Extensions.

You only need to follow the steps for the browser you use.

If you are unsure which one you use, it is usually the app you open to go on the internet.

Step 2: Remove ones you do not use 

If you see an extension, you do not need or do not remember adding, you may consider removing it.

Before removing, take a moment to check what it does. Some extensions support things like reading, colours, or logging in. If you are unsure, you can turn it off first and see if anything changes, or ask someone you trust to help you check. 

Step 3: Check what access they have
 
Select an extension and look at its permissions. Be cautious if it can read all your data or track your browsing.

Step 4: Only keep tools you trust
 Try to install extensions from well-known sources. Avoid tools that ask for more access than they need. 

Step 5: Keep things up to date

Make sure your browser and extensions are updated. Updates can fix safety issues and improve performance.

Taking a few minutes to review your extensions can help you stay in control of your information and feel more confident online.

    
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