Now, Aussie families surf the web more than ever before. From school and work to leisure time, so much of our waking hours are spent in front of a screen. This growing usage of technology brings plenty of advantages with it. Having so much content available at our fingertips can be a great benefit. It provides kids with learning opportunities that we didn’t have in the past.

However, with the rise of screentime, Aussie families must know how to keep one another safe when surfing the web or streaming online. The threat of cyberattacks exists on all platforms, including online gaming and even legit streaming services.

How can we protect our data and our right to privacy online? Stick with us as we share the top methods to keep your household safe when streaming and gaming online.

Use a VPN to encrypt your network connection

The first measure you should take is to safeguard your home and device network connection. This means setting up a firewall for your network and using a VPN for all streaming and gaming devices. Use VPN on Apple TV and VPN apps for various devices and gaming consoles like XBoxes and PlayStations. Investing in a VPN for your streaming devices can help reduce the risk of your data being visible to snooping third parties.

On top of encrypting your network connections, VPNs also protect your devices against bandwidth throttling, data caps, and extra lengthy loading screens. In other words, gaming or streaming with a VPN will mean less time spent on buffering and reduced risks of fatal lag. Although it may affect your internet speed, so be sure to get the fastest VPN on the market.

Pro tip: installing VPN apps on your devices can be a perfect time to update your network hardware. Investing in a router in which you can install a VPN can add an extra layer of encryption to all the devices you connect to your network. 

Invest in antivirus software for all your streaming devices

Although VPNs can help encrypt your network connection, it’s still possible for persons using a VPN to fall victim to malware. Exposing a device to malware can be as simple as clicking on an unknown link without thinking. It can happen to anybody, and it only takes seconds. 

Robust antivirus software will help reduce the risks of malware running rampant through your files and folders. It will scan web links and web pages in advance. If there are any security vulnerabilities, you will know as soon as you access a web page. If you happen to click on a malicious link, your antivirus software may be able to prevent malware from accessing your device.

Remember to regularly update your antivirus software to give your devices the strongest defence against malware.

Set strong passwords (and don’t share them!)

What’s the most important security measure when it comes to securing your accounts? Nine out of ten people would say their account passwords – and they’re not wrong. Having strong and complex passwords can help reduce the risk of your accounts being accessed by unauthorised parties. With that in mind, why would you give your passwords out to other people?

Yes, now it’s all the rage to share streaming accounts, but it can also be a risky move in more than one way. For starters, our relationships with the people we share our passwords with may change. The last thing any of us want is for our sensitive information to fall into the wrong hands.

If your passwords become public record, then your accounts could be accessed by bad actors. It’s easier to keep your account passwords to yourself and to keep unique and complex passwords for all your different accounts.

Pro tip: remember to update your passwords even when keeping them private. This way, if an outdated password falls into the wrong hands, no one will be able to access your account. You can keep track of your passwords by using a trusted password manager. A good password manager should also recommend secure passwords. Such passwords use an assortment of numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and symbols.

Set up multi-factor authentication on all your accounts

If nine out of ten people say that passwords are the most important security measure for your accounts, chances are that the last person will say ‘MFA’. MFA (or ‘multi-factor authentication’) is the process of verifying an account user by a secure form of identification. MFA can be sending a verification code to your email or your mobile via SMS text, answering security questions like ‘What was your primary school?’ and others. 

Most of your accounts may already be set up with MFA. This security measure has been widely adopted by banks and other organisations across Australia. From Westpac online banking to MyGov, the majority of Australians can expect to use MFA processes at least once or twice a day now.

If you have the option of setting up two-factor or multi-factor authentication on your streaming or gaming accounts, do it. This security measure can be just as effective as it is easy to use.

Speak about the importance of maintaining privacy online

One of the most impactful measures you can take is to speak with your children about the importance of cybersecurity. Now, digital safety education is more vital than ever before. There are plenty of local safety initiatives led by community groups and even by school teachers. These educational initiatives introduce kids to cybersecurity basics, and the importance of protecting personal data online.

However, these educational cybersecurity activities shouldn’t be limited to the classroom. Parents also have a responsibility to make sure their little ones stay safe online. Teach your kids how to use their devices. Make sure your children are aware of the dangers of sharing their personal information online. Doing so will help your kids to take control of their security and safety when using the internet.

Keep your family safe when streaming and gaming

The best tip we can give you is to stay on top of all the cyberthreats. A constant in all the tips we’ve provided today is that digital threats evolve. Do not forget to update all your devices and software you use daily. Make sure you continue to learn how to protect yourself online. So, stay updated when it comes to all things digital.