How to identify cyber threats
Being aware of suspicious activity including emails, phone calls or text messages and implementing these measures will be key to protecting your information from a cyber-attack.
My Health Record, my health app and Cyber Security
My Health Record and my health app are two safe and secure digital platforms where your key health information can be stored and accessed online at any time, provided you have an internet connection.
Both platforms are run and maintained by the Australian Digital Health Agency on behalf of the Australian Federal Government.
The Australian Digital Health Agency (the Agency) takes online security seriously and are continuously guarding your private information to make sure it is safe.
It is equally important that the owner (you) of the information takes responsibility for looking after your online security.
This fact sheet provides you with information to help you keep on top of your online security.
Who can access information on My Health Record and my health app?
The information stored is available to you, and your healthcare providers at any time, including in an emergency. You have control over your information and can restrict a document and choose which healthcare organisations can view it at any time.
How do I ensure the information in My Health Record and my health app is safe and secure?
- Use a strong passphrase, and a secret question to access your record.
- Check your My Health Record access log each time you access your records and report anything that looks suspicious. You can contact the Agency via a number of different methods here: contact us
- Set strong privacy settings on your accounts, and physical devices.
- Allow automatic software updates to your devices and applications to make sure they are up to date with the latest security measures.
- Manually enter your sign in details. Note: The Agency will never contact you to request sign-in details via email or over the phone. If you receive an email or a phone call asking for this information it is a scam.
- Set up Two-Factor authentication (2FA) where possible. 2FA requires a user to provide their identity in two different ways before granting access to their information. Example:
- Enter your password, this will trigger a unique code being sent to your email address or phone number.
- Enter the unique code to get access to your account.
How to identify cyber threats
Cybercriminals are always looking to access your information for their own financial gain.
To protect yourself from their malicious tactics, it’s important to stay vigilant and take steps to secure your online activities.
When dealing with personal matters online, the following considerations are important:
- Do not open attachments or links in emails, text messages or from social media unless you are confident, they are coming from a trusted source.
- Government departments and other trusted organisations such as your bank will never ask you to share your password or require remote access to your device. If this happens you are likely being scammed, do not respond to a request like this.
- If you accidentally provide your username and password to a cybercriminal through a scam website or over the phone, immediately attempt to update your username and password and report it to your service provider.
- Stay up to date with the latest scams by visiting Home | Scamwatch
- Carefully consider information that you are sharing on social media, as cybercriminals can use information you have publicly posted in their scams and cyber attacks.
- For more information on cyber security visit Cyber security for digital health privacy
Infosheets kindly reviewed by Australian Digital Health Agency
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