Are You Making These NDIS Online Security Mistakes? It’s an important question, and in fact, the truth is, these mistakes are incredibly common and easy to make. In today’s digital world, we rely on online platforms, apps, and emails to manage nearly everything, including essential parts of our NDIS plan. This makes NDIS online security more important than ever.
At Permalink Support Services, we believe that feeling confident about your NDIS online security is a vital skill. We call this “digital confidence”. As your partners, we’re committed to helping you manage your plan confidently, with the knowledge to stay safe and secure.
We’ve talked about this empowerment in many of our guides from Navigate the NDIS with Permalink Support Services to Understanding the NDIS with Permalink for Autism and NDIS Plan Management: Unlocking Its Full Potential. Each article focuses on building confidence, control, and independence and online safety is part of that same journey.
Ultimately, your privacy is our priority. For this reason, let’s explore common NDIS online security risks and the simple steps you can take to stay safe.
NDIS Online Security Mistake #1: Using Weak or Reused Passwords
To begin with, it’s tempting to reuse one password, but like using one key for everything, it risks all your accounts. Consequently, if a scammer gets that one key, they have access to everything.
- The Safer Step: Create a unique and strong password for every important account (specifically, MyGov, myplace, and your email). This is the first step in good NDIS online security.
- How to do it: A strong password is long. Forget complex symbols and instead think of a long phrase.
- For instance, P@ssword1 is weak.
- On the other hand, MyDogMaxLovesCarrots! is strong.
This is much easier for you to remember and yet almost impossible for a scammer to guess.
If you’ve read our blog NDIS Participant Portal (myplace): How to Navigate, you’ll understand how important login protection is for managing your plan safely online.
NDIS Online Security Mistake #2: Trusting Phishing Emails
Next, have you ever received an email that looks like it’s from the NDIS, MyGov, or your bank, claiming “your account will be suspended” or “you have an urgent message”? Scammers use this “phishing” tactic in order to threaten your NDIS online security and subsequently trick you into clicking a bad link or giving away your password.
- The Safer Step: Therefore, a key part of NDIS online security is to always be suspicious of urgent or threatening messages.
- What to look for:
- First, they ask for your password, PIN, or bank details. (A real organisation will NEVER ask for this in an email).
- Second, the link doesn’t go to an official website (you can hover your mouse over it to check).
- Third, the sender’s email address looks strange or misspelled.
- What to do: Above all, DO NOT CLICK. DO NOT REPLY. Delete the message. If you are worried it might be real, instead go to the official website (like my.gov.au) by typing the address yourself into your browser, or use the official app.
We cover safe communication tips like this in Support Coordinator: How to Find the Right One in 2025, where we discuss how to recognise genuine service providers and avoid misleading contacts. The same awareness applies to online messages and emails.
NDIS Online Security Mistake #3: Not Securing Your Devices
Furthermore, your phone and computer are gateways to your personal life. If you step away in a public place (like a café or library) or even at home, an unlocked device is, needless to say, an open invitation and a major risk to your NDIS online security.
- The Safer Step: Treat your devices exactly like you treat your wallet.
- How to do it:
- First, always use a PIN, password, fingerprint, or face lock on your phone and computer.
- Additionally, keep your apps and operating system (like iOS, Android, or Windows) updated. These updates often contain critical security fixes that protect your NDIS online security.
We often talk about safety and confidence in other areas of life too. For instance, in Maintaining Your Home Life with Permalink Support Services and Life Skills: How to Prepare for Real-World Challenges, we show how developing good habits, whether online or offline, helps you stay independent and protected.
NDIS Online Security Mistake #4: Using Unsafe Public Wi-Fi
Another common mistake is using that free Wi-Fi at the shopping centre or café. While it’s convenient, it’s a major risk to your NDIS online security because it’s often not secure. Scammers can sometimes “listen in” on these open networks and, as a result, see the information you’re sending.
- The Safer Step: For this reason, avoid logging into important accounts on public Wi-Fi. This is a simple rule for better NDIS online security.
- How to do it: Of course, it’s fine for browsing the news, but instead, wait until you are on a trusted network (like your home Wi-Fi or your phone’s mobile data) to do your banking or access your MyGov or NDIS portals. If you must use a website, always look for the padlock icon and “https://” in the address bar, which means your connection is secure.
If you’ve read NDIS Transport in 2025: How to Travel with Confidence or Community and Social Participation in 2025: How to Stay Connected, you’ll know that safe travel includes not just where you go, but how you connect digitally while you’re there.
NDIS Online Security Mistake #5: Ignoring App Permissions
Finally, when you download a new app, it often asks for permission to access your contacts, location, photos, or microphone. In fact, many apps ask for more than they really need to work.
- The Safer Step: In other words, be the boss of your data.
- How to do it: Before you click “Allow,” ask yourself, “Does this app really need this information?” (for example, “Why does a puzzle game need my location?”). This is good practice for your general privacy, which is part of your overall NDIS online security. You can almost always say “no” or, alternatively, check your phone’s “Privacy” settings later to review and turn off permissions for apps you’ve already installed.
We also talk about control and choice in our blogs like Choice and Control: How to Have it Your Own Way and NDIS Goal Setting in 2025: How to Achieve More Every Day. Knowing what you’re agreeing to, whether it’s an app permission or a support service, helps you stay in charge.
Our Commitment to Your Confidence at Permalink Support Services
In conclusion, at Permalink Support Services, we know that managing your NDIS online security can seem tricky. However, fixing these common mistakes is the most important step toward strong NDIS online security and building your digital confidence.
Ultimately, taking control of your NDIS online security is a powerful way to protect yourself and your plan. And as always, if you have questions or concerns, we are here to support you.
This aligns with our ongoing commitment in every blog from Navigating PACE Plans and Claiming SIL to Empowering Lives: Inside Permalink Support Services, to give participants the tools they need to live safely, confidently, and independently.
Together, we can help you build digital confidence, strengthen your NDIS journey, and keep your information safe every step of the way.
Furthermore, learn more about our services today!
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📅 Coming Next Week:
In our next blog, we’ll explain how to keep your NDIS documents safe, organised, and easy to access, whether you’re using a phone, tablet, or computer.