How is my information kept safe on myGov?
How is my information kept safe on myGov
What's coming up?
myGov is designed with your security and safety in mind, so it's always safe to access your personal information once you've logged into a service linked with myGov.
For your peace of mind, this activity goes over the ways myGov keeps your personal details safe.
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You need a password and a code
Most websites just require you to sign in with a username, such as an email address, and a password. This is safe for most things, but if someone guesses or finds out your password, they can get access.
myGov also requires you to enter a unique code each time you sign in. That code is sent to your mobile phone. It's safer because this adds another step to the process of confirming your identity during the sign in process.
eSafety tip
Follow these simple steps to protect your myGov sign in details:
- Don't share your myGov sign in details with anyone
- Make sure your myGov password is different to your other online accounts
- Don't tell anyone the password for the email account you use for myGov
- Protect your mobile phone with a password or PIN so that no-one can access your myGov secure codes.
myGov protects your services
When you use myGov, each linked service you access is protected by your myGov password and secure code, so you can safely look at and update information, whichever service you use.
If you visit a service via its own web page, such as Medicare on the Services Australia website, you’ll see the myGov logo near to where you log in. When you click Sign in, you will be automatically directed to the myGov website to access Medicare using your myGov account. Other services might not show the logo, but will still redirect you to myGov to sign in securely.
myGov hides your personal information
Your personal information will only become visible on the screen once you've signed in to your myGov account. myGov prevents other people from being able to see your personal information.
eSafety tip
If you need to sign in to myGov in a Centrelink or Medicare office, check that no-one can see your computer screen when you enter your myGov username, password or the answers to your secret questions.
Always sign out!
It's very important to sign out of your myGov account every time you finish using it.
Instead of just walking away from your computer, closing the browser, or turning off your computer, make certain to click the My account button and choose Sign out from the menu.
You can find the My account button in the top right of the myGov website.
Well done!
This is the end of the How is my information kept safe on myGov activity, and the Linking services course.
Before going on to the next course, Claiming Medicare with myGov, you can test what you've just learned in a short quiz, if you're a registered user. If you're not registered, you are now at the end of the Linking services in myGov course.
