Staying Safe Online: Practical Cyber Security for Everyday Life

Course Overview

Scam emails, fake text messages, identity theft and online fraud are becoming increasingly common, and everyday Australians are often the target. This practical, jargon-free course will help you understand the most common cyber security risks and learn simple steps to protect yourself, your family and your personal information online.

Designed specifically for everyday internet users, this course explains cyber security in plain English and focuses on practical actions you can take immediately. Whether you use online banking, social media, email, online shopping or a smartphone, you’ll gain the confidence to recognise cyber threats and reduce your risk of becoming a victim of scams or fraud.

Led by a cyber security and compliance specialist with more than 25 years’ experience across telecommunications, government, banking and technology, the course translates complex security concepts into easy-to-understand strategies that anyone can apply.

You will learn how to identify phishing emails, fake websites and scam messages, create stronger passwords, secure your devices and accounts, and understand what to do if you suspect your identity or information has been compromised.

No technical experience is required. This course is suitable for adults of all ages who want greater confidence using technology safely in their everyday lives.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. Join us to build practical cyber safety skills and enjoy greater peace of mind online.

Learn more about this course

What you will learn

Course outline

This practical course focuses on real-world online safety challenges and the simple habits that can help keep you secure.

  • Understanding today's most common scams and cyber threats
  • Recognising phone, email, text message and social media scams
  • How to identify phishing emails and fake websites
  • Creating strong passwords and managing them securely
  • Understanding password managers and their benefits
  • Protecting online banking and financial information
  • Understanding identity theft and how it occurs
  • Recognising warning signs of compromised accounts
  • Safe use of public Wi-Fi and personal devices
  • Understanding two-factor authentication and why it matters
  • Simple ways to improve smartphone, tablet and computer security
  • Where to report scams and seek help in Australia

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify common scams and phishing attempts before they cause harm
  • Create stronger passwords and understand password management options
  • Use two-factor authentication to improve account security
  • Protect your online banking, email and personal information
  • Recognise potential signs of identity theft or account compromise
  • Know what action to take if you believe you have been targeted by a scam
  • Use the internet, email, online banking and social media with greater confidence

What you need to know

Entry requirements

No prior technical knowledge is required.

This course is suitable for complete beginners and anyone wanting to improve their online safety and digital confidence.

Basic familiarity with using a smartphone, tablet or computer is helpful but not essential.

What you need to provide

  • A pen and notepad
  • Optional: your smartphone, tablet or laptop if you would like to follow along with demonstrations and practical examples

Delivery mode

Face-to-face classroom workshop featuring real-world examples, demonstrations, discussion and practical guidance.

About your tutor

Kevin Wu is a Sydney-based cyber security, technology risk and regulatory compliance specialist with more than 25 years of experience across telecommunications, government, financial services and technology sectors.

He holds an MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Information Technology from the University of Malaya, and is a Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) with ISC2. Kevin has contributed to global cyber security standards through his volunteer work on ISC2 examination development panels.

His career includes senior roles with Telstra, work on sovereign government communications platforms, and advising organisations on cyber security, compliance and technology risk. Through his consulting practice, QX Compliance Advisory, he helps Australian businesses strengthen security, compliance and digital resilience.

Kevin is passionate about making cyber security understandable and practical for everyday Australians. His engaging teaching style focuses on real-world examples, practical solutions and building confidence rather than technical complexity.

Coming soon

Classes for this term have finished. New classes are coming soon.

Please call 1300 845 888 and our team will help you with enrolment.

Delivery Mode

To meet the needs of our students Macquarie Community College balances delivery and engagement across permanent, regular and temporary delivery sites and offer face-to-face, remote zoom classes and self-paced learning options.

Ways to Study

  • On campus

Our college campus locations are:

    • Blacktown
    • Chatswood
    • Carlingford
    • Epping
    • Ryde
    • Mt Druitt
  • Virtual classroom
  • Complete workplace training
  • Combine ways to study

FAQ

How you got questions? Please see our comprehensive FAQ page for everything you need to know about Macquarie Community College, our policies, student support, application and enrolment procedures.

How to Enrol

Step 1 - Choose Your Course

  • Select the non-accredited short course you are interested in.
  • Find a day and time that suits your schedule.

Note: Enrolment is open to anyone 18 years or older.

Step 2 - Enrol and Verify

  • Click ‘Enrol Now’ after selecting your course and schedule.
  • Enter your details on the enrolment page.
  • Verify your email through a secure link sent to your email address.
  • Complete the secure checkout and payment process.

Ensure you read the Terms and Conditions available at: Macquarie Community College Terms and Conditions. For assistance, call customer service at 1300 845 888.

Step 3 - Receive Your Enrolment Details

  • You will receive an immediate enrolment confirmation email upon successful enrolment. Check and read the attached Terms and Conditions.
  • The payer of the enrolment will receive a tax invoice immediately after processing.
  • You will receive a course reminder email a day before your class begins.
  • For Online Zoom classes, a Zoom link and password will be emailed the day before class. Use the same link and password for subsequent sessions if applicable.