Privacy and Security
When visiting this site, a record of your visit is logged and information automatically recorded for statistical purposes to enable us to improve this site and our services. This information does not identify you personally nor do we track information about individuals and their visits. Your browser supplies the following information:
- The user's Internet domain (e.g. "xcompany.com.au" if you use a private Internet access account, or "yourschool.edu.au" if you connect from a university's domain) and IP address from which you access our website
- The type of browser used (e.g. Firefox v2.0.0.3)
- The user's operating system (e.g. Windows, Mac etc)
- The date and time you access this site
- The pages you visit and the documents downloaded
- If you linked to the CSA website from another website, the address of that website.
No attempt will be made to identify users or their browsing activities except where otherwise required by law. For example in the unlikely event of an investigation, a law enforcement agency may exercise their legal authority to inspect the service provider's logs.
CSA's website does not use collect clickstream data. It only uses cookies within the Managing your money budgeting tool to save users figures onto their own computer which are protected by a username and password.
Collection of personal information
Personal information collected by us, for example use of an online form, will only:
- be used for lawful purposes
- be collected with your consent
- be used for the purpose it is collected
When you e-mail us:
- we will record your e-mail address
- we will only use your e-mail address for the purpose for which you provide it
- it will not be added to a mailing list unless requested by you
- we will not disclose it without your consent
- we will not disclose your personal information unless required to do so by law
Your privacy
The information requested in CSA forms is needed for child support purposes and is required by Child Support law. Some information may be passed to Centrelink, the Australian Taxation Office, or to a law enforcement agency. The CSA reference or file number requested may in some cases also be your Tax File Number. It is not an offence if you choose not to quote your Tax File Number.
We do not provide your information to any private organisation nor collect information for commercial marketing. We will not pass on your information to any private organisation, except we may provide your contact details to organisations contracted by CSA to carry out research to help CSA improve its services. You are not obliged to participate in this research.
CSA's guidelines on privacy are in accordance with the Information Privacy Principles of the Privacy Act 1988.
You may obtain further information about the Privacy Act from the Privacy Commissioner's website, http://www.privacy.gov.au/.
Security
When you send CSA an email, the content of your email may not be secure as it is transferred across the Internet. Once CSA receives information from you either via e-mail or any other means the information is in a secure environment. Your personal information will not be released unless the law permits it or your permission is granted.
You need to be aware of inherent risks associated with the transmission of information via the Internet.
If you have concerns in this regard, CSA has alternative methods of obtaining and providing information. Normal mail, telephone and fax facilities are available. View CSA's contact details.
Links to other sites
Our website has links to many other websites. Once you link to another site, you are subject to the privacy policy of the new site.
Protecting Your Privacy
CSA takes protecting your privacy very seriously and has invested considerable resources in ensuring your personal details are protected when you deal with CSA or use our secure online services (CSAonline).
You can help CSA to protect your privacy, by taking the following precautions:
- Secure your passwords and access details
- Protect your computer against viruses and other security risks.
- Check your browser's security settings when you logon
- Confirm who you're speaking to
Secure your passwords and access details
CSA will never email you requesting your password or access details. CSA will also never send you an email containing a link. If you receive an email from someone claiming to represent CSA requesting you to confirm or supply your online logon details, you should delete the email without clicking on any links, or opening any attachments. Please contact CSA as soon as possible to report this.
Protect your computer against viruses and other security risks
Always make sure that your computer is adequately protected against viruses, Trojans (see What are Trojans?) and other security risks when you are using the Internet. Anti-virus software is readily available and worth the investment if you are a regular Internet user.
There are programs circulated on the Internet that - without your knowledge - can install themselves on your personal computer and steal details such as your user IDs and passwords. These programs can then forward your personal information - again without your knowledge - to another computer where it may be used by people for unlawful purposes.
To find out more information about protecting your personal information, type 'Internet Security' into your Internet search engine to find practical advice on measures you can take to protect your privacy when using the Internet.
Check your browser's security settings when you logon
When you are logging on to CSAonline, look for the padlock icon in the bottom corner of your browser. This icon indicates that you are entering a page with more security features built-in to it. You can find more information about the security certificates built into the page by double clicking on this padlock icon.
Confirm who you're speaking to
From time-to-time, you may receive a telephone call from a CSA staff member. If you have any doubt that the person on the telephone might not be from CSA, you should ask the staff member for their name, work stream and location. You should then call CSA back on 131 272 and ask to speak to that person.
What are Trojans?
A Trojan is malicious or harmful computer code hidden within a seemingly innocent computer program or code. When you install or run this on your computer, the hidden or 'Trojan' elements are activated.
Trojans can harm your computer in many ways. They may:
- allow someone else to take over your computer by exposing a security vulnerability
- search your computer for private information and send that information to another machine via the Internet and / or
- corrupt or delete data on your computer.
Where does the term 'Trojan' come from?
The term comes from Greek mythology. During the Trojan War, the ancient Greeks presented a massive - seemingly harmless - wooden horse to the people of Troy. Greek warriors hid inside the wooden horse which was welcomed inside the previously impenetrable city walls. The Greek warriors broke out of the horse and launched a surprise attack when the people of Troy were sleeping. Similarly, on the surface Trojans look harmless but hide harmful code which attacks your computer when you install or run the program.
Why are Trojans a problem for you?
CSA is committed to developing online products to provide an efficient and more flexible service, and relevant up-to-date information to help you manage your child support payments. CSA has already invested significant effort and resources into protecting the security and privacy of your personal information and will continue to update and maintain the integrity of our systems into the future.
It is equally important that you know about potential risks to your privacy on the internet so you can minimise these risks by taking appropriate security precautions. These risks could:
- cause you significant inconvenience or costs
- impact on your ability to deal with CSA electronically or online
- result in the loss or damage of your electronic information and / or
- lead to your electronic records or personal details being misused.
If you manage your Child Support affairs using a computer system, or use the Internet to deal with CSA, you should be aware of potential risks to your computer - such as Trojans - and take appropriate precautions.
What should you look out for?
You need to install a Trojan on your computer, as opposed to computer viruses that can be installed without your knowledge. Trojans are commonly hidden in popular files that people are tempted to download (such as free games and multimedia files). Some Trojans may appear to be harmless (such as an image file) but are actually computer programs.
One common technique involves deceiving people to believe that the download comes from a legitimate source, such as a known software company or a trusted organisation.
Installing computer programs
You should never install a computer program if you do not completely trust the source or are unsure of what the program does.
What steps can you take to minimise the risk of Trojans?
As with viruses, you should be mindful of the files you send or receive, and of the files you download from the Internet. This is especially true for freeware (freely available software) and shareware ('try before you buy') software.
You may want to consider:
- installing a firewall (a computer program used to stop unauthorised programs sending information from your computer)
- installing anti-virus software and ensuring the latest anti-virus updates are in place
- using anti-virus software to regularly scan your computer for viruses and
- installing and regularly running an anti-Trojan program to detect and remove known Trojans from your computer.
More information
Further information on spam email and details for reporting spam email from Australia or spam email that advertises an Australian product, can be found at http://www.acma.gov.au/.
CSA takes a number of precautions to protect your privacy over the Internet when you use our secure CSAonline service. However if you have any doubts that your computer is fully protected or you have concerns that your privacy may be breached, we suggest that you contact CSA via the telephone and speak to a Customer Service Officer.