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Tips to browse safely online

Here you'll find some basic tips to protect your privacy and reduce the ability for people to see what you do online.

The 'Close this site' button

Some pages on this website include a 'Close this site' button. Use this button to quickly hide what you are looking at. You might find this helpful if someone comes into the room or looks over your shoulder and you don't want them to know what you've been looking at.

When you use the 'Close this site' button, it immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

You can also quickly close this site by using the ESC button on your computer keyboard. It immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

The 'Close this site' function doesn't delete your browser history. This means that if someone checks your browser history on your computer or mobile device, they will be able to see everything you looked at on our website.

Clear your browsing history regularly

Web browsers keep track of your online activity through your browser history, cookies and caching. This is so you can find websites you've visited before, but it also means other people can see this data.

To protect your privacy, it's a good idea to clear your browsing history regularly. You can choose to delete everything or only some things.

Find out how to clear your browsing history in:

  • Internet Explorer
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Use private browsing

Private browsing is an easy way to hide your browsing habits. If enabled, when you close your browser, all browsing history and stored cookies from future browsing sessions will automatically disappear.

However, the sites you visited during your current browsing session will record your browsing activity. Your internet service provider will also record this information. Any files you download using private browsing won't be deleted, so other people can access them if they use your device.

Find out how to enable private browsing in:

  • Internet Explorer
    • In the 'Tools' menu (the cog icon on top right of the browser window), select 'Safety', then 'InPrivate Browsing'.
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Accounts and passwords

Don't let your browser auto-save your passwords. While the auto-save function may be convenient, it gives anyone who uses your device access to your accounts.

When you are using an account with a password (e.g. your social media or email account), always log out before leaving the website.

Using other computers and devices

If you are worried about someone looking at your internet use, consider using a computer or device that they can't access.

This might be a computer at your local library, your work computer, or a family or friend's device. But again, don't auto-save any passwords and make sure you log out of your accounts when you've finished using the computer.

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

This advice is from "Tips to browse safely online" by The State of Queensland.
The content is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license.
© The State of Queensland 2024.
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ALS offices temporarily closed to the public

12 August 2021

All ALS offices are temporarily closed to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak – but we're still here for you.

Our staff are still working. Wherever possible, we are offering assistance over the phone or audio-visual link. We continue to provide representation at courts across NSW and the ACT.

As always, if you need legal help, you can call the following numbers during business hours:

  • 1800 765 767 – for police charges and court matters
  • 1800 733 233 – for child and family matters

The Custody Notification Service (CNS) remains open 24/7. This is used by police to notify the ALS whenever an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is taken into custody in NSW or the ACT.

 

Do you have an appointment at our office?

If you already have an appointment booked with one of our solicitors, please call us to check whether it will go ahead in-person or over the phone/video call. 

If you are required to come into the office, we will need you to:

  • Wear a mask throughout the visit
  • Maintain 1.5 metres distance between you and others
  • Answer some screening questions, including whether you have been in contact with anyone who has the virus, and whether you have been to a case location
  • Check in with the QR code
  • Sign a visitor register

 

Are you due to attend court or report for bail?

If you're in an area that's subject to stay-at-home restrictions, you probably don't need to attend court in-person - but you must contact your ALS solicitor to confirm this and get further instructions.

If you're not sure whether this applies to you, please contact us to check.

You need to keep reporting to your local police station if you're on bail, unless you've been informed otherwise. Please contact your ALS solicitor to check on your obligations.

 

Stay safe, get vaccinated and #Swab4Mob

There's nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of our communities. Alongside our friends and colleagues at AH&MRC, NACCHO and the AMS network, we encourage you to take the following actions to stay healthy and protect your loved ones:

 

Stick to the rules if your neighbourhood is under a stay-at-home order

Learn what you can and can't do under the rules.

  • NSW rules
  • ACT rules

 

Wear a mask outside your home and make sure you have a fresh mask each time

 

Wash your hands regularly and keep good hygiene

 

If you feel unwell, get tested and #Swab4Mob (find your closest COVID testing clinic here)

 

Get vaccinated! Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 and up are now eligible for the free vaccine. Register your appointment here.

 

Useful links – stay safe and in-the-know

  • NSW Health: Latest COVID-19 news and updates
  • NSW Health: COVID-19 rules
  • ACT Government: COVID-19 information and advice in the ACT
  • Australian Government: Check if you're eligible for a COVID vaccination
  • NSW Government: Find your closest COVID testing clinic
  • NACCHO and NCIRS: Information about COVID-19 vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
  • Australian Government: Coronavirus advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and remote communities

 

You can also call the national coronavirus and vaccine helpline 24/7 on 1800 020 080.

We encourage you to keep an eye on our ALS social media profiles for updates on our offices and services. We're on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.


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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and travel. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present and acknowledge the contribution and sacrifices our Elders have made to better our community and future. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this site contains names and images of people who have passed away.

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We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and travel, and their Elders past and present.

Warning: This website may contain images and names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have passed away.