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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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Fines

Got a fine? Don’t ignore it. Do get legal advice.

Call us toll-free on 1800 765 767 or email [email protected]. 

The ALS Fines Clinic helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW.

 

 

Who we help

We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults across NSW to deal with fines.

Our assistance is subject to means and merit tests. This helps make sure that we can assist those who need it most and would have trouble affording a lawyer otherwise. It also depends on the availability of ALS lawyers. If we are unable to assist you directly, we will do our best to provide you with information and referral onto someone else who can help.

 

How we help

We can help you work out the best way to deal with all kinds of fines, including (but not limited to): 

  • fines issued by NSW Police, local councils and transport officers
  • court fines and Victims Restitution Orders
  • jury duty fines
  • voting fines
  • overdue ambulance bills

 

What we do

The ALS can help with:

  • Advice about challenging fines
  • Lodging reviews with Revenue NSW
  • Managing payment plans
  • Fine write-offs (eligibility criteria apply)
  • Making referrals for Work and Development Orders (WDOs)
  • Contesting COVID fines

 

I’ve been fined – what are my options?

If you get a new penalty notice or penalty reminder notice, you can either:

  • Accept the fine and find a way to manage the payment; or
  • Challenge the fine if you think you should not have received the fine in the first place (e.g. you believe it should have been issued to a different person, or there was a good reason why the offence happened)

 

The ALS can help you work out the best option for your circumstances. Call us on 1800 765 767 (toll-free) or email [email protected].

It’s very important to get legal advice before taking a fine to court. Once you court elect, you cannot take it back and you must go to court to finalise the fine. 

Taking a fine to court comes with serious risks, including a possible criminal record, automatic licence disqualification, higher fines and court fees.  

 

What happens if I ignore a fine?

If you ignore a fine, Revenue NSW can take enforcement action to recover the debt from you.

This means extra costs will be added and your driver’s licence or car registration are likely to be suspended. In some cases, money in your bank account or other property can be seized.

 

Contact us

Call the ALS Fines Clinic on 1800 765 767 or email [email protected].


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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.