Trust and safety resources
At TELUS, we're committed to creating a friendly and secure digital world for all. That means safeguarding your data and also offering you tools, information and resources to protect yourself online.
Making the digital world safer for everyone
Explore our best practices, tips, and resources to take control of your information and privacy. Together, we can ensure your data stays secure—everywhere you go online.
Tips to help protect your information and privacy
Protecting your data and privacy online takes effort, and knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. We’ve compiled practical tips and best practices to help you safeguard your personal information and stay secure in the digital world
Knowing if a suspicious email is trying to phish you can be difficult. To help spot phishing emails faster, ask yourself:
- Does the email use a generic greeting like “Hello Customer”?
- Is the email asking you to provide personal or sensitive information, login or account information, passwords or a PIN (Personal Identification Number)?
- Does the message try to convey a sense of urgency and/or pressure you into taking immediate action, and/or click on a link or attachment?
- Is the email from an organization you trust but is unexpected and/or from someone you don’t know?
- Does the body of the email contain odd or inconsistent formatting and/or spelling mistakes?
What to do if you have received a suspected phishing email to your TELUS.net account:
- Do not click on any links and/or attachments within the suspicious email
- If you receive an email that appears to be from TELUS, but are unsure of its authenticity, send it to[email protected]
- Phishing emails can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), which collects information and criminal intelligence on fraud.
Follow this
link
to learn more about reporting fraud to the CAFC or call 1-888-495-8501
.Phishing text messages are similar to phishing emails in that they try to trick you into sharing personal, login and/or account information by pretending to be sent from a trusted company or organization.
If you receive an unexpected, questionable text message, pause and ask yourself:
- Is the text asking for personal or sensitive information, login, account information, passwords or PIN (Personal Identification Number)?
- Does the message try to convey a sense of urgency or create pressure for you to take immediate action, and/or click on a link?
- Does the message appear to be from a trusted organization who has never reached out to you via text before or is unexpected?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you have likely received a phishing text.
What to do if you have received a suspected phishing text to your TELUS mobile device:
- Do not respond or click on links or instructions within the message
- Report the text to TELUS by forwarding the message to 7726 with the word “SPAM” in the body of the message. Instructions on how to forward text messages can be found on your device manufacturer’s website (e.g. iPhone support)
For more tips on smartphone safety, visit
telus.com/wise
.The internet is filled with information to explore, but it also comes with risks that hackers and cybercriminals are waiting to exploit. Below are some best practices for when it comes to using the internet.
Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are often not secure and can make your personal information vulnerable and accessible to cybercriminals.
Whenever possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi to access sensitive information like online banking or personal accounts (e.g. My TELUS).If you must use public Wi-Fi to access an account where login credentials are (e.g. email address and password) required, be sure the account’s website starts with "https" (e.g.
https://www.gmail.com
), which indicates that it is a secure website (see example below).Secure websites
A secure website always begins with “https”. The “s” indicates a more secure version than the standard “http” website and encrypts the information sent between your device and the website.
When shopping or paying bills online, be sure the merchant’s website is secure and there is a secure payment transaction system. Look at the lock icon in the status bar of your browser. If the site is secure, the lock will be closed.
Security and anti-virus software
Installing security software is a good way to help protect your privacy online. To help you understand the difference between various types of security software, we have created a list, highlighting the features and benefits of each:
- Anti-virus software can detect and delete virus files before they attack your device
- Anti-spyware software can prevent harmful spyware and adware files from being installed on your device. Spyware and adware allow fraudsters to monitor your web browsing patterns, track your keystrokes and inundate you with annoying (and sometimes harmful) pop-up ads
- A personal firewall can monitor both incoming and outgoing internet traffic from your device. These firewalls protect you from being hacked and having viruses/spyware installed without your knowledge. Most firewall programs also block unauthorized access to the internet from your device
Knowing and understanding how to keep your devices and computer safe and secure are important steps in protecting your privacy and information. Learn more by reading our best practices below that you can follow on a regular basis.
Third-party applications (apps)
Be cautious when downloading third-party apps to your mobile device or tablet as they may contain harmful software and/or request unnecessary access to data stored within your device.
To help keep your device and data secure:
- Avoid downloading applications from untrusted sources
- Stick to apps created and managed by trusted, reputable companies
- When installing an app, review what other areas of your device the app is requesting permission to access. If the requested access should not be needed for the app to work, reconsider installing it. For example, be suspicious if a flashlight app is requesting access to your photos or contacts as this access should not be needed for the flashlight feature to work. At the very least, do not grant access to your contacts, photos or location for an app that does not require them to function
Security and anti-virus software
Installing security software is a good way to help protect your privacy online. To help you understand the difference between various types of security software, we have created a list highlighting the features and benefits of each:
- Anti-virus software can detect and delete virus files before they attack your device
- Anti-spyware software can prevent harmful spyware and adware files from being installed on your device. Spyware and adware allow fraudsters to monitor your web browsing patterns, track your keystrokes and inundate you with annoying (and sometimes harmful) pop-up ads
- A personal firewall can monitor both incoming and outgoing Internet traffic from your device. These firewalls protect you from being hacked and having viruses/spyware installed without your knowledge. Most firewall programs also block unauthorized access to the internet from your device
To find the appropriate security applications for your device, search the app store (
Apple App Store
, BlackBerry World
, Google Play
, Windows Phone
). Before installing security software on any device, be sure that it is compatible with your operating system.To help protect your devices against known viruses, spyware, malware and phishing attacks, please visit
telus.com/onlinesecurity
to learn more.Software updates
Device manufacturers (e.g. Blackberry, Apple and Android) and operating system manufacturers (e.g. Microsoft, Apple) have independent program/software managers that notify you when a new version of the software is available for your device. Always accept notifications for and install software updates on your devices as they become available. These updates include important security patches that protect your device from the latest internet threats.
Becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud is an anxious and stressful experience. When identity thieves gain access to your personal information, they can wreak havoc on your finances, credit and reputation. Continue reading to learn how to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission. Essentially, they impersonate you using your credentials.
To reduce the possibility of falling victim to identity theft and fraud, it’s always a good idea to:
- Be cautious of phishing emails, texts and phone calls, and spam emails.Read more about phishing here
- Limit the amount and type of personal information you share online
- Think twice before posting your contact information (e.g. name, address, phone number, email address, etc., including names of your children or family members), or other sensitive data such as your date of birth, or information that can be used to impersonate or trick you such as names of pets, dates/details of trips and vacations, etc. (If a fraudster has more details about you, it is easier for them to craft a phishing email/text or call that tricks you or those close to you into thinking it is legitimate.)
- Be cautious when providing personal information over the telephone when you are in a public place
- Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi, especially when accessing online banking or personal accounts (e.g. My TELUS).Read about internet safety and security here
- Use complex, unique passwords, and change them frequently.Learn about creating strong passwords here
- Check the privacy and permission settings on your mobile device and apps to ensure you are not allowing access to your device’s photos, contact list, location, camera or microphone
- Make sure your device and computer anti-virus and other security features to detect malware are up-to-date and be cautious when downloading third-party apps or software.Read about device safety and security here
- Check your balance and statements from TELUS, financial institutions, credit card and utility companies as soon as you receive them and report any suspicious activity immediately
- Check your credit bureau once a year for errors or unusual activity. Canada has two national credit bureaus:Equifax(1-800-465-7166) andTransUnion(1-877-525-3823). You can request a report from each one of them once per year at no charge
Make it difficult to guess: A good password is longer than eight characters and includes letters, numbers, and symbols. A great password combines these elements with random words or phrases to create a passphrase that’s longer than 15 characters. You can make your passphrase even stronger and more unique by avoiding obvious word combinations, using words in other languages, or combining words.
Use a different password for each account: It can be hard to remember a complex password for one account, let alone a different password for everything you need to sign into. But using the same password to sign in to multiple accounts can leave you vulnerable; once a password is compromised, thieves will check it on other popular websites to try and log in to your accounts. Consider using a
password manager
to keep track and even generate unique passwords.Enable two-factor authentication: Where possible, use two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your devices and accounts secure. For example, some phones will let you use your fingerprint or face to unlock the screen, and institutions like banks or credit card companies may send you a one-time passcode to verify your identity or transactions. This extra layer of security can stop fraudsters from getting to your sensitive and valuable data, so don’t share your verification codes with anyone else.
Keep it to yourself: Think of your password like a toothbrush - it should never be shared! If you suspect someone else has unauthorized access to your account, change your password immediately.
Make security questions hard to answer: Instead of using your mother’s maiden name or the town you grew up in (both common security questions for password recovery and both easily findable via social media), choose more challenging to guess options for which only you could know the answer.
Report a problem
If you suspect phishing or fraudulent activity, please report it to us.
Digital literacy
Stay safe and smart in the Digital World
Explore TELUS Wise®, a free digital literacy program designed to empower all ages with the knowledge and tools for safer, smarter, and more positive digital experiences. Access workshops, resources, and expert advice to navigate your online world with confidence.
Learn more about protecting your online privacy and using technology responsibly.