The security of the Landonline system is a high priority to LINZ. To ensure the integrity of state records and the availability of the system, Landonline utilises a multi-layered system including two factor authentication.
All Landonline users have a unique username, Digital Certificate, password and passphrase to ensure their use of the system is secure.
When it comes to your firm's PC security, it is also necessary to make sure your computer and Internet environments are safe.
How secure is your firm's PC and Internet environment?
Here are 10 basic steps firms can take to protect their own PCs from viruses and other nasties:
- Take care when opening e-mail attachments: This is the most common way to import a virus onto a PC. Before opening an attachment, make sure you know who sent it. Also be cautious opening attachments with .pps, .exe, .scr or .pif file extensions as they often contain viruses.
- Use anti-virus software and keep it up to date: A number of commercial anti-virus products and anti-virus programmes are downloadable from the Internet.
- Install anti-spyware software: Protect PCs from Spyware and Adware: these programmes are placed on PCs without consent and track what is sent and received over the Internet.
- Use firewalls: Protect PCs from unauthorised access by hackers. Personal firewalls that prevent unauthorised access to PCs are available on the Internet.
- Keep updates and patches up to date: Regularly download security updates and patches for operating systems and other software. All software providers issue patches (fixes for bugs and security flaws found on any release of software) and service packs (several patches).
- Use hard-to-guess passwords: Mix upper case, lower case, numbers, or other characters not easily found in a dictionary, and make sure they are at least eight characters long. Turning passwords into a rhyme can help you to remember.
- Know where to look: Be aware of security issues and regularly use this checklist as a guide.
- Back up work: Regularly back-up PC data on disks, CDs or tapes.
- Don't share PC access with strangers: Learn about file sharing risks.
- Finally: If using dial-up connections, disconnect PCs from the Internet when not in use.
Revoking a Digital Certificate
If your password or passphrase has been compromised (ie. you no longer have exclusive access to it), you will need to immediately notify LINZ Customer Services on 0800 665 463 (press option 4).
