He said a password manager, two-factor authentication, updating devices, and checking privacy settings were basic steps to take.
Recent research by CERT found 87 per cent of those surveyed thought safety and security of their personal information online was something important to them. However, 40 per cent thought the precautions to protect online personal information was inconvenient.
Almost a third do not frequently check the privacy settings on their social media accounts and about the same number do not use two-factor authentication when logging into an online account, such as a code sent to a phone in addition to a password.
"It appears the majority of Kiwis know they should be cyber smart, but some are not acting on it," Pope said.
"The results are concerning. They reveal approximately a third of New Zealanders are more vulnerable to a cyber attack, meaning their data could be accessed and their identity stolen, enabling the attacker to conduct a range of criminal activities, including online fraud."
Advice on how to improve your cyber security habits is available on CERT NZ's website: www.cert.govt.nz.