You should already have everything you need to connect your home internet. A Telstra modem will have been set up in your home with your previous plan. Connecting won’t require extra cords – it can be done wirelessly (called Wi-Fi). All you’ll need is your desktop or laptop computer, mobile phone, or tablet.

Step 1: Finding your modem (Wi-Fi) name and password.

Find your Wi-Fi network’s name on the fridge magnet that came with your Telstra modem, which you will already have in your home. If you didn’t keep your fridge magnet, there will be a sticker on the modem itself. Check all sides of the modem, including under the base.

Step 2: Turning on laptop or desktop computer’s Wi-Fi.

Find the Wi-Fi icon either in the bar along the top or bottom of your screen, or in your computer’s settings under ‘network’ or similar.
Click ‘Turn Wi-Fi on’

Step 3: Entering your password.

When your Wi-Fi network’s name appears on the list, select it and enter the password from your fridge magnet or the sticker on your modem.

Browsing the internet is a great way to stay up to date with the latest news, weather updates, and anything else you might want to find out. Your computer, mobile phone or tablet should already have an internet browsing program set up. When you open this, it will default to a search engine where you can type anything you might want to catch up on.

To start browsing on a desktop or laptop computer:

Find your computer’s menu of applications and look for your browser – popular ones include Safari on Apple computers; Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge on Windows computers; or Firefox or Google Chrome on any mobile device.

Take a look at your computer to find any of these applications:

Email isn’t just a great way to keep in touch with people as we spend more time at home, an email address also lets you set up other applications as you become more familiar with using the internet.

To set up your own email address:

Step 1

Open your internet browser (see section 2) and type in your preferred email provider – Gmail and Hotmail are two popular options. Once you’ve found it, follow the instructions after clicking ‘Sign up’.

Email, apps and social media

Once you’ve set up an email address, you’ll now be able to set up and access a range of other important internet services. You can:
• Set up accounts to use social networking sites, like Facebook,WhatsApp or Skype.
• Gain access to online app stores where you can download a range of applications for computers, mobile phones or tablets.

Apps – or ‘applications’ – are programs which allow you to connect with others and use the internet in the common ways mentioned in this guide. From social media to video calls, there’s a range you might find useful.

To use apps on a laptop or desktop computer, follow these steps:                 

Step 1

Open your internet browser (see section 2) and type the name of the application you’re looking for into the search bar.

Step 2

Some apps will work in the browser, and others will ask you to download them to your computer – just follow the prompts provided when you find the application you’re interested in using. Note, not all apps are free, but you’ll be asked to confirm you’re happy to pay before any download is finished. Costs are charged through your app store or the website, not Telstra.

Other useful apps on your mobile phone are:

As we are spending more time at home, it is a great time to start enjoying the huge range of entertainment available online.
For your favourite movies and TV shows, follow these steps:

Step 1

Open your browser and search for a video streaming service (see section 2). Popular examples of streaming services include Netflix, Stan or Amazon Prime, which will ask you to subscribe with a paid account. Many free to air TV stations also have their own streaming services.

Step 2

Find ‘Sign up’ or similar and follow the prompts to set up an account. Many streaming services have their own app, which you can download for easier access once you’re set up. You’ll find instructions in section above.

Open your browser and search for any game you like - you can play cards, do crosswords, test your trivia knowledge and much more. You can also download a Games app from the App Store or Google Play.

Online radio stations:

Many radio stations have online listening channels – search for your favourite station in your browser, find their website and look for ‘live streaming’ or similar.

Video calls are a great way to stay in touch and talk face to face with friends and family when you can’t see them in person. We’ve listed some popular apps for making video calls below.
To start making video calls, follow these steps:

Step 1

Search for and download your preferred video call app in your internet browser, or your chosen app store, see section 4 for how to do this.

Step 2

Once the app has downloaded, open it and follow the prompts to enter your contact details (e.g. your mobile phone number or email address).

Step 3

Once the app is set up, open it and go to your list of contacts. Find and select the name of the family member or friend you’d like to call, then select the ‘video call’ icon.

Popular video call apps.

For further assistance, ask a friend or family member which video calling app they use.

The internet is a safe place to explore and enjoy, provided you know how to make safe decisions.

Avoiding internet scams:

Here’s a simple way to think of making safe choices online: if you wouldn’t do something in your everyday life, avoid doing it on the internet.

If a stranger asks for personal information, like bank account or credit card details, ask yourself if you would give it to them if you weren’t online. Check things come from a reliable source, and if in any doubt, always choose what you feel is the safest option.

Creating secure passwords:

For some activities, you’ll be asked to set up a ‘Username’ and password to be allowed to use them. Creating a password that’s hard to guess helps keep your information safe. 

To create a secure password:

• Use at least eight characters.

• Mix numbers and letters (including upper and lower-case).

• Change your password every 1-3 months.

To learn more about safe internet use, see our page on cyber safety.