Over the last year, almost one in three Australians experienced cyber crime and 55 per cent of the population say it is at least somewhat likely they will experience cyber crime in the next year.
These are some of the key findings from the 2018 Norton LifeLock Cyber Safety Insights Report, an online survey conducted in Australia by The Harris Poll in October 2018 among 1,002 adults.
In fact, cyber crime in the past year cost the average Aussie an estimated AU$240 and almost 7 hours trying to resolve the resulting issues, such as replacing devices or recovering lost files or money.
The Norton LifeLock Cyber Safety Insights Report also estimates Australians lost 37 million hours and $1.3 billion as an impact of cyber crime in the past year.
Never open suspicious-looking emails: Cyber criminals send fake emails or texts that may look legitimate.
Most Common Cyber Crimes In Australia
- 26 per cent of people have detected malicious software on a computer, Wi-Fi network smartphone, tablet, smart home or other connected device.
- 14 per cent detected unauthorised access on an online banking of other financial account.
- 12 per cent detected unauthorised access on an email account.
In today’s connected world, businesses are prime targets for cyber attacks and unintentional missteps can result in critical exposure of consumers’ sensitive personal information
Nearly three in four Australians are more alarmed than ever about their privacy. In fact, one in five respondents have gone so far as to delete a social media account due to privacy concerns in the past 12 months.
Tips To Safeguard Against Online Threats
- To help protect your devices and information from the latest online threats, use a robust multi-platform security solution and update it regularly.
- Never open suspicious-looking emails: Cyber criminals send fake emails or texts that may look legitimate. The links in these emails or texts contain malicious software that can download malware and spyware. The software may be able to mine your computer for personal information, which is then sent to a remote computer where the attacker could sell the information on the dark web or use the information to commit identity theft.
- Make use of a VPN on public Wi-Fi: Many public Wi-Fi connections are unencrypted. This could give cyber criminals a chance to snoop on data being sent and received by your device. If there are software vulnerabilities on your device, attackers can inject malware to help them gain access to your data. In some cases, attackers create fake Wi-Fi hotspots purporting to be legitimate networks.
- Own your online presence: Carefully read the terms and conditions before opening an account or downloading an application, including social media accounts. Be sure to set the privacy and security settings on web services and devices to your comfort level for information sharing.
- Get two steps ahead and manage your passwords: Switch on two-step verification or multi- factor authentication wherever offered to prevent unauthorised access to your online accounts. Always change the default passwords to something strong and unique on your devices, services, and Wi-Fi networks.
- Educate your child about online safety: Don’t just tell them to be careful online, show them how. Spend time with your child online and guide them through how to have a positive relationship with technology.
- Be cautious of over-sharing your child’s life on social media: You are creating your child’s digital identity. Ensure your social media posts present your child in a positive way.
Learn more about the real impact of cyber crime
