Online Safety stories

Softonic issues festive-season guide warning of rising scams in fake shops, apps and delivery messages as online bargain hunting surges.

Avast flags 430,000 blocked visits to fake online shops in Australia, warning scam “ghost stores” will surge over summer sales and Christmas.

Digimune and MY CYBER GUARD have teamed up to launch an Australian identity protection service for households and small businesses.

AI supply chains will consolidate by 2026, with tight human oversight, integrated infrastructure and trust becoming key differentiators.

UK banks face rising AI-driven fraud in 2026 as criminals exploit gaps in regulation, prompting calls for urgent cross-sector action to protect consumers.

Trend Micro warns AI-driven scams will surge by 2026, using deepfakes and multi-channel tactics to trap victims in sophisticated frauds globally.

Most Australians support banning social media for under-16s but doubt the ban's effectiveness, favouring a mix of restrictions and education instead.

Norton 360 Advanced secures up to ten devices with AI-driven scam protection, offering antivirus, VPN, identity monitoring and deepfake alerts across platforms.

AI-driven scams are posing a growing threat to New Zealand shoppers this Black Friday, as fraudsters create realistic fake websites to trick consumers.

Australians lost an average of AUD $445 each to AI-driven holiday scams, with fake sites mimicking top tech and luxury brands surging ahead of festivities.

Young Australians are most at risk as holiday online shopping scams surge, with Gen Z and Millennials more likely to engage in risky cyber behaviours this season.

Most consumers distrust open-access guest Wi-Fi, urging businesses to enhance network security and build trust through transparent data privacy practices.

An Instagram safety campaign has been blocked by advertisers over fears it might upset Meta, highlighting Big Tech's influence in advertising decisions.

The US, UK and Australia have sanctioned Russian web-host Media Land and its leaders for aiding ransomware attacks via bulletproof hosting services.

Over half of Black Friday-themed spam emails are scams, with fraudsters impersonating brands like Amazon to steal personal data worldwide.

Cyber Monday shoppers are urged to protect their data from scams like fake sites, phishing emails and insecure payments during the online shopping surge.

SecurEyes held a cybersecurity session at Bengaluru’s GEAR Innovative International School, teaching students how to stay safe and recognise online threats.

APP fraud, rising to 42% of UK losses in 2025, causes £2,300 lost per minute, urging banks and tech firms to boost joint防efforts.

UK and EU influencer marketing evolves with stricter compliance and education, boosting transparency and professionalism amid rising regulatory demands.

UK firm Verifymy teams up with k-ID to integrate email-based age checks into developer toolkit, enhancing online safety for children amid growing global regulations.