A Torres Strait cybersecurity expert is urging mob to stay safe online using the Act Now. Stay Secure. campaign’s three simple actions. Photo: Supplied.
With more than 87,000 cybercrime reports made in Australia in 2023-24 and the cost of cybercrime to individuals rising by 17 per cent, a Torres Strait cybersecurity expert is urging community members to stay safe online.
The latest phase of the Australian Government’s Act Now. Stay Secure. campaign reminded Australians, particularly those in remote and regional communities, to take three simple behaviours to remain a step ahead of cybercriminals.
Act Now. Stay Secure. campaign ambassador, cybersecurity expert and Badu Island man Jack Reis said the community faced greater exposure to the harms of cybercrime than ever before.
“We hear so much in the news about dodgy computer viruses and hackers stealing our info that it can make us scared to do anything online, but the fact is, we all spend so much time online,” he said.
“Whether you’re sharing stories, banking, or checking in on mob through socials, it’s important to protect your information and your identity.
“Cyber security isn’t just a city issue – it’s a community issue that affects us all, including those in regional and remote areas.”
The campaign highlighted three simple actions to protect personal information and keep online accounts and money secure: use unique and strong passphrases (a series of words put together, rather than one word) on every account, install all software updates regularly, and always turn on multi-factor authentication.
Mr Reis said these actions must be undertaken regularly to be effective, and that cybersecurity was something to stay on top of.
“We’re all guilty of ignoring a software update on our phone or using the one password across all of our accounts, but if something bad happens online – like if you think you’ve been scammed or hacked — there’s no shame,” he said.
“Have a yarn with the people you care about and share what you know, because when we share knowledge with one another, we all get better at spotting online tricks and knowing how to stay protected.”
