‘Alarming' AI powered scams targeting Australians
Tech Guide Editor Stephen Fenech discusses the latest AI powered scams and how Australians can tackle the issue and protect their data.
'This is alarming … some of the methods of scams has really gone up to another level thanks to AI,' Mr Fenech told Sky News Australia.
'A lot of people have unfortunately given up their details … and their accounts have been compromised.
'Make sure you've got the latest version of all that software because if you don't have that protection, you could easily be led to these sites.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
44 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
Bridging mid-market productivity gap – why implementing AI is key
Recently, KPMG in collaboration with The University of Melbourne, released Trust, attitudes and use of Artificial Intelligence: A global study. The report found that with AI, employees reported increased efficiency, effectiveness, access to information and innovation. Two thirds (65 per cent) of Australians said their employer uses AI, and 49 per cent of employees said they are intentionally using AI on a regular basis. But the use of AI at work was creating complex risks for organisations. Almost half of employees (48 per cent) admitted to using AI in ways that contravene company policies, including uploading sensitive company information into free public AI tools like ChatGPT. We're now seeing mid-market businesses start to implement systems that communicate, collate and adapt in real time, as they work through some of these challenges. And when done effectively, the pros of implementing AI solutions can outweigh the cons. Organisations making AI-driven productivity gains are curating their approach to fit their risk appetite and business strategy, with a clear focus on: Data as a strategic asset. Organisations that win in the decade ahead will use data to power real-time decision-making. The rise in sensors and cloud technology has created vast amounts of data. The major challenge for organisations today is how to distil all the data they are collecting to drive real-time, informed decisions for better customer experience. AI to build trust, empower labour, and accelerate productivity. Organisations that responsibly embrace AI can unlock labour productivity. In a tight labour market, sourcing the right talent and uplifting skills will be a strategic mid-market differentiator. Cloud and data management as a core foundation. Organisations that are effective at digital transformation and have strong cloud and data foundations are seeing the highest return on investment. Security and privacy. Cyber security teams are under pressure to keep up with evolving threats. With the vast amounts of data and sophistication of threat agents, the mid-market must have the right security and identity foundations to help mitigate against cyber risks. For Australian mid-market businesses, strategically adopting AI can present a major opportunity. As they work towards closing the productivity gap, mid-market leaders must recognise AI as more than an innovation – it's a framework for success.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Space to Gympie and beyond: satellite texts go live
A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage." A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage." A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage." A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage."
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Perth Now
Space to Gympie and beyond: satellite texts go live
A farmer stuck in the back paddock without mobile reception can now send a text message, a GPS location and even the ubiquitous cowboy emoji via satellite technology. Farmers will be among Telstra customers able to use Australia's first satellite-to-mobile text messaging service from Tuesday morning as the telco begins rolling out its collaboration with SpaceX. Samsung Galaxy S25 series users will be able to connect to Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, allowing them to send texts from outdoor locations beyond the Telstra mobile network. Other devices, including Apple iPhones, will be enabled in coming weeks or months, while satellite voice and low-speed data may come online sometime after 2027. The technology will particularly benefit regional Australians, Telstra executive Channa Seneviratne said. "I was up in the Gympie shire (in Queensland) talking to a farmer who said he had some really remote paddocks and didn't have mobile coverage there," Mr Seneviratne told AAP. "He said he works late and he'd like to let the family know that he's OK ... so this product is perfect for those sorts of uses. "It's a really exciting advancement in our technology for this massive land area that we call home." Engineers have been testing the technology for much of 2025, going to far-flung places across Australia to check whether they can send texts, GPS coordinates and emojis via satellite. Telstra has faced backlash from regional Australians in recent months after the closure of the 3G network in October left some in rural areas with patchy coverage. The Regional Telecommunications Review also heard of unreliable mobile coverage in country areas, including in emergencies and after natural disasters. Major telcos have long maintained improved satellite technology could bridge some of those gaps, with Starlink broadband connecting rural Australians for years. Satellites are among several advances, along with repurposing the 3G spectrum for the 5G network, Mr Seneviratne said. "Of course, we accept Aussies want more and we want to do more," he said. The new service would not connect users directly to triple zero, but may help people get in touch with family or friends during an emergency. "It's a move towards providing an additional safety net for all of those customers who live, work and play outside of terrestrial coverage."
