Latest news with #AustralianInstituteofCriminology
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Almost half of Australian internet users, victims of cybercrime: Govt report
Almost half of Australian internet users were the victim of a cybercrime in the last 12 months, a government report published on Thursday said. The report, which was compiled by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) based on surveys of over 10,000 internet users, found that 47.4 per cent of respondents said they had been a victim of a cybercrime in the preceding 12 months. Almost two-thirds of respondents, 63.9 per cent, said they had been a victim of at least one cybercrime in their lifetime. Online abuse and harassment were the most common forms of cybercrime, affecting 26.8 per cent of survey participants in the last 12 months, followed by identity crime, malware, and fraud and scams, reports Xinhua news agency. The most common type of fraud and scams reported over the 12-month period was victims paying money or providing sensitive information when they were trying to buy a product or service from a fake or fraudulent seller online. Among all respondents, 20 per cent said they were victims of two or more types of cybercrimes in the 12 months prior to the survey. The survey found that 50.7 per cent of Australians used different passwords for secure online accounts in 2024, down from 53.2 per cent in 2023. The proportion of Australians who regularly updated their passwords on secure accounts, used a secure password manager and used password protection on their router also declined. Earlier, in late July, Australia announced that it would include YouTube in its world-first social media ban for children younger than 16 after initially granting the platform an exemption. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Anika Wells, the minister for communications, said at a press conference in Canberra that the federal government has accepted a recommendation from its online safety regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, to include YouTube in the social media ban. YouTube was initially granted an exemption from the ban, which will come into effect from December 10, due to its education and health content, but eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in formal advice to the government in June that the platform exposes children to harmful content.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
BTN Newsbreak 14/08/2025
CYBERCRIME REPORT A new report from the Australian Institute of Criminology has found that nearly half of Australians experienced cybercrime last year. Yeah, the digital world provides a lot of opportunities for crafty criminals, and a lot of Aussies are getting caught out. See, the Australian Institute of Criminology or the AIC has just released its latest cybercrime report and found that around 47% of us have been the victim of a cybercrime in the last 12 months, with identity theft, malware, and scams being some of the most common crimes. While some people said they were pretty tech savvy, the AIC reckons this confidence could be why some people are letting their guard down. So as cybercrime becomes more sophisticated, the AIC is calling for Aussies to stay safe online by remembering to always install the latest software updates, use unique passwords, and enable multifactor authentication wherever you can. EUROPE WILDFIRES Countries in southern Europe have been battling extreme wildfires. Thousands of people have been evacuated as firefighters and volunteers battle the intense blazes in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Türkiye and the Balkans, which are being fanned by a record-breaking heatwave and strong winds. At least 3 people have died, and authorities say the extreme heat will likely continue over the coming days, prompting some countries to call for urgent aid from the European Union. HAIR TOOTHPASTE We all know it's important to brush our teeth, and scientists in London reckon they've now come up with the ultimate tooth protecting toothpaste which is made from hair! According to Scientists from King's College in London, hair could be the key to good oral health! Sort of. See, our teeth are coated in a natural protective layer called Enamel, but when Enamel gets damaged from things like acidic food and drink, poor oral hygiene and ageing, it doesn't repair itself and can lead to tooth decay, pain, and eventually losing teeth completely! But hair contains a protein called Keratin, and the King's College scientists found that when Keratin comes into contact with minerals in saliva, it forms a crystal-like protective coating similar to enamel. But it's a little more complicated than just putting hair in your mouth. The Keratin is actually extracted, and can then be used as a gel, or toothpaste. Keratin doesn't just come from human hair either, but also skin and animal wool. While the scientists reckon hair toothpaste will transform dentistry, it won't be available for another two or three years, so, in the meantime hair styles and good smiles won't have any crossover. DUST SLIPPER First up, to slippers made out of an unusual material: dust. Yeah, I'm talking vacuumed fresh off the floor, household dust. Rahat is a design graduate from Ravensbourne uni in London, and says he takes out bits of hair, sticks and other debris before flattening it out and heating his dust fabric to kill bacteria. BAKED BEAN RECORD And finally to the moment these four gentlemen broke the world record for eating the most baked beans with a toothpick in 3 minutes. That's David Rush, who's a bit of a world record legend, he currently holds more than 300 titles! Including this one, now.
Barnama
6 days ago
- Barnama
Almost Half Of Australian Internet Users, Victims Of Cybercrime: Gov't Report
CANBERRA, Aug 14 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Almost half of Australian internet users were the victim of a cybercrime in the last 12 months, a government report published on Thursday said, according to Xinhua. The report, which was compiled by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) based on surveys of over 10,000 internet users, found that 47.4 per cent of respondents said they had been a victim of a cybercrime in the preceding 12 months. Almost two-thirds of respondents, 63.9 per cent, said they had been a victim of at least one cybercrime in their lifetime.
SBS Australia
6 days ago
- SBS Australia
Increased harm: The crimes nearly half of Australians have fallen victim to
A survey of more than 10,000 Australians online found nearly half have been victims of cybercrimes, including scammers hacking data and stealing money. A report from the Australian Institute of Criminology found identity theft accounted for more than one-in-five victims (22 per cent), while fraudsters and scammers duped almost one-in-10 (9.5 per cent). Some of the respondents either paid money or provided sensitive information to a scammer offering them either the false promise of an inheritance, share in a large sum of money or a holiday package in exchange for their help. The Cybercrime in Australia 2024 report also showed 27 per cent were targeted with online abuse or harassment, which is classified as a cybercrime. The harms 'extend beyond financial losses' Vulnerable groups targeted by the range of crimes included young people, Indigenous Australians, LGBTIQ+ communities and people with disabilities. First Nations respondents had a significantly higher prevalence of victimisation across all types of cybercrime. The institute says the survey helps map out who is more likely to fall victim to cybercrime. It also showed more people needed to reach out to authorities, deputy director Rick Brown said. "Overall, rates of cybercrime victimisation remain high, reporting to police and ReportCyber remains low, and a large proportion of victims are negatively impacted by cybercrime," Brown said. "These harms extend beyond financial losses." The report found an increase in social and health harms among victims. Those surveyed said the most common forms of online abuse and harassment they experienced were being sent unsolicited sexually explicit material followed by someone hacking into their social media accounts. Posting mean or hurtful messages that made respondents feel hurt, embarrassed or unsafe also made the cut. When asked about the most recent incident, nearly half of these victims (47 per cent) said it involved a stranger online. Small and medium business owners also faced disproportionate risks, with nearly 25 per cent of them more likely to seek help from authorities compared to 18 per cent in 2023. While there was no change in average financial losses after recoveries, the proportion of identity crime and misuse victims who recovered money increased from 75 per cent to 82 per cent. Brown urged people to be more pro-active in protecting themselves online by using secure passwords and installing security updates, with the report finding the rates "worryingly low".
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- The Advertiser
ID theft, scams and online abuse top cybercrime threats
Nearly half of Australia's internet users experienced some form of cybercrime in the past year, a survey of more than 10,000 people shows. A report from the Australian Institute of Criminology found identity theft accounted for more than one-in-five victims (22 per cent), while fraudsters and scammers duped almost one-in-10 (9.5 per cent). Some of the respondents either paid money or provided sensitive information to a scammer offering them either the false promise of an inheritance, share in a large sum of money or a holiday package in exchange for their help. The Cybercrime in Australia 2024 report also showed 27 per cent were targeted with online abuse or harassment, which is classified as a cybercrime. Vulnerable groups targeted by the range of crimes included young people, Indigenous Australians, LGBTQI communities and people with disabilities. First Nations respondents had a significantly higher prevalence of victimisation across all types of cybercrime The institute says the survey helps map out who is more likely to fall victim to cybercrime. It also showed more people needed to reach out to authorities, deputy director Rick Brown said. "Overall, rates of cybercrime victimisation remain high, reporting to police and ReportCyber remains low, and a large proportion of victims are negatively impacted by cybercrime," Dr Brown told AAP. "These harms extend beyond financial losses." The report found an increase in social and health harms among victims. Those surveyed said the most common forms of online abuse and harassment they experienced were being sent unsolicited sexually explicit material followed by someone hacking into their social media accounts. Posting mean or hurtful messages that made respondents feel hurt, embarrassed or unsafe also made the cut. When asked about the most recent incident, nearly half of these victims (47 per cent) said it involved a stranger online. Small and medium business owners also faced disproportionate risks, with nearly 25 per cent of them more likely to seek help from authorities compared to 18 per cent in 2023. While there was no change in average financial losses after recoveries, the proportion of identity crime and misuse victims who recovered money increased from 75 per cent to 82 per cent. Dr Brown urged people to be more pro-active in protecting themselves online by using secure passwords and installing security updates, with the report finding the rates "worryingly low". Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Nearly half of Australia's internet users experienced some form of cybercrime in the past year, a survey of more than 10,000 people shows. A report from the Australian Institute of Criminology found identity theft accounted for more than one-in-five victims (22 per cent), while fraudsters and scammers duped almost one-in-10 (9.5 per cent). Some of the respondents either paid money or provided sensitive information to a scammer offering them either the false promise of an inheritance, share in a large sum of money or a holiday package in exchange for their help. The Cybercrime in Australia 2024 report also showed 27 per cent were targeted with online abuse or harassment, which is classified as a cybercrime. Vulnerable groups targeted by the range of crimes included young people, Indigenous Australians, LGBTQI communities and people with disabilities. First Nations respondents had a significantly higher prevalence of victimisation across all types of cybercrime The institute says the survey helps map out who is more likely to fall victim to cybercrime. It also showed more people needed to reach out to authorities, deputy director Rick Brown said. "Overall, rates of cybercrime victimisation remain high, reporting to police and ReportCyber remains low, and a large proportion of victims are negatively impacted by cybercrime," Dr Brown told AAP. "These harms extend beyond financial losses." The report found an increase in social and health harms among victims. Those surveyed said the most common forms of online abuse and harassment they experienced were being sent unsolicited sexually explicit material followed by someone hacking into their social media accounts. Posting mean or hurtful messages that made respondents feel hurt, embarrassed or unsafe also made the cut. When asked about the most recent incident, nearly half of these victims (47 per cent) said it involved a stranger online. Small and medium business owners also faced disproportionate risks, with nearly 25 per cent of them more likely to seek help from authorities compared to 18 per cent in 2023. While there was no change in average financial losses after recoveries, the proportion of identity crime and misuse victims who recovered money increased from 75 per cent to 82 per cent. Dr Brown urged people to be more pro-active in protecting themselves online by using secure passwords and installing security updates, with the report finding the rates "worryingly low". Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Nearly half of Australia's internet users experienced some form of cybercrime in the past year, a survey of more than 10,000 people shows. A report from the Australian Institute of Criminology found identity theft accounted for more than one-in-five victims (22 per cent), while fraudsters and scammers duped almost one-in-10 (9.5 per cent). Some of the respondents either paid money or provided sensitive information to a scammer offering them either the false promise of an inheritance, share in a large sum of money or a holiday package in exchange for their help. The Cybercrime in Australia 2024 report also showed 27 per cent were targeted with online abuse or harassment, which is classified as a cybercrime. Vulnerable groups targeted by the range of crimes included young people, Indigenous Australians, LGBTQI communities and people with disabilities. First Nations respondents had a significantly higher prevalence of victimisation across all types of cybercrime The institute says the survey helps map out who is more likely to fall victim to cybercrime. It also showed more people needed to reach out to authorities, deputy director Rick Brown said. "Overall, rates of cybercrime victimisation remain high, reporting to police and ReportCyber remains low, and a large proportion of victims are negatively impacted by cybercrime," Dr Brown told AAP. "These harms extend beyond financial losses." The report found an increase in social and health harms among victims. Those surveyed said the most common forms of online abuse and harassment they experienced were being sent unsolicited sexually explicit material followed by someone hacking into their social media accounts. Posting mean or hurtful messages that made respondents feel hurt, embarrassed or unsafe also made the cut. When asked about the most recent incident, nearly half of these victims (47 per cent) said it involved a stranger online. Small and medium business owners also faced disproportionate risks, with nearly 25 per cent of them more likely to seek help from authorities compared to 18 per cent in 2023. While there was no change in average financial losses after recoveries, the proportion of identity crime and misuse victims who recovered money increased from 75 per cent to 82 per cent. Dr Brown urged people to be more pro-active in protecting themselves online by using secure passwords and installing security updates, with the report finding the rates "worryingly low". Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Nearly half of Australia's internet users experienced some form of cybercrime in the past year, a survey of more than 10,000 people shows. A report from the Australian Institute of Criminology found identity theft accounted for more than one-in-five victims (22 per cent), while fraudsters and scammers duped almost one-in-10 (9.5 per cent). Some of the respondents either paid money or provided sensitive information to a scammer offering them either the false promise of an inheritance, share in a large sum of money or a holiday package in exchange for their help. The Cybercrime in Australia 2024 report also showed 27 per cent were targeted with online abuse or harassment, which is classified as a cybercrime. Vulnerable groups targeted by the range of crimes included young people, Indigenous Australians, LGBTQI communities and people with disabilities. First Nations respondents had a significantly higher prevalence of victimisation across all types of cybercrime The institute says the survey helps map out who is more likely to fall victim to cybercrime. It also showed more people needed to reach out to authorities, deputy director Rick Brown said. "Overall, rates of cybercrime victimisation remain high, reporting to police and ReportCyber remains low, and a large proportion of victims are negatively impacted by cybercrime," Dr Brown told AAP. "These harms extend beyond financial losses." The report found an increase in social and health harms among victims. Those surveyed said the most common forms of online abuse and harassment they experienced were being sent unsolicited sexually explicit material followed by someone hacking into their social media accounts. Posting mean or hurtful messages that made respondents feel hurt, embarrassed or unsafe also made the cut. When asked about the most recent incident, nearly half of these victims (47 per cent) said it involved a stranger online. Small and medium business owners also faced disproportionate risks, with nearly 25 per cent of them more likely to seek help from authorities compared to 18 per cent in 2023. While there was no change in average financial losses after recoveries, the proportion of identity crime and misuse victims who recovered money increased from 75 per cent to 82 per cent. Dr Brown urged people to be more pro-active in protecting themselves online by using secure passwords and installing security updates, with the report finding the rates "worryingly low". Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
