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Australian Stories

Online Safety stories

Exclusive: Media.com helps verify users amidst Australia's U16 social media ban
Data Protection

Exclusive: Media.com helps verify users amidst Australia's U16 social media ban

As Australia clamps down on under-16s online, Media.com bets its fully verified social network can profit from the global safety push.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Fri, 12th Dec 2025
To usher in a new online era, the industry must step up for Australia's families too
Data Protection

To usher in a new online era, the industry must step up for Australia's families too

Australia's new social media ban tests tech, parents and business to protect teens, demanding deeper digital literacy and safer algorithms.

By Alex Coates • 3 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
Media.com bets on verified users as social rules tighten
Data Protection

Media.com bets on verified users as social rules tighten

Media.com touts a fully verified social network as Australia and other nations tighten age limits and safety rules on big platforms.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
Avast warns of surge in fake online shops in Australia
Phishing

Avast warns of surge in fake online shops in Australia

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

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Mon, 8th Dec 2025
Digimune & MY CYBER GUARD launch Aussie ID shield
Data Protection

Digimune & MY CYBER GUARD launch Aussie ID shield

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

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 8th Dec 2025

Global Stories

Online Safety stories

Australia under-16 social media ban sparks backlash
Data Protection

Australia under-16 social media ban sparks backlash

Australia's under-16 social media ban faces mounting criticism amid doubts over age checks, privacy risks and the impact on advertisers.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Fri, 12th Dec 2025
Fake Leonardo DiCaprio torrent spreads Agent Tesla trojan
Endpoint Protection

Fake Leonardo DiCaprio torrent spreads Agent Tesla trojan

Fake torrents of Leonardo DiCaprio film One Battle After Another are spreading Agent Tesla malware that hijacks Windows PCs, experts warn.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
Australians lose AUD $432 each on fake online tickets
Payment Technologies

Australians lose AUD $432 each on fake online tickets

One in five Australians has been duped by fake online tickets, losing an average AUD $432 as scams surge ahead of the busy summer events season.

By Melvin Hipolito • 5 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
Australia youth social media ban reshapes brand risk
Data Protection

Australia youth social media ban reshapes brand risk

Australia's youth social media ban forces brands and cyber experts to rethink risk, digital literacy and how they reach young audiences.

By Kaleah Salmon • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Dec 2025
Softonic issues guide to avoid scams in festive sales
Firewalls

Softonic issues guide to avoid scams in festive sales

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

By Kaleah Salmon • 5 min read • Tue, 9th Dec 2025

Stories from Other Regions

Online Safety stories

AI identity fraud fears surging among UK homebuyers
Data Protection

AI identity fraud fears surging among UK homebuyers

UK homebuyers fear AI-fuelled ID fraud as two-thirds worry about fake documents yet still share sensitive data via email and messaging apps.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Wed, 17th Dec 2025
AI deepfake scams surge as New Zealand losses mount
Multi-factor authentication

AI deepfake scams surge as New Zealand losses mount

AI-fuelled deepfake scams are surging in New Zealand, with losses topping NZD $5 million a quarter as fraudsters weaponise new tech.

By Sean Mitchell • 6 min read • Tue, 16th Dec 2025
Most UK parents back plans to cap kids' social media use
Gaming

Most UK parents back plans to cap kids' social media use

Two thirds of UK parents back government plans to cap children's social media at two hours a day, new Uswitch research suggests.

By Shannon Williams • 5 min read • Fri, 12th Dec 2025
Festive-season cyber fraud surges as shoppers seek discounts
Multi-factor authentication

Festive-season cyber fraud surges as shoppers seek discounts

Festive-season cyber fraud is surging across India, with Karnataka alone reporting losses above INR ₹2,000 crores, experts warn.

By Catherine Knowles • 5 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
NZTech rebrands as Tech New Zealand, uniting groups
Software-as-a-Service

NZTech rebrands as Tech New Zealand, uniting groups

NZTech has rebranded as Tech New Zealand, uniting 16 tech Communities and the wider Tech Alliance under one national ecosystem voice.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025
NZ MPs unite over child social media safety push
Samsung

NZ MPs unite over child social media safety push

New Zealand MPs unite across party lines to back under-16 social media curbs after a shocking 'Worst Children's Library' exhibit at Parliament.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Dec 2025
AI-driven cybercrime to reshape online trust by 2026
Multi-factor authentication

AI-driven cybercrime to reshape online trust by 2026

AI-fuelled cybercrime will outpace human intuition by 2026, as deepfakes, emotional scams and synthetic identities erode online trust.

By Melania Watson • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Dec 2025