56% Of Australian Workers Victim To Phishing Scam
Us Australians are a strange breed. You could say we have a natural aversion to authority or at least being told what to do. This is evidenced by the hero status we have given outlaw Ned Kelly and the fact that a lot of us can track our ancestry back to at least one convicted criminal. So what does our disdain for authority have to do with being hacked? Here are some telling statistics on the matter.
56% Of Australian Office Workers Have Fallen Victim To Phishing Scams
Are we just a little more gullible than the rest of the world, or is it just the ‘she’ll be right attitude’ that leaves us more vulnerable than our colonial cousins? The statistics suggest it’s a bit of both, with 90% of Australians surveyed stating they were confident they could identify a scam from a genuine inquiry. It’s a dangerous combo of overconfidence and being a bit lackadaisical about the whole thing, kind of like a speeding P Plater in a Subaru Impreza.
If you don’t know what phishing is, think of all the phone calls or emails you have received from Anike the Nigerian prince who is just a little strapped for cash right now. Phishing basically is the term used for scammers posing as reputable organizations or individuals to extract money, information or data from you. These scams are designed to catch you off guard, and are normally made to feel urgent in order to prompt you into making a spur of the moment decision, although they do come in all shapes and sizes.
Only 30% Of Us Change Our Password After Being Affected By A Phishing Scam
This is possibly the most alarming statistic. After being told that suspicious activity has occurred on our account, only 30% of us can actually be bothered to change our passwords. Basically we are blasé about the whole thing, which is worrying because getting scammed can be more serious than tying down a trailer giving it a quick check and saying ‘she’ll be right’. There can be severe financial and legal problems that stem from us either having our details stolen, or in some cases our identity stolen. In the worst case scenario you could wake up to ASIO kicking your door down and raiding you like Ragnar Lothbrok for your supposed fake iPhone racket in Mumbai.
Australians Are Scammed Out Of $500,000,000 Annually
That equates to roughly 250,000,000 bunnings snags, which is outrageous. The worst part is that this money is a complete economic wastage and goes to the worst possible people. Luckily, being involved in a scam is avoidable with a little know how. Here are some handy hints to help you avoid your financial status aligning with the Greek Economy.
How To Not Get Scammed 101
- Never trust emails that ask for your personal details — If you are a customer of a business, they already have your personal details. They don’t need to email you to ask.
- Don’t give personal details online unless you can verify the website’s legitimacy — Google the brand, ask a friend, do your research.
- Check the domain attached to emails you receive from brands — If you receive an email from 2323info@cmnwlthbnk.com.au it probably is not the Commonwealth bank even if the design of the email looks legitimate.
- Change your passwords every 3 months — It’s a pain I know, but so is having your identity stolen
There you have it! Listen to the above advice and everything should be:
Thanks for reading and stay safe!
*All statistics from this article were taken from American Cyber Security Company Webroot.
