Social Engineering stories

Nearly 24% of Instagram posts tagged as ‘quick-money’ offers are linked to money mule recruitment, posing major challenges for law enforcement and platforms.

Nearly half of retailers face rising AI-driven cyber attacks, with just 25% prepared for these sophisticated threats amid growing supply chain security concerns.

Australian public sector faces a growing IT skills shortage, complicating efforts to counter rising cyber threats amid rapid digital transformation.

Phishing attacks surged in 2025, with a 67% rise exploiting trusted platforms like Zoom and PayPal, and a 449% increase in phone-based vishing incidents targeting businesses.

Australian organisations face increasing ransomware threats from top groups like Qilin, Akira, Scattered Spider, impacting sectors from healthcare to education and business.

Iran-linked cyber spies have combined tactics from multiple hacking groups in a new phishing campaign targeting US experts on Iranian politics and the IRGC.

AI-driven cyber threats are escalating in Australia, with criminals deploying deepfakes and malware that evolves to bypass security, warns Google's Andrew Aston.

Google’s threat team warns that hackers are now using AI to create self-modifying malware and evade defences.

Cybercriminals exploit remote monitoring tools to steal USD $34 billion in cargo globally, targeting trucking firms amid growing digital supply chain risks.

Google warns of a surge in cyber espionage targeting Asia-Pacific summits in 2026, alongside rising scams using false base stations and tighter supply chain cybersecurity rules.

Norton has launched its AI-powered Scam Protection globally for all Norton 360 and mobile users, enhancing defence against scams at no extra cost.

Norton has extended its AI-powered scam protection to New Zealand and globally, boosting defences across web, email, SMS, videos, and calls for all Norton users.

KnowBe4 research shows personalised phishing emails mimicking HR or IT cause highest employee click rates, exploiting trust in internal communications.

Tech leaders across Oceania face AI threats, regulatory challenges and workforce shortages as key tech priorities for 2026, ISACA research shows.

UK retailers like M&S and Harrods face soaring AI-driven phishing and vishing scams, with phone attacks rising 449% and losses hitting hundreds of millions.

Panaseer reveals 70% of major cyber breaches stem from toxic combinations of minor risks compounding, causing greater vulnerabilities and severe consequences.

Ransom payments fell to a historic low of 23% in Q3 2025 as cyber extortion tactics shift towards targeted, costlier attacks on larger firms.

Rapid7 warns AI and quantum computing will escalate cyber threats, urging firms to adopt advanced defences and post-quantum cryptography amid rising hybrid attacks.

Despite high confidence in ransomware readiness, 55% of ANZ firms struggle with slow recovery, lagging behind UK and US in rapid ransomware response.

Cyber resilience is now a critical CFO challenge, with cybersecurity failures directly impacting Australian companies' financial health and regulatory compliance.