IT Brief New Zealand - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers

Cybercrime stories - Page 11

Any use of network connected electronic devices such as computers or smartphones for criminal activity is classified as cybercrime. With a long history starting with the misuse of telephone systems (such as ‘phreaking’), cybercrime today includes the creation and distribution of viruses, ransomware, keyloggers and other malware, the download and use of malware produced by others, social engineering tactics such as phishing or (physical) impersonation, the theft and use of credentials for accessing computer systems or networks, and the theft of privileged data. Cybercrime is a broad and dynamic field, with cybercriminals constantly adapting their methods in pursuit of usually financial goals, but also occasionally seeking to disrupt, embarrass or shame their targets.
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Why NZ Businesses Must Get Serious About Cybersecurity

Tue, 18th Nov 2025
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New Zealand firms face rising cyber risks as attackers exploit weak controls; experts urge urgent steps to boost defences and test incident plans.
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Cybercrime crackdown disrupts malware, exposes AI attack risks

Tue, 18th Nov 2025
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supply chain
Law enforcement and cybersecurity firms have disrupted major malware networks amid rising risks from AI-driven cyberattacks and escalating supply chain breaches globally.
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Cyber fraud risks rise as focus shifts to obsolete technology

Mon, 17th Nov 2025
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Fraud risks rise as firms overlook obsolete tech; underinvestment in end-of-life IT assets could cost USD $27.1m per breach, warns Iron Mountain's Asia Pacific GM.
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Kiwis warned as holiday surge in SMS scams targets bank details

Mon, 17th Nov 2025
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Kiwis face a surge in SMS scams this holiday season, with fraudsters targeting bank details through fake delivery alerts and urgent messages.
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Job & financial scams surge as cost pressures hit Australia & NZ

Fri, 14th Nov 2025
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cybersecurity
Job and financial scams are rising in Australia and New Zealand as cost-of-living pressures drive more consumers into risky online offers, warns Trend Micro.
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Instagram posts fuel surge in money mule recruitment schemes

Thu, 13th Nov 2025
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risk & compliance
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payment technologies
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facebook
Nearly 24% of Instagram posts tagged as 'quick-money' offers are linked to money mule recruitment, posing major challenges for law enforcement and platforms.
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Retailers face surge in AI-driven cyber threats & supply chain risks

Thu, 13th Nov 2025
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digital transformation
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supply chain
Nearly half of retailers face rising AI-driven cyber attacks, with just 25% prepared for these sophisticated threats amid growing supply chain security concerns.
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AI & ransomware reshape cyber threat landscape, report finds

Thu, 13th Nov 2025
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Rapid7's report reveals cyber threats evolving with AI-powered phishing, rising ransomware alliances, and faster exploitation of vulnerabilities worldwide.
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Phishing attacks surge as criminals exploit trusted platforms in 2025

Wed, 12th Nov 2025
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advanced persistent threat protection
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.
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AI & phishing attacks highlight human risk in Australian fraud

Tue, 11th Nov 2025
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Australian firms face rising fraud risks as AI-driven phishing attacks exploit human error, urging stronger security culture ahead of International Fraud Awareness Week.
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New Zealand's best in cybersecurity honoured at 2025 iSANZ Awards

Sat, 8th Nov 2025
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New Zealand's top cybersecurity experts and organisations were honoured at the 2025 iSANZ Awards amid rising cybercrime losses of NZD $1.6 billion annually.
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Cloud breaches driven by identity failures & process flaws

Thu, 6th Nov 2025
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cloud security
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phishing
ReliaQuest reveals identity compromises and process flaws, not zero-day exploits, drive most cloud breaches, with 99% of cloud identities still over-privileged.
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Cybercriminals exploit remote tools to steal global cargo worth USD $34 billion

Wed, 5th Nov 2025
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malware
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digital transformation
Cybercriminals exploit remote monitoring tools to steal USD $34 billion in cargo globally, targeting trucking firms amid growing digital supply chain risks.
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Google warns of espionage and scams in JAPAC in 2026

Wed, 5th Nov 2025
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supply chain
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.
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Criminologist urges tougher rules on scams after NZD $1.6bn losses

Tue, 4th Nov 2025
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New Zealand faces NZD $1.6bn in scam losses; criminologist urges tougher regulation on social media and telco firms to curb cybercrime syndicates.
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Ransomware attacks surge 28% in September as Industrials sector hit hardest

Thu, 30th Oct 2025
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supply chain
Global ransomware attacks surged 28% in September, with Industrials hardest hit, as cyber criminals ramp up efforts ahead of the busy holiday season.
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Ransom payment rates drop to historic low as attackers adapt

Thu, 30th Oct 2025
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Ransom payments fell to a historic low of 23% in Q3 2025 as cyber extortion tactics shift towards targeted, costlier attacks on larger firms.
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Why now is the time to modernise your SIEM

Thu, 30th Oct 2025
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firewalls
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network security
AI-driven cyber threats demand modern Security Information and Event Management systems to enhance detection, reduce costs, and improve resilience.
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Nightmare on cyber street: Inside 2025's scariest cyber threats

Wed, 29th Oct 2025
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ransomware
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encryption
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advanced persistent threat protection
In 2025, AI-driven cybercrime syndicates like Scattered Spider exploit human trust and quantum threats, forcing firms to rethink cyber resilience and risk management.
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Halloween scams spike as 63% of festive spam found malicious

Wed, 29th Oct 2025
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Bitdefender reports a 63% rise in malicious Halloween spam, with scams posing as festive giveaways and retail offers to steal data or spread malware.