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

Online Safety stories

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CommBank deploys AI bots to disrupt scams, protect Australians
Today
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CommBank has launched AI bots developed with Apate.ai to engage scammers in real-time, disrupting fraud and protecting Australians from scams.
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“Missed package?” Scam fooling thousands
Yesterday
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data protection
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phishing
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advanced persistent threat protection
Thousands of Kiwis are falling victim to evolving package delivery scams exploiting busy inboxes with fake DHL and NZ Post emails.
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Optus workshop helps over 1,000 students tackle online AI threats
Last week
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digital literacy
Over 1,000 Australian students joined Optus' Digital Thumbprint workshop to learn how to identify AI threats like deepfakes, scams, and online extortion.
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Audra Security launches in UK with focus on homes & small firms
Last month
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firewalls
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network security
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smart home
Audra Security launches in the UK, offering easy-to-use internet security products for homes and small businesses without requiring IT expertise.
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VinciWorks unveils AI-driven tool for smarter learning
Last month
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dei
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e-learning
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risk & compliance
VinciWorks has launched Conversational Learning, an AI-driven compliance training tool using voice and text interactions to boost engagement and retention.
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Optus offers free AUD $300 AI search to mobile customers
Last month
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Optus offers new and existing mobile customers a free 12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro, an AI search valued at AUD $300, enhancing access to AI tools.
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KnowBe4 Shares Five Cyber Tips for National Internet Safety Month
Last month
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online safety
KnowBe4 offers five key cybersecurity tips this June for National Internet Safety Month to help individuals and organisations boost online security.
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Fortinet launches free digital safety curriculum for all schools
Thu, 29th May 2025
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breach prevention
Fortinet has launched a free digital safety curriculum for all Australian schools, aiming to boost cyber resilience among students and educators nationwide.
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Palo Alto Networks and Quitch launch new cyber training modules
Fri, 23rd May 2025
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edutech
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firewalls
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it training
Palo Alto Networks partners with Quitch to launch free, interactive cybersecurity training on a gamified platform using spaced repetition learning techniques.
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Crypto job scams in Australia cost victims USD $9.3 billion
Thu, 8th May 2025
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online safety
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online fraud
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cybercrime
An Infoblox investigation exposes how recruitment scams on Telegram target Australians with fake jobs, demanding crypto payments to continue employment.
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Carnival Internet UK launches with eco pledges & fair pricing
Thu, 8th May 2025
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online safety
Carnival Internet UK launches full-fibre broadband with fair pricing, eco initiatives, and charity donations to tackle digital poverty and loyalty tax practices.
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Cyber experts urge parental controls as teen online risks rise
Wed, 30th Apr 2025
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physical security
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digital entertainment
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cybersecurity
Norton highlights the rising digital risks teens face, urging parents to use controls and communication for safer online experiences amid Netflix's Adolescence series.
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Half of New Zealanders overwhelmed by notification overload
Tue, 22nd Apr 2025
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email
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social media
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productivity
Half of New Zealanders feel overwhelmed by digital notifications, with social media and emails disrupting wellbeing and productivity, finds 2degrees research.
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Google blocks 5.1 billion ads & boosts AI ad safeguards
Thu, 17th Apr 2025
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email security
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llms
Google blocked over 5.1bn ads and suspended 39.2m accounts in 2024, using AI advancements to combat ad scams and protect consumers.
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ShareRing joins Australian government trial for age verification
Mon, 14th Apr 2025
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data protection
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data privacy
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social media
Melbourne's ShareRing has joined an AUD $6.5 million government trial to improve age verification for under-16s on social media, using innovative digital ID technology.
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Meta enhances safety with new features for teen accounts
Wed, 9th Apr 2025
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facebook
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instagram
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social media
Meta has announced expanded safety features for its Teen Accounts, enhancing privacy and parental controls for users under 16 amidst growing online safety concerns.
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Rising threats to influencers as cyber attacks escalate
Wed, 9th Apr 2025
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mfa
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phishing
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email security
Bitdefender reports a dramatic rise in cybercrime targeting social media influencers, uncovering over 9,000 malicious livestreams on YouTube in 2024.
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Revolut report highlights surge in Telegram, WhatsApp scams
Thu, 3rd Apr 2025
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email security
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cybersecurity
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whatsapp
Revolut's latest report reveals Meta platforms are the primary source of scams affecting consumers, with reported cases rising significantly in Australia and globally.
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Australian councils urged to boost cyber threat training
Wed, 2nd Apr 2025
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ransomware
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digital transformation
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phishing
Cyberattacks on Australian local councils are surging, with under half providing essential cybersecurity training, leaving systems vulnerable to breaches.
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AI & data breaches drive rise in sextortion scams
Wed, 26th Mar 2025
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mfa
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blockchain
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data privacy
Sextortion scams are surging globally, with New Zealand reporting a staggering 137% increase in 2025, driven by AI and recent data breaches.