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

Online Safety Stories

Kiwi Stories

Online Safety stories

New Zealanders hit by scams during big life events
Data Protection

New Zealanders hit by scams during big life events

Middle-aged New Zealanders are increasingly exposed as scammers target house moves, job searches and big purchases, research shows.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • 4 days ago
Tuanz urges stronger New Zealand cyber security rules
Data Protection

Tuanz urges stronger New Zealand cyber security rules

Small businesses face rising scam losses and AI-driven fraud as the association urges mandatory reporting and tougher platform obligations.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last week

Global Stories

Online Safety stories

Yahoo Boys, a persistent menace and one of the longest running online crime cultures
Email Security

Yahoo Boys, a persistent menace and one of the longest running online crime cultures

Yahoo Boys have evolved from email fraud into an AI-enabled cybercrime subculture, using deepfakes, sextortion and social media to target victims worldwide.

By Laura Kankaala • 8 min read • Last week

Stories from Other Regions

Online Safety stories

Confirmation of Payee passes 150 million checks in year
Data Protection

Confirmation of Payee passes 150 million checks in year

The name-checking service is now helping avert scam losses and mistaken payments, with more than 150 million checks completed in its first year.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Yesterday
Savi launches app to fight AI scams & raises USD $7m
Data Protection

Savi launches app to fight AI scams & raises USD $7m

Households hit by AI-driven fraud can now screen suspicious calls and texts as Savi debuts its app and secures USD $7 million.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Yesterday
Mouser warns against viral hacks to cool overheating phones
Bluetooth

Mouser warns against viral hacks to cool overheating phones

Searches for ways to cool overheated handsets have surged as experts warn fridge fixes and ice packs can cause moisture damage.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • 2 days ago
UK social media ban forces youth influencer rethink
YouTube

UK social media ban forces youth influencer rethink

Planned restrictions could strip £1.3 billion from UK digital ad spend in 2027 as brands lose easy access to under-16s online.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • 2 days ago
NannyLane launches childcare marketplace app in Australia
Fintech

NannyLane launches childcare marketplace app in Australia

Parents needing ad hoc cover can now book verified carers through an app that includes checks, reviews and live GPS tracking.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • 2 days ago
Electronic Frontiers Australia joins internet control fight
Gaming

Electronic Frontiers Australia joins internet control fight

Privacy campaigners warn that age checks and identity verification could expand surveillance as the coalition launches in 19 organisations worldwide.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • 3 days ago
EE survey says connected toys dominate UK children's play
Gaming

EE survey says connected toys dominate UK children's play

Parents are increasingly uneasy as connected devices become a staple of play, with many hiding WiFi toys or limiting use to restore balance.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • 4 days ago
Australians face scam risk during major life events
Data Protection

Australians face scam risk during major life events

Stressful milestones like buying a home or job hunting are leaving Australians most exposed to scams, a TrendLife study found.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • 4 days ago
Vector Institute launches open-source writing bias detector
Risk & Compliance

Vector Institute launches open-source writing bias detector

The free tool could help organisations curb discriminatory wording in news, healthcare and HR content as trust in AI remains low in Canada.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Last week
We'll get up at 4am for the Socceroos, cyber-criminals are counting on it
Data Protection

We'll get up at 4am for the Socceroos, cyber-criminals are counting on it

Public Wi-Fi, reused passwords and distracted fans are leaving travelling Australians open to cyber-attacks during World Cup nights abroad.

By Zac Eller • 5 min read • Last week
Norton adds scam checks to Claude across all tiers
Data Protection

Norton adds scam checks to Claude across all tiers

Scam checks are now available to Claude users across all tiers, as Norton embeds its Genie tool to flag suspicious messages and links.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
Shufti named leader in age verification & estimation
Gaming

Shufti named leader in age verification & estimation

Rising regulatory scrutiny is pushing more buyers towards layered checks, after Liminal named Shufti a leader in age verification and estimation.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last week
UK consumers wary of AI shopping agents & payments
Robotics

UK consumers wary of AI shopping agents & payments

Trust remains thin for AI-led shopping, with most UK adults saying they would reject systems that handle spending or payment data.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
Phishing-resistant authentication can prevent tax-time fraud
Multi-factor authentication

Phishing-resistant authentication can prevent tax-time fraud

Fraudsters are exploiting tax season by stealing credentials and filing bogus returns, putting Australian refunds and ATO accounts at risk.

By Anthony Caruana • 5 min read • Last week