Wordle has been hacked – but that’s not going to ruin the fun

John Dixon, University of Hull There’s no question about it. Wordle, the simple English-language word game created by software engineer Josh Wardle, is a viral hit. If you’ve tried Wordle, there’s a good chance that, like me, you’re hooked. Since the game quietly hit the internet in October 2021, the number of people playing has… Continue reading Wordle has been hacked – but that’s not going to ruin the fun

Why are there so many data breaches? A growing industry of criminals is brokering in stolen data

James Martin, Deakin University and Chad Whelan, Deakin University New details have emerged on the severity of the Medibank hack, which has now affected all users. Optus, Medibank, Woolworths, and, last Friday, electricity provider Energy Australia are all now among the household names that have fallen victim to a data breach. If it seems like… Continue reading Why are there so many data breaches? A growing industry of criminals is brokering in stolen data

Before paying a ransom, hacked companies should consider their ethics and values

Michael Parent, Simon Fraser University https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/before-paying-a-ransom–hacked-companies-should-consider-their-ethics-and-values The recent cyberattacks in August on Bombardier Recreational Products and the Ontario Cannabis Store highlight the continuing scourge of cyber criminals and ransomware. Ransomware is a piece of malware — malicious software — code that gets into an information system and blocks access to the computer or its files… Continue reading Before paying a ransom, hacked companies should consider their ethics and values

Why are there so many text scams all of a sudden?

Gareth Norris, Aberystwyth University and Alexandra Brookes, Aberystwyth University A new “fraud wave” has been reported in the UK, targeting mobile phone users with texts that, at first glance, appear to be from delivery companies or government institutions. https://embed-player.newsoveraudio.com/v4?key=x84olp&id=https://theconversation.com/why-are-there-so-many-text-scams-all-of-a-sudden-161909&bgColor=F5F5F5&color=D8352A&playColor=D8352A You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here. You may even… Continue reading Why are there so many text scams all of a sudden?

Medibank hackers are now releasing stolen data on the dark web. If you’re affected, here’s what you need to know

Jeffrey Foster, Macquarie University and Jennifer J. Williams, Macquarie University On October 13 one of Australia’s largest medical insurers, Medibank, announced it had suffered a cyberattack – one which has resulted in the breached personal details of 9.7 million customers in Australia. We now know the hackers, who are almost certainly Russian, demanded a ransom… Continue reading Medibank hackers are now releasing stolen data on the dark web. If you’re affected, here’s what you need to know

Inside a ransomware attack: how dark webs of cybercriminals collaborate to pull them off

David S. Wall, University of Leeds In their Carbis Bay communique, the G7 announced their intention to work together to tackle ransomware groups. Days later, US president Joe Biden met with Russian president Vladimir Putin, where an extradition process to bring Russian cybercriminals to justice in the US was discussed. Putin reportedly agreed in principle,… Continue reading Inside a ransomware attack: how dark webs of cybercriminals collaborate to pull them off

Apple’s PassKeys update could make traditional passwords obsolete

Paul Haskell-Dowland, Edith Cowan University and Steven Furnell, University of Nottingham Sometimes it seems like passwords have been with us forever, and yet every year we’re reminded how we still don’t use them properly! The annual publication of the “worst passwords” list shows we haven’t become much more password savvy over the decade. And while… Continue reading Apple’s PassKeys update could make traditional passwords obsolete

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Just 25% of businesses are insured against cyber attacks. Here’s why

Jongkil Jay Jeong, Deakin University and Robin Doss, Deakin University In the past financial year, the Australian Cyber Security Centre received 76,000 cyber-crime reports – on average, one every seven minutes. The year before, it was a report every eight minutes. The year before that, every ten minutes. The growth of cyber crime means it… Continue reading Just 25% of businesses are insured against cyber attacks. Here’s why

Cybercrime insurance is making the ransomware problem worse

Subhajit Basu, University of Leeds Cybercrime insurance is making the ransomware problem worse During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was another outbreak in cyberspace: a digital epidemic driven by ransomware. Several organisations worldwide fell victim to cyber-extortionists who stole data either to sell to other criminals or held it as a ransom for a profit. The… Continue reading Cybercrime insurance is making the ransomware problem worse

A new cyber taskforce will supposedly ‘hack the hackers’ behind the Medibank breach. It could put a target on Australia’s back

Mamoun Alazab, Charles Darwin University The Australian government is launching an offensive against cybercriminals, following a data breach that has exposed millions of people’s personal information. On November 12, Minister for Cyber Security Clare O’Neil announced a taskforce to “hack the hackers” behind the recent Medibank data breach. The taskforce will be a first-of-its-kind permanent,… Continue reading A new cyber taskforce will supposedly ‘hack the hackers’ behind the Medibank breach. It could put a target on Australia’s back