In the 25-odd years since we all excitedly bought our first mobile phones, the devices have evolved from chunky bricks that did not much more than a landline, to slim, super-computers that allow us to video chat with friends around the world, navigate unfamiliar suburbs in real-time, and order deliveries straight to our doors. The integration of our interests, desires and needs with our online worlds has been so gradual and seamless that most of us have barely noticed how invasive it has become. None of the convenient apps on our phones and computers came with warning signs, but experts say big tech companies are using them to scoop up a lot more information about us than we realise, and there are worrying signs that our data may be used against us.
Thankfully, those experts also have plenty of advice to help us keep ourselves, and our data, safe.
1. Stay scam safe
Last year ended with a cyber-security wake-up call when Australia was named the most hacked nation on earth. An average of 22 Australian accounts were breached every minute in October, November and December 2022, according to VPN services company Surfshark. The majority of these occurred because of major breaches of the Medicare and Optus databases, in which criminals stole the names, addresses, dates of birth and medical histories of thousands of Australians. But they weren’t the only hacks.
The biggest risk is that personal data will be sold to cyber criminals who will then use it to try to scam us, or to commit ID fraud. But cyber security expert Mark Rowley says there are steps we can all take to prevent our information being used against us. And our first line of defence is knowledge.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hitting a nerve
Regulating the vagus nerve with its links to depression, anxiety, arthritis and diabetes - could aid physical and mental wellbeing.
Take me to the river
With a slew of new schedules and excursions to explore, the latest river cruises promise to give you experiences and sights you won’t see on the ocean.
The last act
When family patriarch Tom Edwards passes away, his children must come together to build his coffin in four days, otherwise they will lose their inheritance. Can they put their sibling rivalry aside?
MEET RUSSIA'S BRAVEST WOMEN
When Alexei Navalny died in a brutal Arctic prison, Vladimir Putin thought he had triumphed over his most formidable opponent. Until three courageous women - Alexei's mother, wife and daughter - took up his fight for freedom.
The wines and lines mums
Once only associated with glamorous A-listers, cocaine is now prevalent with the soccer-mum set - as likely to be imbibed at a school fundraiser as a nightclub. The Weekly looks inside this illegal, addictive, rising trend.
Jenny Liddle-Bob.Lucy McDonald.Sasha Green - Why don't you know their names?
Indigenous women are being murdered at frightening rates, their deaths often left uninvestigated and widely unreported. Here The Weekly meets families who are battling grief and desperate for solutions.
Growing happiness
Through drought flood and heartbreak, Jenny Jennr's sunflowers bloom with hope, sunshine and joy
"Thank God we make each other laugh"
A shared sense of humour has seen Aussie comedy couple Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall conquer the world. But what does life look like when the cameras go down:
Winter baking with apples and pears
Celebrate the season of Australian apples and pears with these sweet bakes that will keep the midwinter blues away.
Budget dinner winners
Looking for some thrifty inspiration for weeknight dinners? Try our tasty line-up of low-cost recipes that are bound to please everyone at the table.
