The Christmas holiday season brings joy, generosity, and… a flurry of online activity. For many Australians, that means gifts, online shopping, festive greetings, and maybe a new device or two. But it can also attract cyber-scammers looking to take advantage of the hurry and goodwill. At Arafura Consulting & Media, we believe — Smart • Secure • Connected — means enjoying the holidays safely. Here’s how you (and your loved ones) can stay protected online this festive seaso

A newly compiled collection of 1.3 billion unique passwords and 2 billion unique email addresses has been discovered online. This data wasn’t stolen in a single “big breach” of a company or service. Instead, it’s an aggregate, compiled by the threat intelligence firm Synthient, which scoured both the open and dark web to collect credentials from hundreds of past data breaches, lists used for “credential-stuffing,” and logs from malware-infected devices.

Online shopping is a wonderful convenience, from ordering gifts for grandkids, to getting groceries or essentials delivered straight to your door. But shopping online also comes with risks. Cyber criminals often use online stores to try to steal personal or financial information. That’s why it’s wise to take a few simple precautions before you click “Buy”.

Every year, late November brings two big shopping events that started in the United States: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Fake online stores, unbelievable discounts, and dodgy payment links often appear during this period, and all are designed to trick you into handing over money or personal information. The good news? A few simple checks can help you spot a scam before it spots you.