Tax time in Australia can feel stressful enough without scammers trying to take advantage of you. Unfortunately, every year, cyber criminals ramp up their efforts to trick everyday Australians into handing over personal information, money, or access to their accounts. At Arafura Consulting & Media, we’re seeing a steady rise in scams targeting people through emails, text messages, and even phone calls pretending to be from trusted organisations like the ATO. But it's not ba

If you’re tired of trying to remember passwords, resetting forgotten logins, or worrying about scams and hackers, there’s good news — a new system called passkeys is beginning to replace passwords altogether. Big companies, like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, now support passkeys across phones, tablets, and computers. Experts are increasingly recommending them because they are easier to use and much harder for scammers to steal. Take your security to the next level with our

It started quietly. A normal Sunday morning in Darwin. A cup of tea, a familiar routine, and a quick check of the bank account, something this elderly woman had done countless times before. But this time was different. She saw a large transfer between her accounts (many tens of thousands of dollars). The money had moved… but she had no memory of doing it. That moment, in that flicker of confusion, was the first real warning that something had changed....

Social media has become one of the easiest ways to stay in touch with family and friends. Whether it’s seeing photos of the grandkids, catching up with old mates, or joining local community groups, platforms like Facebook have made it simple and enjoyable. But it also comes with risks. Scammers, fake accounts, and misleading information are becoming more common. The good news is that with a few simple habits, you can enjoy social media safely and confidently. Learn how, rig

At Arafura Consulting & Media, we often talk about scams, phishing, and online threats. However, sometimes the biggest risks don’t come from criminals at all—they come from simple, human moments when we’re not at our best. This is the story of a retiree who did everything right… and still ended up with a confusing, costly mistake.

It starts the way many scams do—quietly and just believable enough. A notification appears on your phone. A suspicious transaction. Your instincts kick in. You check with your bank. Everything seems resolved. Then, days later… the phone rings. And that’s when the real scam begins....

Scams are not slowing down — in fact, they’re costing Australians more than ever. New figures released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission show that Australians lost $2.18 billion to scams in 2025.

Online scams are constantly evolving, and a new one is currently targeting Australians through something that appears harmless — free community classes. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a warning about a scam spreading through social media that tricks people into installing malware on their phones or computers. The scam often promotes “free tai chi classes”, or similar, activities like dancing, walking, or hiking. Here's how you can avoid

For many Australians, computers weren’t part of everyday life growing up. So stepping into today’s digital world can feel overwhelming. The good news? Modern computers are more user-friendly than ever — and with the right device, getting online can be simple, enjoyable, and safe. A National Seniors Australia guide suggests computers open doors to connection, entertainment, lifelong learning, and creativity. Let’s break it down clearly and simply.

If you’ve just bought a new Android phone, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty — especially if this is your first time using an Android device. That’s perfectly normal. Many senior Australians and small business owners tell us the same thing: “I just want to set it up properly and not break anything.” The good news is that Android phones are designed to guide you step by step. Let’s go through it slowly, in plain English.

Buying a new iPhone is exciting — but if you’ve never owned an Apple device before, it can also feel a little daunting. You’re not alone. Many senior Australians and small business owners tell us the same thing: “I just want it to work properly without messing it up.” The good news? Apple has made iPhones easier than ever to set up. Let’s walk through it together, step by step, in plain English.

At Arafura Consulting & Media, we don’t write this blog to chase clicks, trends, or scare people into buying things they don’t need. We write it because technology is now part of everyday life, and too many people are being left to figure it out alone. Learn more about what we do.

If you search for “best antivirus software in Australia,” you’ll quickly find familiar names like Norton, Bitdefender, AVG, ESET and Avira. These products dominate comparison lists because they’re easy to install, reasonably priced, and packed with extra features like VPNs and password managers. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Learn about it in our latest blog...

Australian drivers are buying more connected vehicles than ever before. Many of them are electric. Many are made by Chinese manufacturers. That combination has raised questions about data security, privacy, and national interest, and while social media is full of speculation, Australian authorities have taken a far more measured approach. So what are Australian security agencies actually saying?

If you’re a tradie or sole trader, software updates are probably low on your priority list. You’ve got jobs to quote, invoices to send, tools to maintain, and customers waiting. An update that pops up during the workday feels like bad timing. However, skipping updates is one of the biggest cyber risks facing tradies and one-person businesses in Australia. Cyber criminals actively target sole traders because they know time is tight, and systems are often left unpatched.

Every year, around Christmas, retailers offer genuine bargains, and unfortunately, there is also a surge in cyber scams. Scammers know people are rushed, distracted, and eager to grab a deal. They take advantage of this moment with fake websites, dodgy emails, and convincing messages designed to separate you from your money or personal details. Learn our simple ways to spot a cyber scam...

In today’s digital world, most of us have dozens of online accounts — from banking to shopping to social media. Using the same password everywhere, or easy-to-guess ones, makes it much easier for cyber criminals to break in and steal your identity, money or data. That’s where password managers come in.

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.

Every time you post, shop, or sign up online, you share a bit of yourself. Over time, that trail of data — your birthday, address, even your pet’s name — builds a digital picture. Scammers love that picture because it helps them guess passwords, target scams, or even open fake accounts in your name.