Whether it's watching YouTube videos, playing games on a tablet or chatting with friends online, today's children spend more time connected than any previous generation. Many grandparents now provide regular childcare before school, after school or during the holidays. That often means helping children use technology safely. The good news is that by learning a few simple principles, you can help create a much safer online environment for your grandchildren...

Australia has introduced new protections against SMS scams. Learn what "Unverified" means, why it appears on some text messages, and how to protect yourself from scammers.

From 1 July 2026, Australians will see a major change to text messaging designed to make scams easier to identify. New ACMA regulations require businesses to register their SMS Sender IDs, helping prevent scammers from impersonating trusted organisations such as Optus, Telstra, Australia Post, banks and government agencies. The changes provide an important new layer of protection, particularly for seniors and other frequent scam targets. Learn more in our latest blog...

Most Australians have spent years building an online presence. Family photos, messages, friendships, memories and milestones are often stored on Facebook. But have you ever considered what happens to your account after you die? For many families, dealing with digital accounts can be confusing and emotionally challenging during an already difficult time. Fortunately, Facebook provides options that allow users to plan ahead and make things easier for loved ones.

Who doesn’t love a freebie? After sharing our recent post about the scam call that nearly had us second-guessing ourselves, quite a few people reached out to ask about the quick-reference action card we mentioned. That got us thinking about making a simple card you can download, print out and keep near your phone. And that's exactly what we've done...

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 like any other afternoon. But what followed was one of the most convincing scam attempts I’ve ever encountered — and I say that as someone who knows what to look for. The caller was a male with a British accent, calm and professional. He introduced himself as being from the NAB fraud team. Straight away, he had my attention. Then came the hook.....

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

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—especially those enjoying retirement—choosing a smartphone can feel confusing. Walk into a shop and you’ll usually hear the same question: “Do you want an Android phone or an iPhone?” These two systems dominate the smartphone world. In fact, together they make up almost the entire global smartphone market. But what does that really mean for everyday users—especially seniors who want a phone that is simple, secure, and reliable? Let’s break it down in

For many years, we heard the same advice: “If you don’t use Windows, you’re probably safe.” That’s no longer true. In 2025, cybercriminals expanded their focus. Malware now targets Android phones, iPhones, Macs, tablets, and even smart devices — not just traditional desktop computers. The good news? With the right habits and simple protections, you can stay safe. Let’s break this down in plain English.

Scams are getting smarter. But thankfully, so are we. Across Australia, seniors are being targeted more frequently than ever before. However, most scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for, they become much easier to spot. Let’s calmly walk through the five most common scams happening right now.

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 your browser suddenly shows a warning message about being hacked while using Chrome or Safari, don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. Cybersecurity experts have noticed a new wave of fake, dangerous websites that can trick browsers and steal passwords, personal accounts, and other sensitive information if you visit them. Learn how to stay one step ahead of the scammers.

Got a new smartphone, tablet, laptop or smart device? Congratulations! But before you dive in, take a few minutes to setup your device securely and protect your personal info, identity and digital life from cyber threats. Here’s a simple, practical checklist designed for Australians, to help you stay safe, secure and connected.

Picture this: Santa’s just finished checking the weather over the Nullarbor, Mrs Claus is sipping a flat white, and the elves are tuning up the sleigh for the big run Down Under. All seems merry — until a dodgy email nearly wrecks Christmas Eve. It happened like this …

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.