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

Most Australians think hackers only target big companies, banks, or government agencies. The reality is far less dramatic — and far more personal. Today, your home internet connection can reveal a surprising amount about you. Your smart TV, security cameras, printer, gaming console, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, smart speakers, and even your fridge may all be connected to the same network. To a cyber criminal, that network can look like an open front door. Learn how to s

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

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 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.

A recent A Current Affair investigation uncovered a heartbreaking story of how a man lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to online romance scammers. After his death, his ex-wife found bank statements, receipts and tens of thousands of dollars in gift cards sent to scammers he believed were love interests. He even took out a reverse mortgage of $150,000 to continue funding the relationships, despite having very real financial needs at home.

Running a small business is demanding, and cybersecurity often feels overwhelming. However, strong protection does not always require lots of your time or expensive software. In fact, the most effective safeguards are simple habits. Here are seven practical steps every Australian small business can implement today.

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.

New cybersecurity research shows that Microsoft has become the most impersonated brand in phishing attacks worldwide. Cybercriminals are using fake emails and websites that look like legitimate Microsoft communications to trick Australians into handing over personal information, including passwords, payment details, and account access. This trend highlights how important it is for people and businesses of all ages to recognise cunning scams and protect themselves online.

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.

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...