Online fraud and scams dominate the types of cyber crimes targeted at Australians, the nation’s online crime reporting tool has revealed. Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan today revealed the results, which were the first collected by the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) announced in November 2014. Online scams accounted for just under half of all the 39,000 instances of cyber crime reported to ACORN by individuals and organisations. Around 22 per cent of reports, or 8,368, were attributed to issues around online trading. The majority of cyber crime reports came from Victoria, followed by NSW and Queensland. Almost 40 per cent of victims were aged between 20 and 40 while 38 per cent were in aged between 40 and 60. The Justice Minister had a special warning for social media enthusiasts. “Over the past year, email, social networking, and website advertising have been the top three reported online channels used by cybercriminals to target their victims,” Minister Keenan said. He also encouraged the public to make more use of ACORN. “I encourage all members of the public to be vigilant online and to work together to ensure a safer and more secure digital environment for all Australians by reporting to the ACORN,” he said. Read more: The week in security: 8 in 10 health apps insecure; ISIS sidesteps backdoor debate Go into the draw for a chance to win an Apple iWatch Sports or the equivalent of $500 Visa Cashcard. For full terms and conditions click here. Read more: Forcepoint targets security-health KPI at empowering CSO-C-level relationship Error: Please check your email address. Have an opinion on security? Want to have your articles published on CSO? Please contact CSO Content Manager for our guidelines. Tags social mediacyber crimescamsCSO AustraliaMichael KeenanAustralian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN)​Online fraud More about AppleCSOGigamonVisa
Australia ’s new online crime reporting tool has revealed that online fraud and scams are the greatest threats facing Australian consumers . In the first results from the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network ( 2006 ) , scams accounted for approximately half of the 39,000 reported cyber crimes . The majority of cyber crime victims came from Victoria , followed by New South Wales and then Queensland . Approximately 40 % of victims were aged between 20 and 40 , and a similar proportion between 40 and 60 . Notably , the report highlighted the growth in social engineering activity , with email , social media and website advertising reportedly the most common channels that cybercriminals have been using to target their victims .