--- title: 3 common online security threats and how to avoid them description: Online scams and malicious emails are becoming more common and sophisticated. Every year Australians lose over $70 million to online scams. image: https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/hubfs/virus%20banner-866342-edited.jpg --- [![Strategic Group](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/hs-fs/hubfs/SGRP%20Logo%20-%20Inverted%20white.png?width=2951&name=SGRP%20Logo%20-%20Inverted%20white.png "Strategic Group")](https://www.strategicgroup.net.au) - [Home](https://www.strategicgroup.net.au/) - [About](https://strategicgroup.net.au/about/) - [Careers](https://strategicgroup.net.au/careers/) - [Services](https://strategicgroup.net.au/services/) - [IT Support & HelpDesk](https://strategicgroup.net.au/it-support-helpdesk/) - [Cloud Computing](https://strategicgroup.net.au/cloud-computing/) - [Private Cloud](https://info.strategicgroup.net.au/vault-demo) - [Public Cloud](https://strategicgroup.net.au/public-cloud-computing/) - [Cyber Security](https://strategicgroup.net.au/cyber-security/) - [Security & Risk Audit](https://info.strategicgroup.net.au/cyber-security-audit) - [Staff Training](https://info.strategicgroup.net.au/email-security-training) - [Telecommunications](https://strategicgroup.net.au/unified-communications/) - [Unified Communications](https://strategicgroup.net.au/unified-communications/) - [Microsoft Teams Calling](https://strategicgroup.net.au/ms-teams-calling/) - [Strategy & Planning](https://info.strategicgroup.net.au/virtual-cio) - [IT Consulting](https://info.strategicgroup.net.au/virtual-cio) - [Business Continuity Planning](https://info.strategicgroup.net.au/business-continuity) - [Disaster Recovery Planning](https://strategicgroup.net.au/disaster-recovery/) - [Device as a Service](https://info.strategicgroup.net.au/strategic-group-device-as-a-service) - [IT Projects](https://strategicgroup.net.au/it-project-services/) - [On-site & Hybrid Servers](https://www.strategicgroup.net.au/on-site-servers/) - [Case Studies](https://strategicgroup.net.au/case-studies/) - [Insights](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/) - [Blog](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/) - [Resources](https://strategicgroup.net.au/resources/) - [Contact](https://strategicgroup.net.au/contact/) - [1300 857 048](tel:1300857048) ![Strategic Group Blog](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/hs-fs/hubfs/apple-computer-desk-96858.jpg?width=2000&name=apple-computer-desk-96858.jpg "Strategic Group Blog") # Strategic Group Blog #### Everything you need to know about IT and technology #### [Tips](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/tips) [Security](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/security) # [3 common online security threats and how to avoid them](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/3-common-online-security-threats-and-how-to-avoid-them) ![close](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/AK-UI%20Builder/close-button.svg) ### Categories - [News (76)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/news) - [Tips (71)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/tips) - [Security (44)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/security) - [Productivity (13)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/productivity) - [Technology (7)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/technology) - [AI (5)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/ai) - [Community (2)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/community) - [Insider (1)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/insider) - [Uncategorised (1)](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/uncategorised) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Popular Stories [The Essential 8 Guidelines for Business: What You Need to Know](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/the-essential-8-guidelines-for-business-what-you-need-to-know) Mar 18, 2025 [Embracing AI in the workplace in 2025](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/embracing-ai-in-the-workplace-in-2025) Mar 24, 2025 [Balancing Innovation and Security: Microsoft Copilot in Business](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/safeguarding-data-while-leveraging-microsoft-copilot-in-business) Jul 16, 2025 [How to use Copilot prompts for buisness](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/how-to-use-copilot-prompts-for-business) Feb 19, 2025 [Top tech gifts to buy this Christmas](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/top-tech-gifts-to-buy-this-christmas-0-1-0) Dec 11, 2024 Categories | Subscribe | Populars - - - - Written by Emily Gam on December 15, 2016 I wonder if that lovely Nigerian Prince was finally ever able to access his riches? With more princely sums on offer, it’s no surprise that scammers and hackers are getting better and more sophisticated at what they do, in fact there has been a 39% increase in macro based malware (malware that hides in Word or Excel documents) in the last quarter. The amount of malware based attacks are increasing so quickly that according to Commonwealth Bank figures, 1 in 6 cyber jobs in Australia will never be filled due to lack of skills. It’s a scary thought that there are so many [cyber criminals](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/how-to-improve-cyber-security-in-your-business) out there, so it pays to know what you’re up against. We’ve put together a list of the different types of scams you need to know, and what you can do to stay safe. #### **Phishing** [Phishing](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/how-to-prevent-phishing-in-your-business) is when a scammer sends out an email claiming to be from a well-known organisation in an attempt to gather personal and financial information. You typically see these emails come from banks, mail carriers etc. Several recent phishing campaigns targeting Australians have featured precise replicas of the imitated organisation’s brand design and competent use of English, where the typical phishing email might historically have been easier to identify thanks to spelling errors, poor grammar and inconsistent design. It is important to remember that the real organisations will never ask for your personal or financial information. If you suspect that an email you received is a phishing scam but you aren’t sure, contact the organisation. Make sure you independently search for their contact info, and don’t use the details provided in the email. #### **Smishing** [Smishing](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/smishing-set-to-rise-in-2018) is the same as Phishing but is conducted over SMS (get it?) Australian regulatory bodies have warned about the increased use of ‘Smishing’ to steal account details from smartphone users, both in Australia and across the globe. The Commonwealth Bank’s Cyber Security Centre has reported that Smishing campaigns has grown 500% since the start of 2016. Follow the same advice as Phishing, don’t click on links from unknown senders, or messages that look suspicious. Reputable organisations won’t ask you to provide credentials via SMS, so be wary of any message asking you to supply your details. #### **Ransomware** [Ransomware](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/ransomware-attacks-increase-299-for-2018) encrypts your hard drive via malware and demands payment by threatening to destroy your data. The ACCC’s ScamWatch reports that the average amount lost by Australians reporting Ransomware attacks leapt from an average of $15,000 earlier in the year to $50,000 in August 2016. Ransomware can use Phishing and Smishing techniques to infiltrate your device so follow the same best practices as mentioned above. At the time of writing, Scam Watch reports that over 70 million dollars has been lost to scammers in Australia in 2016 alone. That is a huge number and set to get bigger with more and more sophisticated scams popping up. Remember to always stay vigilant about what links you click and what information you provide. It’s also important to have a working [Disaster Recovery Plan](https://info.strategicgroup.net.au/disaster-recovery-plan-template) in place in case everything goes belly up. 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[Tips](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/tips) [Security](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/security) ## [No Place Like Home: Ensuring Cybersecurity for SMEs in the Remote Work Revolution](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/no-place-like-home-ensuring-cybersecurity-for-smes-in-the-remote-work-revolution) The rise of remote work in today's business environment creates unique opportunities, but also significant challenges fo... [Tips](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/tips) [Security](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/topic/security) ## [Building a Phishing-Proof Business](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/building-a-phishing-proof-business) With their alarming simplicity and devastating effectiveness, phishing attacks continue to pose a significant threat to ... ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2432204/hubfs/99%20Template%20Pack/newsletter_bg.jpeg?width=2000&name=newsletter_bg.jpeg) ## Get all updates straight to your inbox. Stay informed with the latest IT and Technology news. ### Subscribe to Email Updates [![Strategic Group](https://blog.strategicgroup.net.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/SGRP_Final_Logo.jpg?width=700&name=SGRP_Final_Logo.jpg "Strategic Group")](https://www.strategicgroup.net.au) We wanted to be more than just a simple ‘break-fix’ IT provider, and become a true partner that understands our clients’ business drivers and goals so we can provide relevant IT solutions that enable our clients to grow & achieve their goals ##### SERVICES - Cloud Computing - [Helpdesk](https://www.strategicgroup.net.au/help-desk/) - IT Consulting ##### COMPANY - [About](https://strategicgroup.net.au/about/) - [Careers](https://strategicgroup.net.au/careers/) - [Case Studies](https://strategicgroup.net.au/case-studies/) ##### CONTACT Suite 5, 101 Hannell Street WICKHAM  NSW  2293 Phone: [1300 857 048](tel:1300857048) © 2018 All Rights Reserved