SecurityBrief New Zealand - Technology news for CISOs & cybersecurity decision-makers
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Netsafe works with global tech giants to address online harm in NZ
Google

Netsafe works with global tech giants to address online harm in NZ

Facebook, Google, TikTok, and Twitter are joining Netsafe to develop a code of practice for online safety in New Zealand.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Fri, 6th Aug 2021
May 17 is Pink Shirt Day: How you can help prevent cyberbullying
Cyberbullying

May 17 is Pink Shirt Day: How you can help prevent cyberbullying

This Friday May 17 is Pink Shirt Day, which is a colourful way to raise awareness about a serious and in some cases tragic issue: cyberbullying.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Wed, 15th May 2019
$33 million lost to scams & fraud: Netsafe says NZ isn't doing enough to stop it
Email Security

$33 million lost to scams & fraud: Netsafe says NZ isn't doing enough to stop it

Phone and online scams are costing New Zealanders $33 million, causing both financial and psychological harm, according to Netsafe.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Wed, 3rd Apr 2019
'Is this for real?' The reality of fraud against New Zealanders
Fintech

'Is this for real?' The reality of fraud against New Zealanders

Is this for real? More often than not these days it can be hard to tell, and it's okay to be a bit suspicious, especially when it comes to fraud.

By Sara Barker • 5 min read • Tue, 13th Nov 2018
Online hate speech affects New Zealand adults
Cyberbullying

Online hate speech affects New Zealand adults

A recent Netsafe report reveals that 11% of New Zealand adults have been targeted by online hate speech in the past year, impacting behaviour and emotions.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Thu, 8th Nov 2018
$444 million: The devastating cost of cyberbullying in NZ
Cyberbullying

$444 million: The devastating cost of cyberbullying in NZ

Can you put a dollar figure on the damage cyberbullying causes New Zealanders? One economist says that cost is around $444 million every year.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Wed, 10th Oct 2018
More people are reporting online bullying to Netsafe than ever before
Cyberbullying

More people are reporting online bullying to Netsafe than ever before

Online abuse, bullying and harassment are continuing to cause harm to New Zealanders nationwide, and more people are reporting incidents to Netsafe.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Mon, 27th Aug 2018
Kiwis' scam losses hit $18.6m, eclipsing last year's figures
Email Security

Kiwis' scam losses hit $18.6m, eclipsing last year's figures

This year Kiwis have lost a staggering $18.6 million to scams, compared to $10.1 million for over the entirety of last year.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Mon, 27th Aug 2018
Netsafe & Spark ramp up scam education efforts across NZ
Email Security

Netsafe & Spark ramp up scam education efforts across NZ

Spark and Netsafe have teamed up to combat rising scam threats in NZ, distributing brochures in stores and offering scam education to customers.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Tue, 7th Aug 2018
Kiwis lost $10.1 million to scams last year: Which region felt the worst of it?
Phishing

Kiwis lost $10.1 million to scams last year: Which region felt the worst of it?

New Zealanders lost over $10.1m to online scams last year, with Auckland residents hit the hardest, according to Netsafe.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Wed, 28th Feb 2018
$10.1m lost: Why Kiwis are losing so much to scammers & how we need to fix it
Email Security

$10.1m lost: Why Kiwis are losing so much to scammers & how we need to fix it

Tech-savvy scammers are swindling New Zealanders out of millions of dollars, with reported losses totaling $10.1 million last year.

By Sara Barker • 5 min read • Thu, 25th Jan 2018
Don't delete your scam emails! You can now help beat scammers at their own game
Email Security

Don't delete your scam emails! You can now help beat scammers at their own game

Re:scam, an artificially intelligent email programme, is designed to engage scammers in a neverending cycle of conversation.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Wed, 8th Nov 2017
CERT NZ & Netsafe warn of scammers playing online blackmail hand
Email Security

CERT NZ & Netsafe warn of scammers playing online blackmail hand

CERT NZ and Netsafe issue alert on rising online blackmail cases as scammers claim to hold incriminating videos for ransom.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Wed, 23rd Aug 2017
Reports of cyberbullying flood new support service
Cybersecurity

Reports of cyberbullying flood new support service

Netsafe receives over 900 online bullying complaints in six months, with misconceptions about their services arising.

By Matthew Bain • 2 min read • Wed, 31st May 2017
Education must be our secret weapon in the fight against tech support scams
Malware

Education must be our secret weapon in the fight against tech support scams

They're scammers, they're prolific & they're determined. The only way to stop them is to talk about it, especially with those who are most vulnerable.

By Sara Barker • 5 min read • Mon, 29th May 2017
Cyberbullying affects many Kiwi kids, how can you help?
Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying affects many Kiwi kids, how can you help?

This week, Netsafe is reminding people that bullying isn't just a playground issue, as it receives hundreds of complaints of online bullying.

By Matthew Bain • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd May 2017
It's Bullying-Free NZ Week, help your students speak out
Cyberbullying

It's Bullying-Free NZ Week, help your students speak out

Bullying Free NZ Week commences, empowering students and schools to combat bullying with new resources and a strong community focus.

By Matthew Bain • 3 min read • Mon, 22nd May 2017

Global Stories

The who's who of NZ's government & public cybersecurity agencies
Cybersecurity

The who's who of NZ's government & public cybersecurity agencies

From government agencies to public initiatives, here's an inside look at who protects New Zealand's digital landscape from cyber threats.

By Sara Barker • 14 min read • Thu, 30th Sep 2021