Cybersecurity / Australia

Top 5 Cyber Scams Targeting Australian Businesses

Australian organisations face a steady stream of financially motivated scams. The good news is that you don't need to be a technical expert to stop them. Here are the top five to watch out for.

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1. The "Fake Invoice" Scam

Also known as Business Email Compromise (BEC), this is where scammers pretend to be a regular supplier. They send an invoice that looks legitimate, but the bank account details have been changed.

2. The "Remote Access" Call

Someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Telstra, or NBN, saying your computer has a virus. They pressure staff to install tools like TeamViewer to "fix it."

3. The "Password Expiring" Email

Emails mimicking Microsoft or Google claiming your account is locked or full. The link leads to a fake login page designed to steal credentials.

Defense: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) everywhere. Even if they get your password, they can't login without your phone.

4. The "Urgent Gift Card" Text

A staff member gets a text from the "CEO" asking them to buy Apple gift cards urgently because they are "in a meeting."

Defense: Encourage a culture where it is okay to question urgency. A quick call to the boss usually confirms it’s a scam.

5. The "Malicious Job Applicant"

Scammers send emails posing as job applicants with a "Resume" attached. The file is actually malware.

Defense: Be wary of resumes ending in .exe or .html. Never "Enable Macros" for a Word doc resume.

The Best Defense: A "Human Firewall"

Technical tools are essential, but your people are your first line of defense. We recommend running regular Phishing Simulations—safe, fake scams sent to staff to test if they click.

This trains your team to pause and check, turning your biggest risk into your biggest asset.