The recent Leak of 10 million Optus Users’ information means you should be on the look out for Suspicious behaviour in your accounts.
Read below on how to check if you have been hacked and how your accountant can help you.
As you have probably heard; Optus was just a victim of an enormous cyberattack. An incognito ransom post has just requested Optus pay $1.5 Million AUS Dollars to prevent around 10 million user’s information being released on the black market.
If you are thinking “Oh, I’m fine, I’m not with Optus!” I would keep the celebrating to a minimum.
“This Data Breach will go far beyond the people directly compromised”, cyber security specialists say.
Just Because you are not an Optus user, this doesn’t not mean you wont be affected by this breach.
If a business owner or companies data has been leaked, Thief’s have the potential to pose as their company and use their accounts details pay the wrong bank account details or change invoices.
As of Tuesday the 27th of September, The Hackers have announced they have already released 10 Thousand clients information and will continue to do so until Optus makes the payment.
“It’s a hack that might change the way Australians do business.”
What is being leaked?
For each Optus user the information is different but here is the potential information that has been released:
- Full names
- Birth dates
- Phone Numbers
- Email Addresses
- Addresses
- Driver license numbers
- Passport numbers
- Medicare numbers
While companies like Facebook and Microsoft have been victims of data breaches before, these technology services don’t have as sensitive of information like Medicare, Passports and Licenses.
With some of the already leaked user info, Members of Australia’s cyber security were able to confirm that the information was accurate.
What does this mean?
This Data breach is the biggest in Australian history. With The information Buyers will receive, they have the potential to intercept payments, steal identities, create new accounts and details for persons and companies.
What is at risk?
If you have ever looked up a ABN, you know how easy it is to access that information.
Within the next couple of weeks and months, Fraudsters main scheme will be to connect this sensitive information to ABN’s and ABR’s.
Once they have this data, they will create redirection scams for these businesses to click on. After this anything is possible. They have your accounts, your logins, your computers.
How can i stay safe?
What to do RIGHT NOW
The First thing you should do right now is check what information has been leaked. (This includes non-Optus users!)
What you can do right this second is check your info on Haveibeenpwned.com.
This site can check if your email or phone number has been apart of any data breaches within the past few years let alone Optus’s breach
What to do this week
Change your passwords for any sensitive accounts: This includes your bank accounts, email addresses and government accounts (e.g. MyGov, ATO) and make sure they are not the same across separate accounts.
While changing your passwords it is extremely worth while to add two factor authentication.
What to do this month
Speak to your tax Professional.
Accountants store a lot of your information. You should contact your accountant as soon as you are aware of a breach so they can be prepared and double check any breaches. After an event like this it is always good to check in with providers who hold your sensitive info and make sure your details are protected.
What to do ALWAYS
Keep an eye out for any unexpected emails, texts or mail from businesses you use. If you weren’t expecting a bill or they are requesting you update details. Call the customer support number from their website
It is so easy for hackers to pose as businesses you know so always been on the look out.
Want more information about scams that might come from this breach? Check out this post about Small Business scams on how to defend yourself.
Book a consultation with the advisors at Second Look for a in depth look at your business and its strategies for the new financial year.
Do you feel like you might not be getting back all that you put into your business or taxes?
Let us take a second look!
The team at Second Look have an eye for detail and are always happy to help you get the most out of your finances!
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