The end of scams in Australia? The government invests in stopping hackers

Scammers and hackers cost everyday Australians millions every year, and finally after years of threats and complaints, the government is finally investing in stopping these nuisances from infiltrating our lives.

The government has revealed for the first time it employs offensive cyber capabilities to deter possible attacks on both our country and its citizens.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will today announce Australia’s $230 million cyber security strategy, which will focus on closer collaboration with business.

Sky News reports the strategy, the first since 2009, took 18 months to develop and will create about 100 jobs.

The prime minister will also reveal who will fill the newly created role of Cyber Ambassador.

The new strategy aims to defend Australia’s cyber networks from organised criminals and attackers.

‘Australians are targets for malicious actors, including serious and organised criminal syndicates and foreign adversaries, who are all using cyberspace to further their aims and attack our interest,’ Mr Turnbull said.

‘We must safeguard against criminality, espionage, sabotage and unfair competition online’.

According to ACCC’s ScamWatch, $45 million was reported lost to scams and hack in 2015.

“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Scams succeed because they look like the real thing and catch you off guard when you’re not expecting it,” ACCC Acting Chair Delia Rickard said.

“Scams target people of all backgrounds, ages and income levels across Australia. There’s no one group of people who are more likely to become a victim of a scam and all of us may be vulnerable to a scam at some time”.

Tell us, are you happy the government is investing in stopping cyber crime? Or do you think scammers will continue to get away with taking money from everyday Aussies?