Security

Why is Telstra Next G serving your data to Netsweeper in America?

By Mark A Gregory, RMIT University

Telstra representatives have this week admitted to collecting data for a new internet filtering product and sending this data to the USA office of Netsweeper Inc.

SCAMwatch – a helping hand against online scammers

By Mark A Gregory, RMIT University

Crimes of confidence, known as scams, are on the rise. You probably know the basics. The way the most common type of scam works involves you being presented with an offer, product or service for which you pay and then don’t receive anything.

Scams have always been big business and perpetrators have adapted quickly to new technology. Telephone, mail and now the internet have provided an ever-growing platform for large-scale, and coordinated, scam attacks.

We’re watching you: why the government should focus on cybersecurity, not surveillance

Earlier this week Greens Senator Scott Ludlam asked the Federal Government to reveal whether the TrapWire video surveillance system is being used in Australia or if it has been used in the past.

Cybercrime bill makes it through – but what does that mean for you?

By Mark A Gregory, RMIT University

Yesterday afternoon the Australian Senate passed the Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 following amendments suggested by the Labor Party.

Is Origin Smart sleepwalking into a shocking personal data breach?

By Mark A Gregory, RMIT University

Do you own digital content?

Business Spectator - 7 September 2012

The story so far has Bruce Willis at loggerheads with Apple over the right to pass on his vast digital music collection when Bruce takes on an action hero role in heaven.

The epic has gone viral and appears to have been a rumour that got out of control.

How safe is your smartphone?

Business Spectator 20 September 2012

'You've been hacked': why data-breach reporting should be mandatory

By Mark A Gregory, RMIT University

In an age of Facebook, eBay and online banking, data privacy is becoming more important than ever before. The majority of Australians have personal information stored online with a range of organisations and companies – information we’d rather the whole world didn’t have access to.

Teleworking's hidden risks

Business Spectator 2 November 2012

For many, the word ‘teleworking’ brings to mind a picture of a person sitting on a beach with a notebook. The reality is a little less encouraging.

Teleworking or telecommuting as it is also known has not become a feature of everyday life and less than 10 per cent of Australians have a telework agreement with their employer.

Telstra's revised cyber-safety service could (and should) be better

Telecommunications By Mark A Gregory, RMIT University

Telstra’s first attempt to introduce a cyber-safety service for mobile customers in June was a flop of significant proportions.