Report Shows Nearly Half of Australians Fall Victim to Cybercrime
(MENAFN) A report published on Thursday by the Australian government has revealed that nearly half of internet users in the country were victims of cybercrime over the past year. The report, which was compiled by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) and based on responses from more than 10,000 internet users, shows that 47.4 percent of participants reported being targeted by cybercriminals in the last 12 months.
The survey also highlighted the broader scope of cybercrime in the country. A significant 63.9 percent of respondents indicated they had fallen victim to at least one form of cybercrime at some point in their lives.
Among the different forms of cybercrime, online abuse and harassment were the most prevalent, affecting 26.8 percent of those surveyed. Other common threats included identity crimes, malware attacks, and various types of fraud and scams.
Fraudulent online activity stood out as the most frequently reported crime over the 12-month period, with many victims losing money or disclosing sensitive information while attempting to purchase goods or services from fake or deceptive sellers.
Alarmingly, 20 percent of respondents reported being victimized by two or more different types of cybercrimes during the same period.
In terms of cybersecurity practices, the survey found a decline in protective behaviors. Only 50.7 percent of Australians used unique passwords for their secure online accounts in 2024, a drop from 53.2 percent the previous year. Furthermore, fewer respondents regularly updated their passwords, used secure password managers, or employed password protection for their home routers.
The findings underscore the growing need for enhanced digital security awareness and safer online practices as cybercrime continues to rise in Australia.
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