Australians worried AI will help steal their identity according to Norton report

A new report from cyber safety leader Norton has revealed Australians have serious concerns about AI and how it could potentially be used to steal their identity.

According to a survey by Norton, most Australians (63 per cent) are worried that their identities are vulnerable to cybercriminals and only 30 per cent would be able to tell if their PII (personally identifiable information) has been stolen or compromised.

Identity theft has become quite common in Australia.

According to a survey by the Australian institute of criminology, 19 per cent had been victims of misuse of their personal information.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says 11 per cent of people experienced one or more types of personal fraud in 2020 – 2021.

“We are seeing a growing trend towards identity crime, and we are seeing the horrible personal and financial consequences of this in the news every day,” says Mark Gorrie, APAC Managing Director for Norton.

 “With stolen personal information, a cybercriminal could open a credit card in your name, apply for financial services, run up debts, or even obtain a passport in your name. It’s important that Australians understand how they can stay one step ahead and prevent this from happening.”

Norton’s research also found that more than half (66 per cent) of Australians feel AI has made it is easier to steal their identity.

“As a tool, AI has created cyber-threats that are increasingly persuasive and can be extensively distributed,” Gorrie says.

“These widespread attacks can often lead to the compromise of personal data and increases the threat of ID theft in Australia.”

“There are many ways someone can fall victim to cyber-attack related identity theft, and phishing is one of the most common.

“Cybercriminals will trick people into divulging sensitive information by posing as a trusted source – and artificial intelligence has made this all the easier.

“As scammers continue to evolve in sophistication, it is more important than ever that Australians are aware of the cybersecurity measures they can practice to give themselves a first line of defense against scammers and prevent the devastating personal and financial damage that can come with identity theft.”

MARK GORRIE’S TIPS TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT

– Be careful with what you share online: Scammers can find out where you live, work, and visit through your social media posts. Think twice before posting something that might reveal important information regarding your identity.

– Protect your accounts with strong passwords: Less than half (42 per cent) of Australians create complex, unique passwords for each of their accounts, and only a third (33 per cent) change their passwords regularly. It is important to protect your online accounts with strong passwords, and never use the same passwords twice to decrease the likelihood of a cybercriminal cracking the code. A strong password contains a mix of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

– Know the warning signs: It is important to understand the tell-tale signs that your data has been compromised, so you can intercept as soon as possible. Unusual charges to your bank account, unexpected texts, email, or mail, are all signs that your identity could be compromised.

– Install robust security software: Security software gives you an extra layer of security and peace of mind. Norton Identity Advisor Plus or Norton 360 Advanced comes with dedicated on-hand Identity Restoration Specialists and will monitor the dark web and your social media account to assist you in identifying risks and advising on steps you can take to protect yourself.

– Be prepared to act if your data is compromised: If you are impacted by a data breach, you should immediately change all your passwords, and report the breach to your bank. Your data will still be vulnerable and a hot target for cybercriminals, so be extra cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls. You should also consider placing a block on your credit file.