Aussie IT firm warns of high cybercrime risk during festive season

Australian-based IT support and service provider CMTG is urging Christmas shoppers to exercise caution when shopping online this festive season. This caution comes in light of Monash University data revealing that 44% of Australians are set to purchase Christmas gifts from online-only stores this year, an increase from last year's 37%.

With the increase in Christmas online shopping, Carl Filpo, Director of CMTG, said there could be a potential increase in cybercrime targeting personal information and bank details. "With the silly season upon us, it's important for Australians to be sensible when it comes to making purchases over the internet or taking part in online sales," he commented.

Alarmingly, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reported that Australians have already lost over AUD $6.2 million this year through online shopping scams. Filpo advises that with the Christmas season nearing, now is the time to implement extra safety measures online, "especially when providing credit card information or personal details like addresses and phone numbers to online stores."

Filpo recommends sticking to well-known businesses or reliable sellers when shopping online to stay secure. He also cautioned against stores that asked for direct bank deposits or money transfers and those offering extremely low prices or having limited information.

Moreover, for secure transactions, he suggested the use of trusted payment methods like PayPal or a credit card. He also encouraged shopping through a secure device connected to a trusted Wi-Fi or cellular network.

Post-purchase, the threat of cybercrime doesn't cease. Shoppers are to stay vigilant of fraudulent parcel delivery notifications. "Fake delivery scams via email or text messages can trick people into unknowingly giving cybercriminals access to private information or accidentally downloading malware onto their devices," Filpo explained.

Cyber security is not only applicable to individual shoppers. Filpo has also urged businesses to review and upgrade their cyber security systems during the holiday season. "It is vital to have the most up-to-date protection for your IT infrastructure and data to provide peace of mind when it comes to your online information," he expressed.

Filpo sees this period as "the perfect opportunity to reassess your current cyber security programs and systems, to see if they're performing at a high level."

For those uncertain or in need of an upgrade in their cyber security systems, Filpo invites communication with the team at CMTG. The company, boasting over a quarter-century of service across Australia, is equipped to provide trusted IT solutions to businesses and individuals.

Established in 1998, CMTG is WA's chief integrated IT infrastructure solutions, service and consulting company specialising in high-performance data storage and application, private cloud systems, and ongoing support.

Customers and partners have access to industry-expert infrastructure and technology services, including its on-site data centre, highly secure dark fibre connection, the latest hardware on the market, and strong aftersales support. CMTG customers are assured of high-speed and sustainable IT solutions and safe data migration and handling with the expertise of its dedicated deployment team.