Websites not always real deal

ONLINE scammers are becoming more sophisticated than ever and Australian consumers and business owners are being warned to be vigilant when logging on for financial reasons.

One of the newest threats emerging is data hacking and the cloning of websites to trick consumers out of their money and personal information. The process involves replicating entire websites and functional online businesses, which are then passed off as legitimate sites.

The threat of “cloning” heralds a new level of hacking, according to data expert and managing director of EC Integrators Emy Carr.

“Cloning is on the rise in Australia and is relatively easy for criminals to do,” Ms Carr said. “There are even step by step guides available on data cloning after a simple Google search.”

The cost of cybercrime has risen past $1 billion a year, Ms Carr claimed, with small businesses in Australia the most vulnerable. A lack of resources and knowledge have seen 61 per cent of data breaches in the last year occur in businesses with fewer than 1000 employees.

“Australian businesses simply aren’t taking the required steps needed to properly protect customers,” Ms Carr said. “Many small businesses feel they do not have the necessary budget for a sophisticated data management and cyber security plan.”

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission figures suggest scammers have moved away from the largely unsuccessful phishing scams, which had conversion (success) rates of around 1 per cent, in favour of more believable online shopping scams, where the conversion rate is more than 50 per cent.

“You’re getting whole department stores having their websites cloned and they look real,” ACCC chairwoman Delia Rickard said. “Once they would offer discounts that were too good to be true, but now they are more realistic.”