Spies a social menace

ASIO warns of risks

AUSTRALIANS are being targeted by foreign intelligence services when using social media and professional networking platforms, the nation’s top spy agency has warned.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s Think Before You Link campaign, to be launched on Tuesday, is its first public information drive since being formed in 1949.

Security sources said the campaign came at a time when there were more foreign spies and their proxies active in Australia than at the height of the Cold War.

The campaign has been developed with Australia’s FiveEyes partners – the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and New Zealand.

ASIO has reported seeing a disturbingly high number of suspicious approaches to people across the globe.

In the US, former CIA officer Kevin Mallory was recently convicted of espionage after being recruited via the LinkedIn platform.

ASIO director-general of security Mike Burgess said he was “committed to confronting and countering the threat of foreign interference”.

“Not everyone you meet online is who they say they are. Social media and professional networking sites are fertile hunting grounds for foreign spies trying to identify, groom and recruit Australians who have access to sensitive information,” Mr Burgess said.

“Hostile foreign intelligence agencies have always sought access to personal information because they want to cultivate and recruit potential targets as sources.

“In the past, attempted recruitment was time-intensive, expensive and risky because the foreign intelligence officers would need to operate on location and in person.

“Now they can use the internet to work from the safety of their overseas headquarters, sending thousands of friend and networking requests with the click of a mouse.”

The campaign is mainly aimed at Australians with a current or former security clearance or who have access to sensitive information, including people who are employed in government, defence or academia.

Security agencies never confirm which countries pose the greatest foreign interference threat but multiple sources said China is seen as the major player.

Mr Burgess said ASIO’S message of vigilance was applicable to all Australians, regardless of their occupation.

“Be mindful of what personal and professional information you post online – foreign intelligence services can use it to identify you, target you and groom you,” he said.