Scammers use foreign tactics to target Aussies during election
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As the political climate heats up with the approach of the Australian federal election, so too does the activity of cybercriminals looking to exploit the situation.
Scammers are sharpening their tools to target Australian voters with various deceptive tactics, following the playbook used during the U.S. elections.
Recent Norton research has spotlighted the alarming trend of election scams, revealing that such scams targeted 56 per cent of Americans before casting their votes.
The tactics were diverse and cunning, ranging from fake polls designed to harvest personal data to deepfake impersonation scams and a significant uptick in robo-election calls.
The Australian electorate is now being cautioned to brace for a similar onslaught.
According to Norton Threat Lab data, an overwhelming 90 per cent of all cyber threats are now rooted in scams and social engineering—a figure that has nearly tripled since 2021.
This is not just a statistic; it's a reality that 33 per cent of Australians have already felt this year, having been targeted by various scams, including payment scams, text/smishing scams, and phishing scams.
Mark Gorrie, Norton's Managing Director APAC, has warned Australian voters, emphasising that they are now prime targets for these nefarious activities.
The U.S. election provided a blueprint for scammers, who preyed on voters with fake donation requests, impersonation scams, and disinformation campaigns.
With the Australian election on the horizon, cybercriminals are expected to employ similar tactics here.
One particularly concerning trend is the rise of AI-generated deepfakes, which have become increasingly sophisticated and challenging to detect.
Norton's research indicates that over 10 per cent of Americans were targeted by deepfake and impersonation scams, with the younger demographic particularly vulnerable.
As Australia continues to embrace AI-driven technologies, the threat of deepfake scams infiltrating local campaigns is very real.
The use of AI in misinformation campaigns is not new, but the technology's advancement makes these scams even more challenging to identify.
Scammers are poised to capitalise on the heightened interest in the election, luring individuals into sharing personal data or parting with their money through fake fundraising campaigns, bogus voter registration sites, and deepfake content.
Australians are urged to approach unsolicited political messages with a high degree of scepticism and to always fact-check before taking action.
Suppose you encounter something that seems overly sensational or urgent or requests personal or financial details.
In that case, it's crucial to verify its authenticity through official sources like the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
To stay vigilant during the election period, here are some key recommendations from experts:
To stay safe during election season, be wary of unsolicited messages claiming to be from political parties or government bodies. Scammers often use these tactics to gain trust.
Always verify donation requests by going directly to official campaign websites instead of clicking on links in emails or social media.
Misinformation is widespread, so cross-check political news and posts with credible sources.
Lastly, remain alert to AI-generated content like deepfake videos or impersonation scams, which are increasingly used to deceive and manipulate public opinion.
The message is clear: vigilance is paramount as the Australian federal election draws near.
By learning from the U.S. experience and taking proactive steps to safeguard personal information, Australians can avoid falling prey to election-related scams.
Remember, if something seems too good to be accurate or too alarming to ignore, it's worth taking the time to investigate further before reacting.
Stay informed, stay skeptical, and stay safe this election season.
In other news, deepfake technology grows more advanced, making fake images and videos harder to detect and raising concerns about its potential influence on election outcomes.
Hyper-realistic AI-generated media fuels fears over the spread of misinformation during campaigns. You can read more about it here.
How do you think scammers tailor their tactics to exploit voter trust during election campaigns? What role does AI play in spreading political misinformation and impersonation scams? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
Scammers are sharpening their tools to target Australian voters with various deceptive tactics, following the playbook used during the U.S. elections.
Recent Norton research has spotlighted the alarming trend of election scams, revealing that such scams targeted 56 per cent of Americans before casting their votes.
The tactics were diverse and cunning, ranging from fake polls designed to harvest personal data to deepfake impersonation scams and a significant uptick in robo-election calls.
Australians are warned to stay alert as election scams mirror U.S. trends. Credit: Tero Vesalainen / iStock
The Australian electorate is now being cautioned to brace for a similar onslaught.
According to Norton Threat Lab data, an overwhelming 90 per cent of all cyber threats are now rooted in scams and social engineering—a figure that has nearly tripled since 2021.
This is not just a statistic; it's a reality that 33 per cent of Australians have already felt this year, having been targeted by various scams, including payment scams, text/smishing scams, and phishing scams.
Mark Gorrie, Norton's Managing Director APAC, has warned Australian voters, emphasising that they are now prime targets for these nefarious activities.
The U.S. election provided a blueprint for scammers, who preyed on voters with fake donation requests, impersonation scams, and disinformation campaigns.
With the Australian election on the horizon, cybercriminals are expected to employ similar tactics here.
One particularly concerning trend is the rise of AI-generated deepfakes, which have become increasingly sophisticated and challenging to detect.
Norton's research indicates that over 10 per cent of Americans were targeted by deepfake and impersonation scams, with the younger demographic particularly vulnerable.
The use of AI in misinformation campaigns is not new, but the technology's advancement makes these scams even more challenging to identify.
Scammers are poised to capitalise on the heightened interest in the election, luring individuals into sharing personal data or parting with their money through fake fundraising campaigns, bogus voter registration sites, and deepfake content.
Australians are urged to approach unsolicited political messages with a high degree of scepticism and to always fact-check before taking action.
Suppose you encounter something that seems overly sensational or urgent or requests personal or financial details.
To stay vigilant during the election period, here are some key recommendations from experts:
To stay safe during election season, be wary of unsolicited messages claiming to be from political parties or government bodies. Scammers often use these tactics to gain trust.
Always verify donation requests by going directly to official campaign websites instead of clicking on links in emails or social media.
Misinformation is widespread, so cross-check political news and posts with credible sources.
The message is clear: vigilance is paramount as the Australian federal election draws near.
By learning from the U.S. experience and taking proactive steps to safeguard personal information, Australians can avoid falling prey to election-related scams.
Remember, if something seems too good to be accurate or too alarming to ignore, it's worth taking the time to investigate further before reacting.
Stay informed, stay skeptical, and stay safe this election season.
Hyper-realistic AI-generated media fuels fears over the spread of misinformation during campaigns. You can read more about it here.
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