What You Need to Know About AI and Your Data 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are now part of everyday life. Many people use them to write messages, plan trips, help with homework or get ideas. Used thoughtfully, they can be incredibly helpful. But it’s important to be careful about what information you share. 

Whenever you type something into an AI tool, that information may be stored or reviewed to improve the service. That means personal details, passwords, financial or medical information, photos, or private conversations shouldn’t be shared.

How to Use AI Without Compromising Your Privacy

For everyday personal use, AI is still fine – just pause before you hit submit. Remove names, addresses, phone numbers, account numbers, financial and health information and anything else that you wouldn’t be comfortable sharing publicly. A little editing goes a long way in keeping your privacy intact. 

If you’re using AI for work, study or community groups, paid subscriptions are generally safer. These typically offer clearer privacy protections and better control over how data is handled. 

AI is here to stay. Using it wisely helps you enjoy the benefits without putting your personal information at risk. 

Please visit www.cyberguru.com.au for more information. 

Protect Your Information Before You Share It 

When you give your accountant, financial planner, mortgage broker or other professional your personal or business information, you want to know it will be safe. Cyber incidents are common and can hurt everyday people. Before you hand over your data, take a moment to check how well they protect the information you trust them with.  

Asking simple questions helps you understand their risk of a cyber incident and gives you confidence that your private details will stay secure. A good accountant or planner will be happy to answer these questions.  

Here are helpful things to ask:  

• How do you keep my information protected? 
• Who can see my data and why?  
• Where do you store my information (in Australia or overseas)?  
• How do you send and receive documents? (Hint: personal information should never be sent via email.)  
• What happens if your office has a cyber incident?  
• How will you tell me if something goes wrong?  
• What happens to my data if I stop working with you?  

Asking these questions is a simple way to protect yourself. It helps you choose someone who takes your safety seriously.  

Please visit www.cyberguru.com.au for more information. 

How to Spot a Fake Email Before It Hurts You

Scam emails are getting harder to spot, but the warning signs are still easy to catch when you know what to look for.

Things that should make you pause:

• A message from your boss that suddenly sounds nothing like them (this also applies to colleagues, friends and family members)
• Words like ‘urgent’ or ‘act now’ or do not ask questions
• Requests for gift cards
• A strange-looking address on a document request
• A business telling their bank details have changed
• Your own instinct telling you something feels wrong

Remember this. No boss will be upset if you take a moment to double-check a strange request. But any business will be upset if money is sent to a scammer.

Before you click or send information:

• Look at the real email address, not just the display name
• Call the person using a phone number you already know
• Ask yourself if the message is trying to rush you. If ‘yes’, slow down. If ‘no’, check it anyway.

Gift cards are for birthdays, not invoices. And crypto is never an acceptable payment option.

If your business wants help to spot scams early and stay safe online, CyberGuru can help. A little training can prevent a big problem later.

Please visit www.cyberguru.com.au for more information.

How a Two-Minute Call Can Save You Thousands 

Before you pay a new tradie, or if your regular cleaner suddenly has “new bank details”, there’s one simple step that can save you money, stress, and arguments: verify their bank details first. 

Scammers love moments like this. One of their most common tricks is changing the bank details on an invoice so your payment goes straight into their pockets. Even genuine businesses can have their email hacked, which means the “new” bank account may not be them. That’s why experts recommend calling the business using the number on their official website – never the one on the invoice to confirm any changes.

This isn’t just a problem for businesses. Everyday Aussies get caught too. While we often hear about fake investments or stolen house deposits, scammers know that small payments like those to cleaners, gardeners, tradies and even schools often go unchecked. Fake invoices keep getting better, so a quick call can stop a very expensive mistake.

The Simple Step That Prevents Costly Scams

And if the money goes missing? Figuring out who’s responsible can take time, stress, and sometimes lawyers. That’s why the old saying still holds true: prevention is much better than a cure. 

So, follow this simple rule: Always verify new or changed bank details before paying. 

A two-minute phone call is far easier than weeks of arguing later. 

Please visit Cyber Guru for more information. 

Digital Declutter Month: Start Fresh in 2026 

February isn’t just about hearts and flowers – it’s the perfect time to show your tech some love! A little digital declutter can make your devices run faster, free up space, and even help you feel more organised. 

Start with your smartphone: 

Delete apps you haven’t touched in months and clear out those old photos and screenshots. Your storage will thank you. 

Next, tackle your inbox: 

Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read and archive messages you don’t need. A clean inbox feels amazing – and saves time. 

On your computer: 

Sort files into folders and back up important documents to the cloud or an external drive. While you’re at it, empty the recycle bin and clear temporary files for a quick speed boost. 

Don’t forget social media: 

Review your privacy settings and unfollow accounts that no longer spark joy. Less clutter means more meaningful connections. 

One more smart move: 

Update your passwords and enable two-factor authentication. It’s a quick way to boost security and keep your digital life safe. 

Start fresh this February – because a little digital TLC goes a long way toward a stress-free, productive year. 

Tis the Season for Giving…and Scamming?

The holidays bring out the best in people, but unfortunately, they also bring out scammers looking to cash in on your generosity. 

Charity scams spike over Christmas and New Year, when many of us are in the giving spirit. Fraudsters create fake websites, send convincing emails, or even call pretending to represent real charities. Their goal? To tug at your heartstrings – and your wallet. 

Spread kindness and not cyber crime…

Here’s how to stay safe: 

• Double-check the charity’s name. Scammers often use names that sound like well-known organisations. 
• Avoid clicking donation links in emails or texts. Instead, go directly to the charity’s official website. 
• Watch for pressure tactics. Real charities won’t rush you or demand payment via gift cards or crypto. 

If you’re unsure, check the charity’s registration through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). 

This Christmas, let’s spread kindness – not cyber crime. 

On behalf of the team at CyberGuru, we wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to sharing more articles in 2026. 

Caught in a data breach? Here’s what to do next 

In our last Guides article, we showed you how to check if your email has been exposed in a data breach using https://haveibeenpwned.com. If your email is found in their database, it means your account details may have been compromised. 

Step 1: Change Your Passwords 

Start by updating the password on the affected site. If you’ve reused that password elsewhere, change those too. Also, if you haven’t yet turned on multi-factor authentication on the account, do this too. 

Step 2: Investigate the Breach 

Look for any announcements from the company involved. This will help you understand what kind of data was exposed: whether it’s just your email or something more sensitive. 

Step 3: Get Support 

If the breach involves personal or financial information, contact https://idcare.org, Australia’s free cyber support service. They’ll help you create an action plan. You can reach them at 1800 595 160. 

Step 4: Clean Up 

If you no longer use the compromised site, consider deleting your account. You may need to contact the company directly, and in some cases, deletion might not be possible. 

Stay safe, stay informed – and don’t reuse passwords! 

Is Your Data Safe? How to Check if You’ve Been Caught in a Breach

With recent data breaches hitting big names like iiNet, MediSecure, and Qantas, many Australians are asking: Has my personal information been exposed? 

When a breach occurs, details like your name, email, password, address, and even your date of birth can end up on the dark web, a hidden part of the internet where stolen data is traded for money or goods. 

If you’re worried, start by checking your email at Have I Been Pwned. It’s a free tool that shows whether your data has been involved in known breaches, where the stolen data has already been identified.

How to Protect Yourself

To stay safe, monitor your accounts for unusual activity; use strong, unique passwords for each site; and enable multifactor authentication wherever possible. 

CyberGuru recommends staying informed and proactive.  

Please visit Cyberguru for more information. 

Watch Out for Tech Support Scams

In the past few months, we’ve seen a rise in fake tech support calls from scammers pretending to be from Microsoft, Telstra, or nbn. The scammers claim your computer or internet has issues and ask to remotely access your device. Once in, they run bogus scans and tell you there’s a costly problem to fix. Some even guide you to log into your bank account and transfer money. 

They might also install malicious software on your device during the process, giving them continual access to your computer so they can continue to scam you even after you’ve disconnected from the initial call.   

These scams are becoming more sophisticated. If someone gains remote access, they can see your screen, files, emails, and even passwords without you knowing.  

What to do:  

If you get a suspicious call, don’t share any personal information. Just hang up.  

If you’re unsure, contact Microsoft, Telstra, or nbn directly via the phone number or ‘Contact Us’ page listed on their official websites.  

If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank immediately to block transactions. Then reach out to your trusted IT support to check your computer.  

Please visit www.cyberguru.com.au for more information. 

Buying A New Computer 

Looking to purchase a new computer before the end of the financial year (EOFY)? 

Purchasing a computer is an investment, whether for work or personal use. Although EOFY specials are readily available, remember that the cheapest device may not be the best value and the life of the device should also be factored in. 

Commercial-grade computers are more reliable as they are built for increased longevity. These devices are generally found only in specialist computer stores and IT service providers. They generally come with a three-year onsite warranty as opposed to a one-year warranty requiring a return to the place or purchase. 

In addition, commercial-grade computers come with Windows 11 Pro operating system, which provides some enhanced security measures which offer extra protection in case your device is lost or stolen. These computers are perfect for businesses and may also provide value to personal users. 

Please visit www.cyberguru.com.au for more information. 

Tips for buying a new computer 

Ensuring the minimum of at least the following: 

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 or above 
• Memory: At least 16GB 
• Storage: At least 512GB SSD 
• Operating system: Windows 11 Pro 
• Warranty: Three-year on-site warranty  

Be Scam Aware

If you were to open this, a screen will appear to ask you to log in to a fake website. By entering your details, you are giving away your personal information to a hacker who may then use these to log in to your account to read and send emails and access your address book.

Email Security Recommendations for Home Users and Businesses

If you receive such an email, be vigilant and don’t take any action. We recommend home users obtain an Outlook.com or Gmail email address, which provide a higher level of security and protection against such emails. It also provides flexibility if you wish to change your internet service provider. 

If you are a business using an email address provided by Telstra or Optus, we strongly recommend looking into a business-grade alternative such as Microsoft 365 and make your business look more professional by using your own domain name (such as cyberguru.com.au), and not one linked to your internet service provider. 

Manage your passwords effectively

We now have more passwords than ever before. Best practice is that a password is a minimum of 18 characters long, but how can we remember that when we struggle to remember a mobile phone number? And having the same password for every website increases your chances of being hacked.

A Vault for Your Passwords 

Given how hard it is to remember all these passwords, it is worthwhile considering a password manager app, which is like a vault for your passwords. 

A password manager app can securely store your passwords in a safe location, ensuring you only need to remember one ‘master’ password, which is used to gain access to the passwords. Given the sensitivity of your passwords, we recommend further protecting your password manager with multi-factor authentication (MFA). 

You use the password manager within your web browser to help generate and store passwords for the individual sites, which they then can automatically complete when you go to the website.  

Having a password manager is more secure than storing passwords in your web browser, and is easier to use than a book, as they save your new password when you change it.

Securing your accounts with multi-factor authentication 

We all have online accounts we need to protect: emails, personal and business data, superannuation and investments, entertainment sites holding concert tickets to our favourite artists, and social media containing treasured photos and memories. 

With recent advancements in hacking tools, passwords can be easily guessed, especially if the same password is used for multiple accounts. One way to make these accounts more secure is to use multi-factor authentication, also known as MFA. 

Why Use MFA?

MFA requires you to input an additional code as well as your password. The code can be sent to your email or mobile phone, but the best way is to use an ‘Authenticator’ app. Examples of such Authenticator apps include Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator and Authy. We strongly encourage using these apps as they are more secure than email and text messages. 

The Authenticator app is free to download from your mobile device’s app store. Once you have installed it, you can add your website accounts to this, referring to the website’s specific account settings which will guide you through the process. 

The best part is that it is free to set up, and after the initial set-up, your account is done. 

For more information, please visit Cyber Guru.

Read more stories from the Sandgate Guide print magazine here:

• Be Spellbound
• The Best Days of Their Lives 
• Say Cheese
• Reaching the Pinnacle 
• Closing the gender gap in STEM 
• Teens Rock the Green at School’s Out Event
• Laurie’s Beach Walk 
• SANDBAG Counsellors Boost Empowerment for Marginalised Communities in India
• Win A $200 City Cave Voucher  
• Bracken Ridge Toastmasters 
• Boondall School’s Big Bash
• Trying New Things
• Bramble Buzz: Updates from the Community
• Organic Gardening in March 
• SpikyPuffer