The AFP is sounding the warning in two different languages - one for Gen Z and one for others - that statistics show younger people are most likely to fall victim to cybercrime even though they are often the most tech-savvy.
The AFP knows it can be harder to reach younger people when issuing education and deterrence messages so different techniques and avenues will be used to help protect all Australians.
The cringe factor will be v high (how do you do fellow kids?). For everyone else, translations are on the bottom of the media release.
In the lead-up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, the AFP is reminding young Australians to be mindful of their cyber security, given some of our most digitally aware are also targets of scams, fraud, malware attacks and identity crime - likely because they spend the most time online.
Don't be delulu! Not caring about cyber security is more outdated than wearing skinny jeans. The Australian FBI wants you to know that y'all are mad likely to be scammed and you should fr do smth about it.
AFP Cybercrime Acting Commander Grace Calma said while some people believed older generations were more likely to lose money to scams or click on links that led to malware attacks, recent research found younger people were more likely to be victims of cybercrime.
This one fed was chatting about how hackers and that be trying to confuse u with some big politician type words to yoink ur info. Mans was tryna let u know that y'all Gen Z be no cap most likely to fall for the scammers trickery.
The Australian Institute of Criminology's (AIC) Cybercrime in Australia 2023 report, based from a survey of computer users in early 2023, found younger people were more likely to be cybercrime victims than their older counterparts.
It found almost 31 per cent of respondents aged 18-24 years said they had been a victim of a malware attack in the 12 months prior to the survey. The next highest age group to fall victim were those aged between 25-34 years (24.4 per cent). The age groups least likely to fall victim were those aged 65 years and older (20.3 per cent) and 50-64 years (18.5 per cent).
Malicious software, better known as malware, can be unknowingly stored on computers or mobile phones, potentially allowing cyber criminals to access files or watch individuals.
Those aged 18-24 years who responded to the AIC survey were also more likely to fall victim to fraud and scams, and identity crime and misuse, than any other age group.
Last month, the AFP encouraged grandchildren of all ages to help seniors stay safe online. Many younger people are confident operating in the online world and are very conscious of their cyber security.
The AFP hoped the call to action would also encourage the more tech-savvy to brush up on their cyber security too because cyber criminals target all age groups.
"The AFP has released a number of videos explaining how to help beat cybercriminals and we want to remind all Australians, especially young Australians, to be mindful of their cyber security."
These videos explain how to protect u from cybercrime bc getting hacked isn't a canon event sorry, you can intervene. And you can never be too extra about cyber security!!
Are you young? Like, young enough to think these translations are a bit too cheugy? Or that IG stories about how someone "can't live without my coffee!" and "well, THAT just happened" are cringe? Then you're likely to fall victim to a fraud or scam, facts!!!
Acting Commander Calma said younger people were high users of social media, streaming services and of technology in general, which could explain why they were statistically more likely to be impacted.
So according to stats we're the most likely to be scammed. That's so not a slay!!!! Some of these scammers have major rizz fr, you wouldn't even know they're scamming.
"We know lots of Australians of all ages are using their devices to buy everything from food, to music to clothing, however, it is important to be aware of scams,'' Acting Commander Calma said.
"An online shopping scam involves cyber criminals creating realistic but fake online stores selling items at heavily reduced prices or fake ads on legitimate classified websites.
"Once a buyer places an order, items are either not delivered or fake products are received in their place.'
There are a few things to look out for when shopping online to avoid these scams:
- Always use a secure payment platform, such as PayPal, or credit cards when shopping online;
- When making a payment look for a website address that starts with 'https' and features a closed padlock symbol; and,
- Never send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you don't know or trust.
Acting Commander Calma said people who believed they had fallen victim to cybercrime should report it immediately to ReportCyber at report.cyber.gov.au.
Learn more at afp.gov.au/cyber
Being safe online hits different. It's giving…. Cyber safety! Like imagine getting hacked, that would be so out of pocket, smh. Online safety, it's a vibe.
dyk this profile will give you the deets on how to stay on top of your Cyber Security, report at cyber.gov.au.
The fam is most at risk from cyber crime, head to cyber.gov.au to find out how to protect yourself today!
gtg ttyl!
The AFP asked a number of young people (18-26 years) to provide guidance for this media release and we thank them for their help.
Translation/explanation
- v = very
- The fellow kids reference is a Steve Buscemi meme originating from the TV show 30 Rock. It's commonly used as a reaction to people or brands pretending to be part of a community that they're unfamiliar with (for example, police trying to reach a younger audience who typically don't read media releases)
- delulu = delusional
- fr = for real
- smth = something
- fed = Federal Police Officer
- Politician type words = sophisticated words that normal teenagers would not use in conversation with each other
- Yoink = steal
- Mans = male spokesperson
- No cap = no lie, it's for real
- Trickery = method
- Canon event = something unavoidable that builds character
- Slay = to do something well, a compliment.
- Rizz = charisma/charm/seduction
- smh = shaking my head
- Vibe = feeling/emotion
- Fam = close friends/family
- dyk = did you know
- Deets = details
- dm = direct message
- gtg = go to go
- ttyl = talk to you later
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