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AI deepfake scams surge as New Zealand losses mount
Multi-factor authentication

AI deepfake scams surge as New Zealand losses mount

AI-fuelled deepfake scams are surging in New Zealand, with losses topping NZD $5 million a quarter as fraudsters weaponise new tech.

By Sean Mitchell • 6 min read • Tue, 16th Dec 2025
AI-powered scams & web skimming surge across New Zealand
Ransomware

AI-powered scams & web skimming surge across New Zealand

AI-driven scams and web skimming attacks have surged in New Zealand, with web skimming up 416% and tech support scams rising 437% in Q3 2025, warns Gen Digital.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Wed, 29th Oct 2025
Simple steps to counter cyber threats
Malware

Simple steps to counter cyber threats

Nearly a quarter of New Zealand SMEs have already been hit by cyberattacks, with many still lacking basic defences against costly breaches.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Wed, 17th Sep 2025
AI gives cyber criminals new tools in evolving ransomware threat
Malware

AI gives cyber criminals new tools in evolving ransomware threat

Cyber criminals are increasingly using AI tools to enhance ransomware attacks, complicating defences for individuals and organisations alike.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Wed, 27th Aug 2025
Avast uncovers global fake pharmacy scam with 5,000+ domains
Marketing Technologies

Avast uncovers global fake pharmacy scam with 5,000+ domains

Avast exposed a global scam with 5,000+ fake pharmacy websites selling counterfeit meds, risking health and money worldwide.

By Melvin Hipolito • 4 min read • Thu, 7th Aug 2025
Avast study finds older Kiwis at high risk of online scams
Phishing

Avast study finds older Kiwis at high risk of online scams

Avast study reveals nearly half of older New Zealanders write passwords on paper, raising their risk of online scams and fraud amidst growing cyber threats.

By Melvin Hipolito • 4 min read • Wed, 9th Jul 2025
Avast launches free AI scam protection in antivirus for NZ users
Endpoint Protection

Avast launches free AI scam protection in antivirus for NZ users

Avast adds free AI-driven Scam Guardian to its antivirus for New Zealand users, boosting protection against rising, sophisticated online scams globally.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Thu, 26th Jun 2025
Bill to criminalise stalking delayed as debate continues
Malware

Bill to criminalise stalking delayed as debate continues

New Zealand's proposed law to criminalise stalking and cyberstalking faces delays, as experts warn citizens to take proactive steps to secure their digital privacy.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Tue, 18th Mar 2025

Global Stories

Avast stories

Fake shop scams more than double in first half of 2026
Phishing

Fake shop scams more than double in first half of 2026

Shoppers in the UK and Europe face a growing risk of cloned retail sites as Gen blocked 114.2 million fake e-shop attacks in six months.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last month
Avast One adds free tier with modular paid protections
Data Protection

Avast One adds free tier with modular paid protections

Users can now start with a free Avast One plan and add paid protections later, as Gen shifts to a modular security model.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 20th May 2026
Avast launches Deepfake Guard & expands Scam Guardian
Malware

Avast launches Deepfake Guard & expands Scam Guardian

Avast rolls out Deepfake Guard for Windows and takes Scam Guardian global on mobile in a push to combat rising video-led fraud.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Thu, 5th Feb 2026
UK online shopping scams soar 416% amid ad fraud surge
Mobile Device Management

UK online shopping scams soar 416% amid ad fraud surge

Online shopping scams in the UK jumped 416% in late 2025 as malvertising, social media fake shops and deepfake frauds surged, Gen warns.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 21st Jan 2026
AISLE debuts autonomous AI tool to patch software vulnerabilities
Security Information and Event Management

AISLE debuts autonomous AI tool to patch software vulnerabilities

AISLE launches AI-driven system that autonomously finds, tests, and patches software vulnerabilities, speeding up enterprise security and reducing risks.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Fri, 17th Oct 2025
AI & data breaches drive rise in sextortion scams
Multi-factor authentication

AI & data breaches drive rise in sextortion scams

Sextortion scams are surging globally, with New Zealand reporting a staggering 137% increase in 2025, driven by AI and recent data breaches.

By Melania Watson • 2 min read • Wed, 26th Mar 2025
Netflix series Zero Day highlights real cyber threats
Malware

Netflix series Zero Day highlights real cyber threats

Netflix's new series Zero Day highlights the real threat of zero-day vulnerabilities, emphasising the need for robust cybersecurity measures to prevent attacks.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Mon, 24th Mar 2025

Stories from Other Regions

Avast stories

Younger Brits help safeguard elders as online scams surge
Phishing

Younger Brits help safeguard elders as online scams surge

Over half of UK families report elders fall victim to online scams, with younger generations now leading efforts to improve their cyber safety at home.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Wed, 9th Jul 2025
Northern Data & Gcore to launch AI platform collaboration
Data Protection

Northern Data & Gcore to launch AI platform collaboration

Northern Data Group and Gcore have teamed up to launch a comprehensive AI platform aimed at enterprises, targeting a projected USD $169 billion inferencing market by 2032.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Thu, 3rd Apr 2025