The year 2024 has been marked as the worst for data breaches in Australia since records began in 2018, according to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Qantas has recently become a target in ongoing cyber attacks affecting airlines, resulting in the compromise of personal details for approximately six million customers.

This data breach at Qantas has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of personal information shared online, particularly in light of similar incidents involving Optus and Medibank in 2022.

In April 2024, reports surfaced that over 31,000 banking passwords belonging to Australians were being traded on the dark web, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced password security.

An Australian firm, Dvuln, revealed that these stolen banking passwords were acquired through malware known as 'infostealer', highlighting the necessity of keeping devices updated with the latest operating systems and antivirus software.

While password manager services can assist in managing multiple passwords, they are also being targeted by cybercriminals, presenting a potential risk if these services are compromised.

Experts stress that companies must secure customer data, but individuals can also bolster their online security by using unique passwords for different accounts and changing them regularly.

To combat evolving cyber threats, it is advised to prioritize anonymity and cash transactions as protective measures.