Kiwis hooked by online fishing

A test on the cyber security of NZ businesses has revealed weaknesses. File Photo.

A KPMG test on the cyber security of New Zealand businesses as part of Connect Smart Week has revealed one in ten Kiwis could fall for a phishing attack.

Phishing is the practice of sending an email pretending to be from a reputable company or organisation in order to trick individuals to reply with personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

Ahead of Connect Smart Week, KPMG conducted a phishing experiment with 35 organisations, who agreed to be involved, with a total of 8,333 staff.

Employees in each organisation were sent an email indicating their organisations had signed up to a password quality checking website. The email contained a link and asked the recipient to go to the website to check the quality of their password.

KPMG found 1,009 people (12.1%) clicked on the link and, once through to the website, 702 (8.4%) entered their password details.

Philip Whitmore, KPMG Partner and head of KPMG Cyber, says the exercise was a great way to educate employees and start a discussion in the workplace, but also a real warning sign for organisations.

'Unfortunately the results were not surprising, as phishing emails are becoming increasingly convincing and sophisticated. If the phishing emails had been real, then cyber-criminals would have acquired the passwords of a significant number of people in every organisation,” says Philip.

'With many organisations still relying upon username and password for remote access, it would have meant it was game over for many of the organisations involved.”

Philip indicates there were a few simple warning signs in the phishing email which should have raised alarm bells.

'We made the email look like it was sent from an employee within the organisation, but the name did not match the email address. The email also did not include a signature block, and there was no personalised greeting – a couple of red flags.”

The Connect Smart website has advice for individuals looking to improve their cyber security, including a tip sheet on how to recognise and avoid phishing attacks.

Director of the National Cyber Policy Office Paul Ash urged people to think before they click.

'Employees should look out for suspicious, unsolicited emails requesting personal information or other information relating to their workplace. They should take care to verify links or attachments are genuine before clicking on them.”

For more information about Connect Smart Week and other initiatives, visit www.connectsmart.govt.nz

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