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Australia is considering banning the paying of ransoms to cyber criminals to align it with the United States and the United Kingdom.
The proposed ban would make it illegal for companies and individuals to pay ransom to hackers to prevent further funding of cybercrime.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said, “The government would consider making illegal the paying of ransoms to cyber hackers, following recent cyber attacks affecting millions of Australians.”
This comes as Australia experiences a surge in cyber attacks, with businesses and government agencies increasingly targeted by hackers. Many high-profile Australian organisations have been attacked in the past year alone, including the Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, and the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Optus, Australia’s second-largest telco, has been breached since September. The company has confirmed that at least eight other businesses have also been targeted in the attacks.
The hackers have managed to gain access to the companies’ computer systems, where they have stolen customer data. This includes the names, phone numbers, and addresses of customers.
Optus has urged customers to be vigilant and has advised them to change their passwords and keep an eye on their accounts for any suspicious activity.
Cybercrime is a growing problem globally and is estimated to cost businesses trillions of dollars each year. By taking a stand against the payment of ransomware, Australia would be sending a strong message to hackers that their activities will not be tolerated.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said, “The government was doing all it could to limit the impact of the Medibank hack and had set up a phone service for affected customers to seek help from both the government and Medibank.”
The proposed ban is still in the early stages of discussion, and a decision has yet to be made. However, the issue of cybercrime is a top priority for the Australian government. They are taking steps to protect businesses and citizens from these threats.
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