We have just finished our First Webinar Episode of 2026!
After each webinar, we run an anonymous survey so you can have your questions answered by our local experts, build resources, and help guide Kiwis through the online world.
In this episode, we had a look at some case studies of companies in NZ that suffered data breaches, their impact on the people whose information was exposed, what happens in the aftermath of an attack, and how we can make sure that our risks are minimised.
Survey Results
Thank you to those who take the time to fill out these surveys, as a question you ask may be the answer for someone else, too. This session, we had more small business owners attending than those who weren’t:
As a result, a lot of the questions were centred around what to do if you are a small business that has been affected by a breach.
Your Questions
Anonymous: “A flow chart of the immediate steps to take when you believe you have been compromised. Really – it’s a bit like having an Evacuation Plan.”
We developed a free downloadable PDF that contains simple and easy guidance for this question. A lot of the responses also mentioned being the only one in charge of their cybersecurity, so this could be handy for you to keep up in your store or to introduce to other staff as well. Including: what to do for a breach in general, and the top 3 scams that affect small businesses. If you’re looking for more complex solutions, or want us to take a look at what security would be best for your situation personally, feel free to reach out to cybersmart@chillisoft.net
Download – What to do in a breach | SMB
Anonymous: “How to evaluate the security of something I’m signing up to”
This question has a bit of a complex answer, and that is because every sign-up is different; however, there are some tell-tale signs.
Using the recent Tai Chi Scam as an example scenario – let’s break it down.
- Users would find a local advertisement, group, or post on social media advertising Tai Chi classes in their area.
- Once engaged, they often direct users to a ‘sign up’ form, to enter their details, and it looked fairly legit.
- After entering the details, they were then encouraged to download an app (not from the official App or Google Play Store) to select their classes and register for them.
- When the app was downloaded, it began harvesting information from the users’ phones, including any payment/card information entered to book “classes”, to steal money from the victims’ accounts.
Image: A Facebook Scam Tai Chi Group
Many people love to support local, get involved in their communities to make new friends and enjoy various experiences. Unfortunately, these good intentions can also be taken advantage of.
However, that doesn’t mean you should stay away from new community events; you can be Cybersmart about it!
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Are there any reviews of this event/organisation? How long has it been operational? Do they have reputable affiliations?
- Always check with reputable sources or other locals who have attended, ask around!
- Never download mobile apps outside of official App Store/Play Store channels.
- The golden rule is that if you are feeling unsure, never make payments.
- Watch out for AI-generated content, unsolicited messages, or pressure/rushing from those involved with the group
For any online scenario you feel is ‘fishy’, we say – Go PHISH! Another free downloadable PDF with a memorable acronym that helps you navigate through most scam scenarios, regardless of type.
Anonymous: “I’d like to learn more about New Attacks”
We get threat statistics directly from ESET for New Zealand, showing us a clear picture of what attacks are rising and falling, as well as the latest threat alerts from reputable sources such as NZ Police, NCSC, banks, and News reports.
You can stay up to date by signing up to Our Newsletter, or following us on Facebook, where we deliver the latest updates right to your inbox. Our Newsletter is monthly to catch you up on the developments happening around NZ’s cyber landscape, and our Facebook page aims to update you on threats, news, developments and articles as they happen and to connect you with other fellow Cybersmart Kiwis.
Download – ESET Protection Tiers
Anonymous: “Social media is a concern, and I certainly would like to know more about protection measures.”
One question was asked more than any other, and that was how to stay secure and smart on social media. There is no doubt that the online landscape is rapidly changing, and with it, so have our experiences online with social media. What started as a way to connect with family and friends when you go home in the evenings has grown into something much larger than we can sometimes wrap our heads around.
Creating a guide for this would likely be more of a book than a couple of pages! It is exactly our topic of discussion in our upcoming webinar – “Digital Footprints – How much of your life is public online?”. We’ll be covering topics ranging from the evolution of Social Media, AI, scams, and how to create a social profile without opting out of staying connected. Whether that’s for you individually or your small business, being online isn’t something we can opt out of these days.
Staying One Step Ahead
Don’t see your question in here? We aim to summarise the most common questions from our survey in this article; however, we are always happy to answer any questions directly, too! Please reach out to us at cybersmart@chillisoft.net.
Become confident in navigating the digital world, stay one step ahead of the trends with our Cybersmart Newsletter and Webinars.
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