Shaun Barnett
Blog by Shaun Barnett
ALS Global breach update: stolen data now published online
25.06.26 09:28
The ALS Global breach has escalated — the Aur0ra ransomware group has published the stolen data, now confirmed by ALS. Exposed: plain-text passwords, passport scans, bank details and payroll records. Here's what it means if you're affected, and the steps to protect yourself today.
What is a "hashed" password? (explained without the jargon)
22.06.26 11:12
If you've ever read a data breach notice, you've probably seen a line like: "The good news is that passwords were hashed." It's meant to be reassuring — but if you don't know what "hashed" means, it just sounds like more tech-speak.
So let's clear it up properly, in plain English...
An Australian giant in the crosshairs: what the ALS Global ransomware claim means for you
22.06.26 09:59
Ransomware group Aurora has listed ALS Global — an ASX-listed Brisbane testing giant — on its leak site, claiming stolen data. It's unverified for now, but it's a reminder your data lives in companies you've never directly used. Here's what it means and the simple steps to protect yourself.
Harcourts and SafePay: an update on the ransomware claim
22.06.26 09:25
Harcourts is now investigating the SafePay ransomware gang's claim that it stole company data — nothing's confirmed yet. If you've ever rented or bought through them, here's what it means, why real estate is such a target, and the one step that matters most: never trust emailed bank-detail changes.
When the Person You Love Online Doesn't Exist
19.05.26 14:40
How online scammers prey on trust — and what families can do about it