Cyber criminals steal $1 billion according to Symantec's annual Norton Report

CYBER criminals have stolen $1 billion from Australians this year - but prying partners are also spying on private data.

PRYING partners have joined cyber criminals in hacking into Australians' computer and smartphone accounts - at a cost of $1 billion a year.

Half of Australia's adult population has fallen prey to online crime in the past year, the latest global survey of cybercrime reveals.

Symantec's annual Norton Report shows the cost of cyber crime in Australia plunged from $1.65bn last year to just over $1bn this year, as criminals skimmed smaller amounts in online fraud.

The average cost per victim was $201 this year, compared to $306 in 2012.

Symantec Australia's director of technology, Sean Kopelke, yesterday said cyber crims were skimming smaller amounts that were less likely to be detected or reported to police.

A new scam was to hold computers "hostage'' by encrypting or freezing files remotely, then demanding $10 or $20 in "ransom payments'' to unlock the data.

Another tactic was to "blackmail'' computer users by remotely locking the computer and sending a fake email, ostensibly from the Australian Federal Police.

"It will say something like, "We've detected you have been surfing inappropriate websites and are locking your computer - you must pay a $35 fine to unlock it','' Mr Kopelke said.

"They can also take control of your computer's camera, photograph you using it, and attach the photo to the message.''

But Mr Kopelke warned that cyber criminals were not the only security risk - the Norton survey reveals that prying partners and friends are also snooping on personal files and social media accounts.

"One in 10 people have accessed their partner or friend's account without their permission,'' he said.

"(Of those), 41 per cent did it because they were curious, 26 per cent were playing a joke, and 18 per cent were checking the honesty of their friend or partner.''

The survey found one in three smartphone users has experienced "mobile cybercrime'' in the past 12 months.

And one in five adults has lost a phone or had it stolen.

A quarter of wi fi users have accessed their bank account on public or unsecured wi fi, such as free wireless in parks or on trains.

Mr Kopelke urged people to install security software on their smartphones and tablets, to encrypt sensitive data such as financial records and private information.

"People need to use stronger passwords, back up their device and change their passwords regularly,'' he said.

Mr Kopelke said computer users should never pay the money demanded by extortionists, even if only a few dollars.

"Never pay the fees because the moment you do, the criminal has your credit information,'' he said.

"Quite often people may pay it and they still don't get their data unencrypted.''.

HOW TO OUTWIT THE CYBER CRIMS

USE strong passwords and change them regularly.

ENSURE "https'' is in the web address for financial or personal transactions.

INSTALL security software and keep it updated.

DON'T send sensitive emails on public wi fi.

CHECK your credit card and bank statements regularly.

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