Australia faces rising AI-driven scams and vulnerable government IT systems

Australian authorities warn that scammers are now using artificial intelligence to harvest personal details from social media and crack passwords with high accuracy. The Department of Home Affairs reported that 64 % of Australians have personal information publicly visible online, and about 30 % reuse that data in their passwords, making them easy targets for AI‑assisted attacks. Experts recommend using long, unique passphrases, enabling multi‑factor authentication and limiting the amount of personal data shared online.

At the same time, the Australian federal government’s outdated computer networks are leaving essential public services exposed to sophisticated cyber threats. Legacy systems, some described as comparable to a 1992 Volvo on an electric charger, consume up to 40 % of agency tech budgets and hinder modern security measures. Analysts warn that without replacement, these systems could be vulnerable to future quantum‑computing attacks, which might break current encryption. The Australian Cyber Security Centre has ordered agencies to identify their weakest points and develop upgrade plans by the end of 2026, with a potential $1.4 billion annual saving if the legacy infrastructure is retired.