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Optus hack – which businesses are at the highest risk of hacks?

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A hacker has threatened to release the private information of millions of Optus customers, this includes passports, medicare numbers, drivers licenses and banking information

If you’re one of the millions of Australians affected by the recent Optus data breach, you may be wondering what to do next.

Fortunately, the government has announced that Optus will be footing the bill for anyone who needs to change their driver’s licence number and get a new card.

This process is expected to cost the telco millions of dollars.

In the meantime, if you are concerned about your identity being compromised, experts recommend taking steps to protect yourself such as monitoring your credit report and changing your passwords and identity documents.

Optus has also set up a dedicated hotline for customers who want to know more about the data breach and what it means for them.

The hacker claimed to have accessed Optus customer names, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s licence numbers and credit.

They demanded a $1m ransom in cryptocurrency and threatened to release the data otherwise.

Now, they claim the data has been deleted, but there is no proof of this.

Can the hacker be found?

Susie Jones, Chief Executive at Cynch Security says it can be incredibly difficult to find cybercriminals “which is why it’s such a large market these days unfortunately.”

However, the the actions that they’re taking “certainly does indicate that they’re getting cold feet and certainly becoming a lot more nervous about the attention”.

“So whilst the pessimist cyber CEO hitting me says that they won’t be found. The optimistic Australian certainly hope they will be,” Susie says.

How long do people have to worry about hackers using their stolen ID information?

Good news – It’s not too late.

“The first step that they should be doing is really remaining vigilant and making sure that they’re scrutinising all of their bank accounts, all of their phone records, making sure that they’re really staying on top of what it is that is going on in their accounts and their personal data and personal lives,” Susie says.

“Being very, very careful around scam phone calls and emails. cyber attackers are very good at that now and they will be actively exploiting this opportunity.”

Susie says to make sure that you’re remaining vigilant and stay on top of what the latest scams are, so that you can spot them and delete them straight away.

Optus is in the business of dealing with people’s data and tech as one of Australia’s largest telco’s – what businesses are at the highest risk of ransomeware attacks?

“Businesses of every size, doesn’t matter if you’re a sole trader right up to the likes of Optus, are actively being attacked by cyber criminals every minute of every day.”

“But that’s just a reality. What this does do is raise awareness that personal data that is this is collect, even if it might seem small to yourself, and to the likes of hope this can be incredibly valuable and also from hands can be very, very damaging,” Susie says.

“So for those businesses that are not having to respond directly to this attack, they should be actively reviewing their own processes reviewing what personal information do they collect and store and making sure that they’re keeping it safe.

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International brands adapt strategies to reach Chinese consumers

International brands adapt strategies to engage Chinese consumers through localisation, data insights, and cultural integration amidst market challenges

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International brands adapt strategies to engage Chinese consumers through localisation, data insights, and cultural integration amidst market challenges

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In Short:
– U.S. and European brands are refining strategies to engage Chinese consumers despite economic slowdown.
– Localisation and consumer data are crucial for successful market entry and product development in China.
China’s economic slowdown has not deterred U.S. and European brands from redefining strategies to engage Chinese consumers.

The nation remains an enticing market, prompting companies to innovate amid rising local competition.Kraft Heinz, for example, has enlisted a local agency to enhance its ketchup sales, utilising promotional campaigns that resonate culturally, such as marketing ketchup in stir-fried egg dishes. Competition in this market is dynamic, with shifts in consumer behaviour evident over time.

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Brands, including Starbucks and Lululemon, demonstrate that successful entry often hinges on localisation.

Effective international marketing strategies dedicate significant resources to content-first campaigns, tailoring products to local preferences. Under Armour’s approach features affordable product lines and community-building through livestreams.

Foreign investment remains robust in China’s evolving market, with brands adapting to new social commerce norms exemplified by platforms like Douyin. The shift presents unique challenges requiring comprehensive strategies, which can quickly yield substantial sales benefits.

Data Utilisation

Access to consumer data is critical for brands navigating the Chinese market. E-commerce platforms like Alibaba provide detailed consumer insights, allowing companies to innovate based on market needs. An example is Perfect Diary, a makeup brand, which successfully developed targeted products for price-sensitive consumers.

With the recent iPhone 17 launch, JD.com reported strong preorder volumes, highlighting the relevance of tailored features in attracting local interest. Companies that establish local R&D facilities gain a competitive edge by developing products that align with local tastes swiftly.

Cultural engagement is paramount for brands aiming to resonate with Chinese consumers.

Collaborations with local artisans signify a deeper cultural integration. Despite market challenges, innovative store designs, like LVMH’s new Shanghai location, reflect a blend of heritage and modern consumer values.


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How do banks assess you for a home loan?

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Ama Samarasinghe, RMIT University

Navigating the money side of buying a home can be daunting – especially if it’s your first time.

Unless you’ve recently come into a small fortune, you’ll need to have saved a deposit and take out a home loan.

That means engaging with the world of banks and mortgage brokers, and grappling with what might be intimidating-sounding jargon – terms like “pre-approval”, “offset accounts” and “serviceability buffers”.

Here’s a general guide to some of the essential steps: how to figure out what you can afford, how the loan process works, and some key things to watch out for before taking the plunge.

How much can you afford?

Taking out a home loan means you’ll be required to make regular repayments over many years. So, a bank or other lender will first want to make sure you can afford them.


This article is part of The Conversation’s series on buying a first home.

We’ve asked experts to unpack some of the biggest topics for first-home buyers to consider – from working out what’s affordable and beginning the search, to knowing your rights when inspecting a property and making an offer.


It’s important to understand the difference between borrowing capacity and affordability.

Your borrowing capacity is the amount a lender is willing to offer you, based on your income and debts, and their own stress tests. Affordability, on the other hand, is about you – your lifestyle, choices and actual spending patterns.

These two things are related but don’t always align, so it’s important to factor affordability into your decision. Being clear on both helps you avoid taking on more debt than you can comfortably manage.

Doing your own calculations first

It’s a good idea to start with your own numbers. List all your household expenses over at least the past six months – everything from groceries to streaming subscriptions – and work out the monthly average.

Streaming apps on a smart TV
Monthly subscriptions – such as streaming services – can have an impact on borrowing power.
Oscar Nord/Unsplash

After setting aside some room for savings and unexpected costs, the remainder gives you an indication of what could be available for mortgage repayments.

As a rule of thumb, many suggest keeping repayments to no more than about 30% of your after-tax income.

Here are a few tips to avoid mortgage stress:

  • Budget for reality, not hope. Don’t assume you’ll slash spending just because you’ve bought a home.
  • Stress-test your budget. Could you still make the repayments if your interest rate rose by 0.25–0.5%? What if it rose by 1-2%?
  • Don’t forget the extra costs that come up with home ownership. Factor in insurance, council rates and higher utility bills in a larger home.

How much will the bank lend you?

Your borrowing power depends mainly on:

  • household income
  • living expenses and debts (credit cards, car loans, buy-now-pay-later arrangements)
  • number of financial dependants.

Most banks have online calculators in their banking apps to check your borrowing capacity. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)’s Moneysmart site also provides calculators for borrowing and repayments.

Lenders are also required by law to check a borrower could still afford repayments if interest rates rose by a certain amount. This “serviceability buffer” is currently three percentage points.

Pre-approval doesn’t guarantee a loan

Getting pre-approval means a lender has reviewed your finances and indicates they’re willing, in principle, to lend you up to a certain amount.

But it isn’t a binding contract. You’re not locked into taking the loan, and the lender isn’t legally bound to provide it.

Still, getting pre-approval can have some benefits, including:

  • giving you confidence about your borrowing capacity
  • helping set realistic price limits and narrowing a property search
  • signalling to real estate agents and sellers that you’re a serious buyer, which can make you more competitive in a hot market.

At auctions, pre-approval is especially important. Once the hammer falls, the sale is binding – there’s no cooling-off period and no finance clause.

If you don’t have pre-approval in place, you could win the bid but may be unable to secure finance, leaving you at risk of losing your deposit.

Different types of loan

One of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to go with a principal and interest loan or an interest-only loan.

Principal and interest is the standard choice. Each repayment reduces both your loan balance and the interest owed. Most first-home buyers opt for this option because it steadily pays down the debt.

Interest-only loans mean that for an agreed period (say five years), you only cover the interest. Repayments are lower during that time, but the loan balance itself doesn’t shrink.

To illustrate, if you took out a $200,000 interest-only loan at 5% for five years, you’d pay $10,000 a year in interest. But at the end of the five years, you would still owe the full $200,000.

Interest-only loans can make sense for some investors focused on cash flow, but they’re far less common for first-home buyers.

Finding a loan

There are many ways to find a loan that suits your needs. You can compare products directly with lenders, use comparison sites, or go through a mortgage broker.

Mortgage brokers compare loans on your behalf and are often paid a commission by the lender, meaning you aren’t directly charged a fee.

It’s important to make sure they’re licensed (check ASIC’s professional register), reputable, and – if possible – recommended by family or friends.

A good broker will break down fees, features and hidden costs so you’re comparing more than just the interest rate. Before you sit down with a broker, think about what matters most to you: getting the lowest cost loan, or flexibility through features?

Take offset accounts as an example, where savings can reduce interest on the loan. An offset is a transaction account linked to your loan. If you owe $450,000 but keep $30,000 in the offset, you’ll only pay interest on $420,000.

Another common feature is called a redraw facility. This lets you make extra repayments (thus reducing the amount of interest you pay) and withdraw them later if needed.


Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is not intended as financial advice. All investments carry risk.The Conversation

Ama Samarasinghe, Lecturer, Financial Planning and Tax, RMIT University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Money

Why most Australians aren’t ready for retirement

Australians’ retirement readiness declines as super fund trust wanes; expert shares insights and solutions for financial confidence.

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Australians’ retirement readiness declines as super fund trust wanes; expert shares insights and solutions for financial confidence.


Fewer than one in three Australians feel financially prepared for retirement, with trust in super funds falling and planning gaps widening. In this episode, Dale Gilham from Wealth Within explains why the nation is struggling with financial confidence.

We cover the most common mistakes retirees say they’ve made, how super fund distrust is reshaping decisions, and what role financial planning plays in boosting readiness.

Gilham also outlines the tools and resources Australians are seeking most as they look to secure their financial future. Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#Retirement #Superannuation #Finance #Australia #WealthPlanning #MoneyMatters #FinancialFreedom #TickerNews


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