Thursday, October 16, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Hackers Love That You Hate This

No one loves cyber security. 2FA, redundant backups, password manager pop-ups - it’s all annoying. Know who loves it when you don’t bother though? Yep, hackers. That’s what they’re very literally banking on (b—tards).

So much of our life happens online now. For better or worse, we live in a digital age - and criminals exist there just as much as they do in the real world. Last week, I spoke at Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce’s Cyber Security Awareness event about simple, practical ways to keep your business safe – from a marketing perspective. Here are a few quick takeaways worth actioning today.

  1. Social media is a hacker’s paradise.
    A hacked page can destroy trust, leak client info or be used to scam your followers. Set up two-factor authentication (ugh, I know), audit your admins regularly + never click sketchy links.
  2. Impersonation isn’t flattery.
    Anyone can copy your logo or name and start scamming people in your place. Set up Google Alerts for your brand, remind customers what you won’t ask for online + report fakes fast.
  3. Your favourite tools can be entry points.
    Platforms like Canva, Meta Business Suite or Mailchimp are all connected. Use unique passwords, delete ex-staff promptly + get a password manager to keep everything tight.

Just like you wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked or broadcast your PIN, online safety is your responsibility. It’s a pain, but a much smaller one than explaining to your clients how their data got into the wrong hands.

Cyber security is not just about you. It’s about your clients, your team + your business. When you skip the boring stuff, it’s not only your data at risk - it’s everyone who trusts you.

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