18 Mar 2009

Special internet security units wanted

8:51 am on 18 March 2009

Netsafe is urging the Government to set up special security units to monitor the internet for hacking attacks.

Shell has revealed that 6000 customers in Australia and New Zealand have had personal details stolen after filling in an online application form for a fuel card.

Netsafe executive director Martin Cocker says hackers often target big corporates like Shell.

He says other Governments have established security emergency response teams, which sweep for internet security breaches, and it's time one was set up in New Zealand.

An internet security researcher at Auckland University, Peter Gutman, says people can reduce their exposure to hacking by limiting the amount of personal information they reveal online.