Australian securities regulators are advising investors to review their online account security after authorities uncovered security breaches in online trading accounts.
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission is calling on investors that use online brokers to urgently review their account security. “During regular surveillance of the Australian financial markets, [the] ASIC has become aware of several stockbroking account intrusions involving unauthorized access and trading,” it says.
The ASIC reports that it is working with online brokerage firms to help clients who have been impacted. And, it says it’s also working with other authorities “to identify the source of the intrusions and pursuing a line of enquiry consistent with similar incidents in overseas markets”.
For investors, the ASIC recommends that clients of online brokers check their transaction history, change their passwords, and ensure their computer virus software is up-to-date, as soon as possible. It also suggests that investors do this regularly.