One New Zealand has achieved a remarkable milestone in its fight against cyber threats by using the Malware Free Networks (MFN) service. In the first six weeks of its deployment, MFN has successfully blocked 313,000 phishing scams and harmful threats.
Additionally, One New Zealand is the only telco in Aotearoa that implements cybersecurity features at the network level. This is in partnership with DEFEND and the GCSB’s National Cyber Security Centre to protect subscribers against malware and malicious URLs.
Jason Paris, CEO at One New Zealand, reiterated the company’s commitment to providing a safe mobile network for their consumers, saying, “We hate scammers, and we’re tackling them head-on. The vast majority of threats disrupted by MFN on One NZ’s networks relate to phishing and scams, with the remainder being various other forms of malware. These stats prove if you’re a One New Zealand customer, you’re safer.”
The technology works by making suspicious URLs from text messages inaccessible. The usual suspects are the countless fraudulent text messages that New Zealanders receive, warning them of missing parcels or incomplete tax returns. When subscribers receive such messages, the links won’t work, saving them from potential scams.
“Typically, scammers will register website addresses that look like the real deal in an attempt to appear authentic. They will then bulk send out text messages with the link in attempt to get people to click and share their banking or other personal information,” explained Wenzel Huettner, CEO, DEFEND.
One New Zealand assured customers that it would continuously invest in systems and processes to further strengthen its network, combat security threats and provide subscribers with a safer digital environment.
