With cyber attacks on governments and businesses becoming increasingly common, it pays for all computer users to improve their cyber security.
Deakin University chair of information security Matt Warren said there were many things people could do to protect their personal information from hackers.
What are hackers after?
Professor Warren said hackers were motivated by two different desires.
"There is a group of hackers that is motivated by financial gain," he said.
"They want to get credit card details or log in details to be able to carry out fraud, like identity theft."
The other group of hackers was after notoriety and acclaim for targeting high profile businesses and institutions, Professor Warren said.
"They're after bragging rights," he said.
"Their esteem in their community is increased by [hacking into] more high profile targets. They will steal infomation just to disclose it via the internet to show the world 'this is what I've done'.
File photo. Source: Getty Images
How do hackers get in?
The interconnectedness of major websites and online systems meant hackers could exploit weaknesses rather than cracking passwords, Professor Warren said.
This included websites that used third party systems like Java or Flash to make their websites work.
"The problem we're now facing is all technology is becoming more and more complex," Professor Warren said.
"Organisations themselves are having difficulty comprehending the systems. It only takes one vulnerability to be exploited.
"Many organisations are having problems dealing with the complexity of the system and it's just going to get worse in the future. Organisations have the awareness of what they should be doing, but the problem is the technology and all the systems is it based on is very complex."
He said most of the time hackers will exploit a weakeness in a third party system to make their way around online security protocols.
Professor Warren said it could be difficult for organisations to keep up with the patches and fixes required to plug wholes in all their online systems and software.
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What can you do to be cyber safe?
Cyber safety is not limited to having more complicated passwords.
Professor Warren said keeping computer security software up to date was crucial to protecting personal information from hackers.
"I have made Friday my update day where I make a point to update every piece of technology I have so it becomes a habit," he said.
He said phishing email scams were also an easy way for hackers to gain access to personal information.
Phishing emails usually include a link purporting to be offering the receiver money or something similar.
When clicked the link downloads malware on to the receiver's computer, allowing the hacker access to log in details, keystroke logs and other information that could be used to steal the person's identity.
"The problem is many of us use one or two passwords on all our social media," Professor Warren said.
"Facebook and Google have log ins that can be used to authenticate yourself on other sites."
This meant that if a hacker was able to get one password it was easier for them to move through to other sites and collect more personal information, he said.
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The key was to use additional security measures, such as having a text message sent each time a log in attempt is made, but many people found these onerous and annoying and did not use them, which was a mistake, Professor Warren said.
Hackers can get into my computer - what about my smart phone?
Professor Warren said Android smartphones were more prone to being hacked, or having tainted apps loaded on to them, than Apple products.
"With Android it is an open source platform so it mean there's greater potential to get malware in apps," he said.
"There's even been examples of infected apps being posted through the Google app store.
"The Apple products tend to be more secure around viruses because they system is very closed.
"It's not as big of an issue for Applie technology."
