Ransomware attacks are still a major threat to Australian businesses of all sizes. But the tactics involved are changing, and at the same time, attitudes towards reporting and paying ransoms are evolving too.

Darren Hopkins - Head of Cyber at McGrathNicol - and Brendan Payne - Cyber Partner at McGrathNicol - talk to Sean Aylmer about their latest report on ransomware, including some good news about average payments to attackers.

McGrathNicol is a supporter of Fear & Greed.

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Ransomware attacks are still a major threat to Australian businesses of all sizes. But the tactics involved are changing, and at the same time, attitudes towards reporting and paying ransoms are evolving too. Darren Hopkins - Head of Cyber at McGrathNicol - and&nbsp;Brendan Payne - Cyber Partner at McGrathNicol - talk to Sean Aylmer about their latest report on ransomware, including some good news about average payments to attackers. McGrathNicol is a supporter of Fear &amp; Greed. Join our<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1763808675134483&amp;usg=AOvVaw3A-0-pPlSlE9kexDaBDMma">&nbsp;free daily newsletter here</a>.

Business news you can use. A daily business news podcast with journalists Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson. Find out more at https://fearandgreed.com.au

Business news you can use. A daily business news podcast with journalists <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0wu3ezGEfBZFYspJbTTaYL">Sean Aylmer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw08pZ8jZ88rHJgCfbHkTr5k">Michael Thompson</a>.&nbsp;Find out more at&nbsp;<a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain%3Dfearandgreed.com.au/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1DLq_FuqjEt3HC-ZK1704H">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

Fear and Greed is Australia's most popular business podcast.

FEAR & GREED | Business News

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Short, sharp answers to questions about business, investing, economics or politics. 

Fear & Greed Q+A

Daily business news for people who make their own decisions, with business journalist Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson. Find out more at https://fearandgreed.com.au

Daily business news for people who make their own decisions, with business journalist <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/">Sean Aylmer</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/">Michael Thompson</a>. Find out more at <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

Q+A: The $711,000 cost many businesses are still willing to pay

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/51497131-a0d3-4142-8507-b39800b297a5/transcript

Monday 20 April 2026

Today, the success of the big banks and miners is creating risk for ASX investors, as financial markets are buffeted by the war in the Middle East. 
The Strait of Hormuz re-opens, and then closes, with hopes peace talks could reconvene as early as tonight
The Wall Street stock that jumped 900 per cent in three days
Banks battle for mortgage money
Robots beat humans at the Beijing half marathon

Join our free daily newsletter here.

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - what’s your money personality… and is it costing you? Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Monday 20 April 2026
Today, the success of the big banks and miners is creating risk for ASX investors, as financial markets are buffeted by the war in the Middle East.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The Strait of Hormuz re-opens, and then closes, with hopes peace talks could reconvene as early as tonight</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Wall Street stock that jumped 900 per cent in three days</li>
<li aria-level="1">Banks battle for mortgage money</li>
<li aria-level="1">Robots beat humans at the Beijing half marathon</li>
</ul>
Join our<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup"> free daily newsletter here</a>.
And don&rsquo;t miss the latest episode of<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/"> How Do They Afford That?</a> - what&rsquo;s your money personality&hellip; and is it costing you? Get the episode from<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235"> APPLE</a>,<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14"> SPOTIFY</a>, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

ASX risks rise as banks, miners dominate and Iran rattles markets

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/cb21b3d0-a8a5-4749-a5d9-b43100cb82e0/transcript

What to make of last week's dismal business confidence and consumer sentiment figures, what the labour figures tell us about the RBA's next interest rate move, and a closer look at the Aussie dollar's strong run. Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas.

Join our free daily newsletter here.

What to make of last week's dismal business confidence and consumer sentiment figures, what the labour figures tell us about the RBA's next interest rate move, and a closer look at the Aussie dollar's strong run. Michael Thompson is joined by economist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.marketeconomics.com.au/stephen-koukoulas&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1777033300403761&amp;usg=AOvVaw3eL00B1SEtcQ3BxCRaMPst">Stephen Koukoulas</a>. Join our<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1777033300403761&amp;usg=AOvVaw0DAxXnwXFfAYfYpkZcJFHb">&nbsp;free daily newsletter here</a>.

Q+A: The Week Ahead | 20 April 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/ca9c8b2a-8f9f-40bf-b5ba-b43100cb7fcd/transcript

Have we made travel easier... but somehow worse? From seat space and in-flight Wi-Fi to queues, convenience and expectations, Michael quizzes Sean and Adam on what really makes a good trip today.

Does experience still matter more than efficiency? Do airline and hotel brands still influence decisions? How does travel change depending on who you’re with?

Plus, their one fix to improve travel immediately... including a very specific request from Sean.

Have we made travel easier... but somehow worse? From seat space and in-flight Wi-Fi to queues, convenience and expectations, Michael quizzes Sean and Adam on what really makes a good trip today. Does experience still matter more than efficiency? Do airline and hotel brands still influence decisions? How does travel change depending on who you&rsquo;re with? Plus, their one fix to improve travel immediately... including a very specific request from Sean.

Five Questions: Have we made travel worse - even as it’s gotten easier?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a92dcce2-27cb-4089-9197-b42f00cbab81/transcript

Q+A: The $711,000 cost many businesses are still willing to pay

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