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.

Join our free daily newsletter here.

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

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

Got a question? Share it via our website, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook, and get it answered by the Fear & Greed team.

Short, sharp answers to questions about business, investing, economics or politics.&nbsp;
Got a&nbsp;question? Share it via our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://fearandgreed.com.au&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1751335061469871&amp;usg=AOvVaw1HZbjwVzd0KVNX_Nj77aql">website</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/fear-and-greed&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1751335061469871&amp;usg=AOvVaw2idXkiO2ADJk9vNayUJoEU">LinkedIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/fearandgreedpodcast/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1751335061469871&amp;usg=AOvVaw2imBHzuvcQNVIjANKic57B">Instagram</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/FearAndGreedPodcast&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1751335061469871&amp;usg=AOvVaw10gu_Ebz3IYwqq_hchg7Km">Facebook</a>, and get it answered by the Fear &amp; Greed team.

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

Tuesday 15 September 2026

The federal government and opposition unite in criticising One Nation’s immigration policy, and Pauline Hanson’s comments on indigenous Australians. 
The RBA’s chief economist warns that inflation is too high. 
The Whyalla Steelworks to close with the loss of 600 jobs
How AI writes the resume, reads it, and conducts the interview
Why Tesla owners might pay less for car insurance.

 

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and join our free daily newsletter here. 

 

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That?- Your super is changing. Here's what to check. Get the episode from Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Tuesday 15 September 2026
The federal government and opposition unite in criticising One Nation&rsquo;s immigration policy, and Pauline Hanson&rsquo;s comments on indigenous Australians.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The RBA&rsquo;s chief economist warns that inflation is too high.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Whyalla Steelworks to close with the loss of 600 jobs</li>
<li aria-level="1">How AI writes the resume, reads it, and conducts the interview</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Tesla owners might pay less for car insurance.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Hit follow on the podcast so you don&rsquo;t miss the latest news, and join our free <a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup">daily newsletter here</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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> - Your super is changing. Here's what to check. 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.

One Nation blasted on immigration; AI takes control of jobs; Tesla insurance cheaper

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a1b7e448-f3a2-4417-87d2-b4c500d83fcb/transcript

Australia has a strong and resilient financial system. But the regulator responsible for keeping it that way is increasingly focused on what happens when several major risks hit at once — a scenario APRA describes as a “polycrisis”.

Sean Aylmer speaks with APRA Chair John Lonsdale about the risks facing banks, insurers and super funds holding more than $10 trillion on behalf of Australians. They discuss AI and cyber threats, vulnerabilities created by shared technology providers, housing and household debt, and APRA’s push to reduce unnecessary regulation without compromising financial stability.

Australia has a strong and resilient financial system. But the regulator responsible for keeping it that way is increasingly focused on what happens when several major risks hit at once &mdash; a scenario APRA describes as a &ldquo;polycrisis&rdquo;. Sean Aylmer speaks with APRA Chair John Lonsdale about the risks facing banks, insurers and super funds holding more than $10 trillion on behalf of Australians. They discuss AI and cyber threats, vulnerabilities created by shared technology providers, housing and household debt, and APRA&rsquo;s push to reduce unnecessary regulation without compromising financial stability.

Q+A: What keeps the chair of APRA awake at night?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/ee30226c-082d-4844-9e3e-b4c500d83d36/transcript

This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes.


ASX up 0.1pc as oil tops $US107


REA forced to loosen listing rules


Sussan Ley joins Snowy Hydro


Woodside chairman contender quits


Russia strikes train near Polish border

Join our free daily newsletter here.

This is the <a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/">Fear &amp; Greed</a> Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes.
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">
ASX up 0.1pc as oil tops $US107
</li>
<li aria-level="1">
REA forced to loosen listing rules
</li>
<li aria-level="1">
Sussan Ley joins Snowy Hydro
</li>
<li aria-level="1">
Woodside chairman contender quits
</li>
<li aria-level="1">
Russia strikes train near Polish border
</li>
</ol>
Join our <a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup">free daily newsletter here</a>.

Afternoon Report | ASX up 0.1pc as oil tops $US107

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/fdaa74ce-b646-46c9-8744-b4c5007630ab/transcript

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

In 2 playlist(s)

FEAR & GREED | Business News

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips