Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have been sent an unprecedented email from our National Cyber Security Centre.

It's emailed 26,000 addresses warning malicious software, called Lumma Stealer, could have infected their devices.

It's designed to steal sensitive information - and some stolen passwords are connected to Government agency systems and bank accounts.

Aura Information Manager, Patrick Sharp, says international partners revealed the threat to our cyber security centre.

He explained that presumably means an agency's uncovered a trove of stolen data and alerted the NCSC about the email addresses of concern.

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