Suva, Fiji: Fiji is already vulnerable and exposed to cyber attacks, including attacks on EFTPOS machines, says an IT expert.

“It is not a matter of if it could happen here, it will happen in Fiji.

“It is only a matter of time,” said Chris Hammond-Thrasher, a computer security expert and former University of the South Pacific employee.

Mr Thrasher was responding to questions by FijiLive following the recent wave of attacks on EFTPOS machines in New South Wales.

The Australian media is reporting what has been described as “an unprecedented attack” by international criminal gang on retailers’ EFTPOS machines, “fleecing some $50 million from hard working Australians.”

“The wave of attacks on EFTPOS machines in NSW was described by NSW fraud squad head Detective Superintendent Colin Dyson as “the biggest I've seen".”

The NSW Police is urging people to change credit and debit card pin numbers to avoid the possibility of having their account balances wiped out, “as it was likely more cases would be identified in days to come,” www.news.com.au reported.

“However, such an attack, if it were to occur in Fiji, could be difficult to prosecute due to absence of legislation relating to cyber crime,” Thrasher said.
And according to Mr Thrasher, police investigation in Fiji will need to be upgraded if it is to handle a massive scale rampage like the Australian EFTPOS attacks.

In the new Crimes Decree 2009, expected to come into force next month, cyber crime is criminalized under “Computer Crimes” giving police the powers to arrest and charge perpetrators.