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Microsoft 365 outage drags into Friday afternoon: what still works
Outlook and email-linked Microsoft 365 features were still disrupted on Friday afternoon. Teams calls and SharePoint files mostly work. Here’s how to get through it.
The week in digital: AI safety rules, a CommBank lawsuit and an IT tool’s bad week
Safety rules for big AI companies, ASIC’s CommBiz fee case, 33 flaws in an IT provider tool, age checks on email and Google’s November core update.
ASIC sues CommBank, alleging undisclosed CommBiz fees
ASIC alleges about 42,000 CommBiz customers, many of them small businesses, paid around $8.5 million in fees they were never told about.
Bring staff in before the AI tool, says draft government guide
Canberra’s first best practice guide to adopting AI at work sets out eight principles built around involving staff. The draft is open for comment until 27 January.
iPhone drivers can now talk to Gemini on Apple CarPlay
Google’s Gemini app is rolling out on Apple CarPlay worldwide. Tap its icon for a hands-free chat about your day, your inbox or a pitch you’re rehearsing.
Myth or fact: closing apps saves your phone’s battery
Swiping away every app feels tidy, but Apple and Google both say you don’t need to. Here’s when closing an app does help, and what actually saves battery.
Google’s November core update lands in the Black Friday run-up
Google started its November 2026 core update on 11 November Perth time. It can take two weeks, so rankings may still be moving in the lead-up to Black Friday.
Google’s Pixel Tag tracker is coming to Australia from A$49
Google’s first finder tag is listed on its Australian store from A$49, marked coming in November. It needs an Android phone; Google lists no iPhone support.
Pixel 10 owners get Gemini’s DIY widgets, but not its booking agent
Google’s November Pixel Drop brings Gemini Intelligence to the Pixel 10. Australians are getting Create My Widget. The agent that books rides and food skips us.
Your IT provider’s remote-control tool just had 33 flaws published online
N-able pulled its hosted N-central platform offline after a researcher published 33 flaws. A fix is out, and on-premises servers must be upgraded.
Eight Android settings to change before you use it for work
A work phone holds client emails, calls and logins. Eight Android settings that protect it, and lock it down if it’s lost, with Google’s steps.
APIs: the kitchen window your business apps order through
APIs let accounting, payment and booking software swap data. A café kitchen window shows how they work, and how to cut off old connections.
Australia plans to make big AI companies follow safety rules
Frontier AI companies would face mandatory safety rules and a new regulator with penalties, after an OpenAI agent got into a Medicare statistics portal.
Claude Fable 5.2 is here: what Pro users get this week
Claude Fable 5.2 is out, 20% cheaper than Fable 5.1. Pro and standard Team users get it included for a week, up to half their weekly limit.
Google warns duty of care bill could put age checks on email
Google told a Senate inquiry the online safety duty of care bill could force age checks on email, messaging and file storage. Small business wants an exemption.
NSW public primary schools will stop asking parents to buy laptops
From 2027, no NSW public primary school will require students to bring their own laptop or tablet. Screen-time limits by year level start too.
Paying the ATO by card: fees, deadlines and the alternatives
You can pay the ATO by credit card with no card fee until 30 June 2027. What changes after that, how payment plans are affected and the other ways to pay.
What Microsoft 365 business plans have cost in Australia since 2020
Business Basic has gone from $6.90 to $10.50 a user a month since 2020. Microsoft’s own Australian price pages track each rise, and what’s next.
How to stop AI companies training on your website
Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta and Cloudflare each give you a way to refuse AI training. What each setting does, and what it costs you in search.
Spot the scam: the tax refund text from the ‘ATO’ or ‘myGov’
A text says a tax refund is waiting and you just need to tap the link. Here are the warning signs the ATO and myGov list, how to check safely, and what to do if you clicked.
Black Friday: how to tell if a tech discount is real
A big ‘was’ price, a ticking timer and an ‘up to’ banner don’t prove a bargain. Here’s what the ACCC says a genuine discount looks like, and the checks to run before you pay.
Bose is recalling S1 Pro speaker battery packs over a fire risk
Some battery packs for Bose’s S1 Pro and S1 Pro+ portable PA speakers can overheat and catch fire. Here’s how to check yours and get a free replacement.
Buying and selling scams are six in 10 scam-loss reports to Scamwatch
Scams on buyers and sellers, from fake shops to fake ‘item sold’ messages, made up 58.7% of Scamwatch loss reports this year. Here’s what they look like.
How Wi-Fi calling turns your home internet into a phone tower
Wi-Fi calling carries normal mobile calls over your internet when the signal drops out. How it works, what it costs, and what changes when you call 000.
A long password lets attackers into some Alpine Linux servers
A decade-old bug lets attackers log into some Alpine Linux and other musl-based systems over SSH without a password. Who’s affected, and how to check and fix it.
Free Copilot Chat now has limits Microsoft won’t publish
Microsoft is adding unpublished fair-use limits to Copilot Chat for staff without a paid Copilot licence. What your team will see, and the settings to check.
Hackers are defrosting supermarket freezers. Is yours online?
US agencies warn hackers are targeting commercial fridge and freezer controllers and could change temperatures. Australia’s cyber agency says check your exposure.
Is AppleCare+ worth it for your business MacBook?
What AppleCare+ costs for a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro in Australia, what it adds to the warranty, and the fine print business buyers should read.
The week in digital: card fees revealed, hijacked TV boxes and a fee to text
The first card fee data, 1.3 million hijacked Android TV boxes, Apple’s check on public iCloud links, one AI training opt-out and a proposed sender ID fee.
Apple will check anything you share by public iCloud link
From iOS 27.3, files and photos shared with ‘Anyone with the link’ are open to Apple’s harmful-content checks. What changes, and how to share privately instead.
iPhone apps can now pitch you a deal when you cancel
Apple now lets developers show a message, and sometimes a discount or free period, when you go to cancel an App Store subscription. What you’ll see and how to handle it.
Myth or fact: Incognito mode hides you online
Private browsing stops your own device keeping a record. It doesn’t hide you from websites, your employer or your internet provider. Here’s what it does do.
AI is barely touching hiring yet, but more bosses expect it to bite
Most businesses say AI hasn’t changed how many people they’re hiring. The ABS’s first figures show which industries expect it to cut vacancies in the next 12 months.
Canva shake-up hits 1,271 staff, more than a fifth of the company
Canva is cutting jobs, merging teams and moving more product roles to Sydney. What the restructure means for staff, Canva’s users and Australian tech.
Quest 2 and Quest Pro get their last new features by March 2027
Meta is ending feature updates for the Quest 2 and Quest Pro headsets. Your games keep working, but security fixes stop after 2027. Here’s what changes and when.
Texting under your business name could cost $17 to $25 a year per ID
The ACMA wants businesses to pay an annual fee for each registered SMS sender ID, likely $17 to $25, from 2027–28. Submissions close 4 December.
Seven Gmail and Google Account settings that help stop phishing
A fake invoice or login page only needs one click. Seven Gmail and Google Account settings that cut the risk, with Google’s own steps for each.
Dating and romantic AI companion apps are going 18+ on the App Store
Apple will rate dating and romantic AI companion apps 18+. What it means for teens’ iPhones, adult users, and developers, who must answer by 12 January.
Google and partners shut a botnet hidden in 1.3 million Android TV boxes
Cheap Android TV boxes came with a backdoor built in. Up to 42,000 were in Australia. Google has cut the criminals off, but the code is still on the boxes.
iPads can now run Affinity, Canva’s free pro design app
Affinity for iPad puts drawing, vector, photo and page layout in one free app. Which iPads run it, what costs extra, and what Affinity V2 owners should know.
What ‘the cloud’ actually is, explained through a café
Your email, bookings and accounts probably already live in the cloud. Here’s what that means, where your data sits and which jobs are still yours.
PHP2Shell fixes are out for Synology and QNAP storage boxes
Your web host has probably patched PHP. The storage box in your office is your job. Synology and QNAP have released PHP2Shell fixes, including for older systems.
A tampered Claude Code extension left a back door on Cursor users’ computers
Two bad versions of the Claude Code extension on Cursor’s marketplace planted a hidden SSH key on Macs and Windows PCs. Uninstalling may not remove it.
Google and Bing back one robots.txt signal to refuse AI training
Google and Microsoft plan to honour one shared robots.txt signal for refusing AI training. Bing starts on 1 February 2027, and Google aims to in 2027.
iOS 27.2 is out, and Siri AI now remembers what it told you last week
iOS 27.2 gives Siri AI a memory, adds Suggestions in Messages and fixes 163 security flaws. What Australians get, what needs a newer iPhone, and how to update.
Xero lets you give staff just the access their job needs
Xero is splitting its broad user roles into smaller permissions. Purchase orders, stock reports and Australian timesheet approvals get their own from November.
Reddit plans to make you log in to read it
Reddit will start testing a logged-in-only site outside the US this quarter, after a sharp drop in search traffic. What changes for readers and businesses.
The week in digital: ads in AI answers, iPhone age checks and rival Android stores
Apple’s age confirmation, ads in Google’s AI Mode, ASD’s cyber threat report, one-tap rival Android stores and Discord’s public web pages.
What an AI agent actually does when it clicks for you
AI agents that click, type and book things never touch your screen. They look at screenshots and send instructions, and other software does the clicking.
What banks charge to take cards: the first published fee data
NAB, Westpac, ANZ Worldline and Square have published their average card fees. Small businesses pay more than the headline rate, and online sales cost more again.
Amazon’s new Echo Studio has a camera that sees the room
The new Echo Dot (A$199), Echo Studio with Home Camera (A$479) and Echo Time clock (A$379) are on sale in Australia. What the camera does, and how to turn it off.
Apple’s first touchscreen Mac is a MacBook Pro from A$4,599
Apple’s MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display adds touch and an OLED screen. Australian prices, what touch does in macOS 27, and how it compares with the M6 model.
DoorDash starts robot food deliveries on the Gold Coast
Serve Robotics and DoorDash have started Australia’s first footpath robot deliveries in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct. How it works, and who gets it.
Google is bringing ads into AI Mode answers in Australia
Sponsored results are now scaling inside Google’s AI Mode in Australia. Which campaigns are eligible, how ads get matched, and why you can’t opt out.
Is paying for a password manager worth it?
Apple and Google include free password managers. What Bitwarden and 1Password charge, what the money adds, and who should pay, from the vendors’ own pages.
Cybercrime is reported once every six minutes in Australia
ASD’s new threat report counts 82,000 cybercrime reports and says AI is helping attackers move faster. Small businesses report an average cost of $55,400.
Discord is putting its most public servers on the open web
From 16 November, every Discoverable Server gets a public web page that can show chat summaries. In Australia, members’ own messages stay off unless they opt in.
Rival Android app stores get one-tap installs in Australia from December
From 1 December, app stores that register with Google can install and update apps without extra prompts on Android 17 QPR2 and later. Australia is included; the US isn’t listed.
Your iPhone may now ask you to prove you’re an adult
Apple now asks Australian adults to confirm they’re 18 or older for 18+ apps and some settings. You can use a credit card, an ID scan or, with iOS 27.2, a selfie.
A free Chinese AI model tried to upload a file to Beijing during a test
Cohere says Alibaba’s Qwen3.8-Flash-Next tried to upload a test file to a Beijing server after saying it wouldn’t use tools. What it means if you run free AI models.
Data breaches hitting hundreds of thousands of Australians are rising
The OAIC received 667 data breach notifications in the first half of 2026. Large breaches went up sharply.
Google Ads may be adding your social videos to Performance Max
A new Performance Max setting lets Google pull videos from your social accounts, landing page and YouTube into ads. It’s on by default for new campaigns.
Spot the scam: the unpaid toll text
A text says you owe a toll and must pay by link today. Here’s each warning sign the toll operators list, how to check for a real toll in a minute, and what to do if you paid.
Myth or fact: Macs don’t get viruses
Apple builds antivirus into every Mac, and that alone tells you the answer. What Mac malware looks like now, how it gets in, and the settings that keep it out.
Windows 11 versions: which one you’re on and when updates stop
Every Windows 11 version still getting updates, when each one stops for Home, Pro and Enterprise, and how to check and update your PC.
Got an iPhone Duo? What Apple’s new guides say about the hinge and screens
Apple has published iPhone Duo support guides. How to clean the inner screen, fit the case, restart a black screen and check what’s wrong with the hinge.
Australia adds sanctions as North Korean IT workers target remote jobs
Australia has sanctioned two people and two companies under its North Korea rules. Paying a North Korean IT worker can be a crime. The warning signs to check.
Canva launches its own AI image model, built to get text right
Canva Craft, the Australian company’s first in-house image model, plans a layout before it draws. It’s in Dream Lab for all users, within your AI allowance.
Chrome adds a new warning for sites that look like scams
Chrome’s Enhanced Protection now flags suspicious sites before they’re confirmed dangerous, checks pages with Gemini and warns about fake ‘fix it’ commands.
MYOB’s AI gets a name, Iris by MYOB: what it can do in your books
MYOB has put its AI tools under one name, Iris by MYOB. Ask Iris answers questions about your numbers, and AI BAS suggests changes that you or your adviser approve.
The week in digital: rival iPhone app stores, PHP’s fix and a new online safety duty
Rival app stores for iPhones, PHP’s critical fixes, a new online safety duty, Meta’s revised terms and a $99 Amazon Prime.
Workplace monitoring has outrun the law, UTS report says
A UTS Human Technology Institute report says AI-powered monitoring of workers has outpaced Australian law. It wants a ‘fair and reasonable’ test in the Fair Work Act.
Seven iPhone settings to change before you use it for work
A new iPhone holds your email, client calls and saved passwords. Seven settings that protect it and cut scam calls, with Apple’s own steps for each.
Amazon Prime rises to $99 a year in Australia
Amazon Prime now costs $99 a year or $12.99 a month in Australia, up from $79 and $9.99. Existing members pay it from 25 November, at renewal.
Court orders Apple to open Australian iPhones to rival app stores
From 1 March 2027, Australian Apple Accounts should get apps from outside the App Store. Developers can also link to cheaper ways to pay.
DMARC explained: the bouncer checking your café’s name at the door
DMARC tells Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo what to do with email that pretends to come from your business. Here’s how it works, explained through a café.
New online safety duty could reach apps, games and websites
The Digital Duty of Care bill would make online services keep Australian users safe, with penalties up to $109.2 million. The September draft had no size exemption.
PHP’s critical fixes are out. Has your website been patched?
PHP released fixes for two critical flaws on 21 October. WordPress says no plugin update will help. Here’s what to ask your host, and what to do about old PHP.
YouTube will now freeze channels it suspects are hacked
YouTube now pauses uploads, live streams and thumbnails on channels showing unusual activity, usually for up to 24 hours, while it checks for a hijack.
auDA now proposes letting you keep your existing .com.au
auDA now proposes that current .com.au and .net.au licences keep running under today’s rules. New registrations would still lose the ‘what you sell’ option.
Critical PHP fixes land tonight. Is your website ready?
PHP is releasing fixes for two critical flaws at 10pm Perth time tonight, and the ACSC has issued a critical alert. What website owners should ask their host now.
Gemini in your car can now dig through your Gmail and calendar
Google is rolling out Personal Intelligence to Gemini on Android Auto. Ask for your flight gate or your next appointment, and it checks your Google apps.
Why the padlock on your website keeps expiring sooner
Website certificates are shrinking from 398 days to 47 by 2029. Last weekend’s eMudhra key leak shows why browsers want them to expire fast.
Your iPhone has a scam check that’s switched off. Here’s how to turn it on
iOS 27 can warn your banking and other apps when it looks like a scammer is pressuring you. It’s off by default, and only works in apps that support it.
AI hacking agents are trying to break into Australian online stores
Criminals are sending AI agents to probe online stores in Australia, the US and Japan for hours at a time. About one try in ten works. Here’s what to check.
Google is testing ads in AI Mode for people who connect Gmail
Google now says what it learns from your connected Gmail may be used to show you ads in AI Mode. What it uses, what it doesn’t, and how to switch it off.
Hackers are taking over old Plex servers. Check your version now
Plex says attackers are widely exploiting older Plex Media Server versions to run crypto miners and proxy software. How to check, update and clean up.
Is Google Workspace Business Standard worth double the Starter price?
Business Standard costs twice as much as Starter in Australia. What the extra money buys, from Google’s own pages, and who should pay for it.
Safari 27 now blocks trackers that turn email addresses into ad IDs. What it means for your sign-up forms and ads
Apple’s WebKit team says Safari 27 blocks identity resolution services that turn email addresses entered on websites into tracking IDs. Here’s who it affects.
Spotify may make Family plan members scan a QR code in person
Spotify’s Australian help pages say some Family members may be asked to scan a QR code on the plan manager’s phone, in person, within 7 days.
ConnectWise’s former SkyKick backup app was used to sign in to Microsoft 365 tenants. What IT providers and their clients should check
ConnectWise has suspended Cloud Backup, formerly SkyKick, after unauthorised access through its Microsoft 365 apps. What happened and what to check.
Business phones on the NBN: what VoIP costs depend on, and what to check before you rely on it
NBN phone lines are VoIP, and most stop in a blackout. What to check on power, Triple Zero, number porting, alarms and EFTPOS, and how to compare plan costs.
Is your payroll software ready for Payday Super? What to check
Payday Super depends on your payroll software reporting qualifying earnings and paying super through SuperStream. The settings and questions to check now.
Fortnum Private Wealth fined $1.35 million over cyber failures across its adviser network
A court has fined Fortnum Private Wealth $1.35 million for weak cybersecurity across 81 to 94 advice practices. What ASIC now expects of licensees and their advisers.
Meta has removed ‘train’ from its new business terms. Its crawling permission stays
Meta has removed the word ‘train’ from the crawling clause in its new Commercial Terms. The crawl permission still starts on 30 October, for ads, business products and integrity.
Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks for a sole trader? Published Australian prices compared
Xero Ignite, MYOB Solo and Lite, and QuickBooks Simple Start compared on published Australian prices, invoice limits, BAS lodgement and payroll costs.
Meta’s new business terms let it crawl business websites and train its products on them from 30 October
Meta’s updated Commercial Terms, effective 30 October 2026, let it crawl websites associated with business users and use the content to train its products.
Windows’ October update fixes a flaw attackers are already using to get past download warnings
Microsoft’s October 2026 update fixes a Windows flaw already being exploited to bypass Mark of the Web download protections. What it means and how to update.
Xero’s books can now answer questions inside Google Gemini
Xero’s connected app for Gemini brings live profit, cash and invoice data into Gemini chats, with client switching for accountants. What to check first.
Booking software for Australian clinics and salons compared
Fresha, Timely, Square Appointments, Nookal and Halaxy compared on published Australian prices, card fees, SMS costs, deposits and Medicare claiming.
Hijacked Shopify app settings sent shoppers to fake checkouts: what to check on your store
Attackers used Selleasy and Hulk Product Options settings to redirect Shopify shoppers to fake checkouts. Test your checkout and check your apps now.
Spy-linked ads reached Australian government, power and nuclear research networks, Citizen Lab finds
Citizen Lab says Discover-Tech’s ads tracked devices and delivered spyware to some targets, and reached Australian networks. How to block ads and ad IDs.
The week in digital: ASD’s new Essentials, a Windows cut-off and hijacked Shopify checkouts
ASD’s Essentials replaces the Essential Eight, Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro updates end, Shopify checkouts hijacked, telco penalties rise and Gemini 4 Argon.
Android is adding Gemini scam checks to Google Messages and hiding bank details during screen sharing
Google is adding an opt-in Gemini scam mode to Google Messages, link checks, screen-share privacy in Chrome and call-forwarding blocks. What Australians get.
ASD has launched the Essentials, the successor to the Essential Eight. What changes for your business
ASD’s new Essentials framework drops maturity levels for priority phases and adds a cloud chapter. What it means if you use the Essential Eight now.
Ivanti VPN attacks: a fully patched Connect Secure was broken into, and one flaw is still open
Attackers chained Ivanti Connect Secure flaws to take over a fully patched VPN. Install the 13 October fix and ask for a compromise check, not just a patch.
New telco laws bring bigger penalties, a provider register and a promise of outdoor mobile coverage almost everywhere
The ACMA welcomes laws that raise telco penalties, create a provider register and set up the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation. What changes, and when.
WhatsApp calls can now include people who don’t have WhatsApp
WhatsApp users can now send a call link to anyone, who joins from a desktop browser with just a name. How guest calls work, their limits and the privacy controls.
Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro have had their last security update. Check your PCs
Microsoft’s October 2026 security update was the last for Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro. How to check your version and move to 25H2 or 26H2.
Apple HomeView, the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2: Australian prices and dates
Apple’s HomeView smart display and new Apple TV 4K are A$449 each, on sale 13 November. HomePod mini 2 is A$229 from 30 October, without Siri AI at first.
AUSTRAC has started issuing fines over enrolment. Here’s who has to enrol
AUSTRAC is issuing infringement notices of up to $21,840 to businesses it believes failed to enrol under anti-money laundering law. Who is covered.
Gemini 4 Argon is out, but in the Gemini app it needs Google’s A$32.99 plan or above
Google’s new top model, Gemini 4 Argon, is rolling out to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. Free and AI Plus accounts don’t get it. What it costs here.
Acer’s convertible Googlebook is coming to Australia in November, from A$2,599
Acer says its Googlebook 14, the first Googlebook that folds into a tablet, reaches Australia in November from A$2,599. It starts at US$899 in North America.
Character.ai has filed for bankruptcy. Export your data while the app is still running
Character.ai has entered Chapter 11 in the US to sell the company. The app still works, but it will be wound down if no buyer agrees to keep it running.
Google’s Fitbit Edge is A$269 in Australia. The coaching costs extra after three months
Google’s Fitbit Edge tracker is on pre-order in Australia for A$269. Its Gemini coaching needs Google Health Premium, which renews at A$14.99 a month.
iPhone Duo pre-orders open Friday night in Australia, from A$3,499
Apple’s folding iPhone Duo goes on pre-order at 11 pm AEDT on 16 October, from A$3,499. It is eSIM-only, has no Face ID and ships without a charger.
X Premium is now part of a five-tier plan with Grok and Cursor
X Premium has been folded into The X Subscription with Grok and Cursor, from $8 a month. Existing plans continue, but switching is permanent.
How to set up a shared business inbox without sharing a password
Microsoft 365 shared mailboxes and Google Workspace shared inboxes let a team answer info@ or accounts@ from their own logins. Here is how to set each up.
ASD co-signs a ten-agency warning on hackers who break into work email
A joint advisory from ASD’s ACSC and nine partner agencies details how hackers tied to a China-based firm guess passwords and copy Microsoft 365 mail.
Google Ads will let some business names differ from the website domain
Google is easing its Ads business name rule this month, with three conditions. Third-party resellers, booking intermediaries and affiliates miss out.
How to back up Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace data
Recycle bins and admin restores in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace run out in weeks or a few months. What each keeps, and how to add a real backup.
Meta ads vs Google Ads for a local service business
How Meta and Google ads differ for an Australian local service business: targeting, budgets, GST, call and lead formats, and tracking, from each company’s own pages.
AI Overviews and your website: what changes when Google answers the question
Google lists Australia for AI Overviews and AI Mode. What Google says gets a site linked, how the clicks are counted, and the controls you have.
The internet’s master DNS key changes on 11 October. Most people won’t notice, but some office networks should check
ICANN replaces the root DNS security key on 11 October 2026. Most Australians are unaffected, but networks running their own DNS resolver should check it.
Five Google Analytics reports worth checking once a month
A monthly Google Analytics 4 routine for a small business: where visitors came from, where they landed, what they read, what they did and what they searched.
Anthropic takes its AI tests off the live internet after Claude submitted real forms and got around website controls
Anthropic says Claude sent an invented tip to a police form and worked around website restrictions during testing. What it reported and what agent users can learn.
Victorian schools data breach: regulator finds a missed patch and records kept too long
Victoria’s privacy regulator says the Department of Education broke two privacy requirements in the student data breach. What it found and what to copy.
Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress: which suits an Australian service business?
Published plan prices, what the cheapest plans leave out, and who looks after the site: Squarespace, Wix and WordPress compared for Australian service businesses.
ASOS says names and contact details may have been accessed after a rogue app alert
ASOS app users, including in Australia, got an ‘ASOS HACKED’ push alert. What ASOS says was accessed, what wasn’t, and the scam messages to watch for.
ATO credit-card cutoff moves to 30 June 2027 after small-business pushback
The government will fund the ATO to keep accepting credit cards until 30 June 2027, not 30 November. What changes for tax payments and payment plans.
Let’s Encrypt certificates drop from 90 to 64 days on 10 February 2027
Free Let’s Encrypt certificates will last 64 days, not 90, from 10 February 2027. Who needs to check their renewals, and when testing starts.
The week in digital: Copilot on your files, Gemini’s free tier and an email deadline
Copilot’s local file access, Gemini’s free-tier change, Microsoft’s EWS deadline, an Atlassian patch, the OAIC’s smart-glasses probe and the ATO card delay.
Copilot will reach into files on Copilot+ PCs, and Surface Laptop Ultra starts at A$4,399
Microsoft says Copilot will use files and take actions on Copilot+ PCs, with permission. What’s coming, what isn’t dated, and what the new Surface costs here.
Atlassian’s critical file-access flaw needs an urgent check with your IT provider
Atlassian rates CVE-2026-21589 critical. Self-managed installations need urgent attention; Cloud is patched. What to ask your IT provider.
Claude offers startups a free year of Team, with limits
Claude’s expanded startup program includes a free Team year and API credits. Australian founders should check eligibility, expiry and future charges.
OAIC probes HeyCyan and warns smart-glasses retailers
The OAIC is investigating HeyCyan’s developer. Retailers should check the app, data handling and supplier answers behind smart glasses they sell.
Google Docs will edit Markdown files without converting them
Google is rolling out native Markdown editing in Docs and previews in Drive. What small teams can try, who gets it and which formatting won’t survive.
SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained: the email settings that help your invoices reach the inbox
What SPF, DKIM and DMARC do, what Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook require, what Australia’s cyber agency recommends, and how to set them up without breaking email.
ChatGPT vs Copilot vs Gemini: what business plans include in Australia
Compare business AI features, plan types and published prices. What Australian teams should check on currencies, GST, existing subscriptions and usage charges.
Google narrows free Gemini model access from 9 October. Check which account your team uses
Google is changing Gemini model access for personal accounts. Check the timing, Australian plan prices and your team’s Workspace access before upgrading.
Microsoft 365’s October email change: check your connected apps
Microsoft’s EWS retirement reaches a new stage on 10 October. Ask your IT provider which email-connected apps need changes before they stop working.
Spam Act basics: what to check before you email or text customers
Consent, sender details and working unsubscribe links: the Australian spam rules small businesses should check in newsletters, SMS and automated messages.
Citrix releases NetScaler SAML fix after targeted attacks
Citrix has released fixes for CVE-2026-88779. Affected NetScaler systems need another upgrade even if earlier patches were installed.
Square’s Australian Instant Transfer fee has risen to 1.95%
Square’s Australian Instant Transfer fee rose from 1.5% to 1.95% on 1 October 2026. What it costs, and how free next-day transfers compare.
New NetScaler SAML issue affects Australian organisations: ask your IT provider to check
Updated 4 October: Citrix has released a fix for the NetScaler SAML issue. Ask your IT provider to reassess affected systems and arrange the upgrade.
Shopify adds discounts to Rollouts, with a few traps for sale planning
Shopify lets retailers schedule and test discounts with store changes. Check plan access, active dates, app support and measurement limits before a sale.
Shopify’s new Canvas editor is worth trying on a copy of your store
Shopify’s new AI-assisted store editor is rolling out. Check theme compatibility, app support and update limits before changing a working shop.
The week in digital: new shop-floor tools, AI assistants and an email warning
Shopify’s shop-floor updates, OpenAI dots, Googlebook’s business catch, a Zimbra patch warning and the privacy-policy deadline for Australian small businesses.
Google Ads for tradies: set a budget and count the jobs it brings in
Set a Google Ads budget, check what counts as a conversion and connect enquiries with booked jobs. A practical guide with clearly labelled dollar examples.
ACMA proposes more payment choice and mobile coverage remedies for small businesses
ACMA proposes two fee-free payment methods and mobile coverage remedies for qualifying small businesses. Submissions close on 10 November 2026.
Armaguard cash-service pricing: retailers can respond by 16 October
The ACCC wants small retailers’ views on proposed Armaguard cash-service prices and coverage. Submissions close 16 October 2026, at 1 pm Perth.
ATO credit-card payments end after 30 November: check your payment plan
The ATO will stop accepting credit cards after 30 November 2026. Check tax payments and change any credit-card-linked payment plan before its next instalment.
OpenAI dots launch in Australia, with a first dot included
OpenAI includes a first dot for Pro and Business Premium subscribers. Australian small businesses should check app access, work limits and one narrow task.
Samsung’s Tab S12 tablets reach Australia on 22 October. Budget for the whole work kit
Samsung’s Tab S12+ starts at A$1,999 and Ultra at A$2,299. Check keyboard costs, work apps and trial renewals before buying for your business.
Zimbra email attacks make a July patch an urgent provider question
Microsoft reports attacks on unpatched Zimbra email servers. Ask your provider about version 10.1.20, SNMP settings and checks for an existing compromise.
How to protect your Google Business Profile from hijacking and suspension
Who should own your Google listing, how to lock it down, the rules that trigger suspensions, Google’s new rule on contact details in posts, and how to appeal.
How to write an AI use policy for a small team, with a template
What the government’s AI policy guide says a policy should cover, how to write a one-page version for your team in an afternoon, and a template to adapt.
Landing page builders compared: Leadpages, Unbounce and the alternatives for small business ads
Leadpages, Unbounce, Instapage, Swipe Pages, Carrd, Framer and Webflow compared on price, traffic limits and A/B testing, for Australian businesses running Google and Meta ads.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic vs Standard vs Premium: which plan does a small business need?
Australian prices and inclusions for Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard and Premium, compared from Microsoft’s own pages, and how to choose the right plan.
A stolen AI login can run up the bill and reach the rest of your business
ASD warns that stolen AI credentials can drain credits and expose connected systems. Check access owners, API-key permissions and enforced spending limits.
New Microsoft 365 Copilot Business reseller orders will default to pay-as-you-go
New Microsoft 365 Copilot Business CSP purchases get usage-based billing from 2 November 2026. What Australian buyers should check on costs and limits.
OAIC’s new privacy guidance puts human-reviewed AI decisions in view
New OAIC guidance explains when software-assisted decisions belong in a privacy policy. Covered businesses should check their systems before 10 December.
Passkeys explained for small business: what they replace, where they work and where they don’t
What a passkey is, how it differs from passwords and 2FA, what Google, Microsoft and Apple support, where passkeys help, their limits, and what to do first.
Shopify puts stock counts and local delivery inside POS Pro
Shopify’s latest POS Pro updates bring reviewed stock counts and local delivery to the shop floor. Check version 11.16, permissions and Australian pricing.
Windows 11 26H2 is here. Test the office PCs before updating the lot
Microsoft’s Windows 11 26H2 rollout has begun. Check eligibility, safeguard holds and business-critical apps before updating every office PC.
Who controls your website and domain? How to get logins back from a former web designer
How to check who holds your .au domain, find your registrar, get the transfer code and contact details fixed, and what to do if a web designer won’t hand over.
Apple fixes a flaw used in targeted attacks: update iPhones and Macs still on older software
Apple has patched a flaw it says may have been exploited in targeted attacks. Which iPhones, iPads and Macs need iOS 26.7.1 or a macOS update, and how to check.
Fake one-star reviews, then a demand for money: how to handle a review extortion scam
A burst of fake one-star reviews followed by an offer to remove them for a fee. How the scam works, what Google says to do, and where to get help.
Googlebooks go on sale in Australia on 5 October from $2,299, but Google says they aren’t ready for business fleets yet
Googlebook laptops from ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo arrive on 5 October from $2,299. Google says business management tools start in the second half of 2027.
Sale end dates and countdown timers: the ACCC’s Black Friday warning after two retailers pay $59,400
James Lane and Vuly paid $59,400 over sales the ACCC alleges ran past their advertised end. What it expects from sale deadlines before Black Friday.
The Essential Eight for small businesses, in plain English
What ASD’s eight cyber security strategies mean for a 10-person office, which maturity level to aim for, and a practical first step for each one.
How much does website hosting cost in Australia?
Published hosting prices from Australian and global providers, the gap between intro and renewal rates, and the extras that add to a small business’s bill.
How to check a supplier invoice before you pay it
Warning signs of payment redirection scams, a five-step check before paying, a bank-details policy to copy, and what to do straight away if you’ve paid.
Card surcharges: what you can and can’t charge customers from 1 October
Which cards the surcharge ban covers, who enforces it, and what happens to service fees, weekend surcharges, cash discounts, invoices and terminals.
Cloudflare’s new AI crawler settings: how to refuse AI training without dropping out of Google
Cloudflare changed its AI crawler controls on 15 September. Its ‘Block’ setting now also stops Googlebot and Bingbot. What to check on your site.
Strikethrough prices: digiDirect’s $99,000 penalty and the ‘was’ price test for online stores
digiDirect paid $99,000 over strikethrough prices it almost never sold at. What the ACCC expects from ‘was’ prices before the Black Friday sales.
How to set up two-factor authentication across your business accounts
A step-by-step guide to turning on two-factor authentication in Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Xero, MYOB and Meta, and what to do when a phone is lost.
.au domain names: renewals, transfers and the direct .au, explained
Who can hold a .com.au, how renewals and the 30-day grace period work, how to move registrars or sell a name, and whether you need the direct .au.
auDA’s plan to tighten .com.au rules: what it means for your domain, and why a petition is fighting it
auDA has backed, in principle, removing the rule that lets a .com.au match what you sell. Nothing is final. What’s proposed, what the petition claims, and what to check.
Can you put client information into ChatGPT? What the privacy rules say
What the privacy regulator says about entering customer and patient details into AI tools, which businesses the rules cover, and what to check first.
Website accessibility: what the Disability Discrimination Act means for your site
How the Disability Discrimination Act applies to business websites, what WCAG 2.2 asks for, what happens if someone complains, and the checks to run first.
Adobe’s Photoshop, Express and Firefly tools now work inside Gemini, but only on personal Google accounts
Adobe’s Photoshop, Lightroom, Express and Firefly tools now run inside Gemini. What it can do for your posts and product photos, and who can’t use it yet.
Google Meet’s AI note-taker switches on by default for Business Standard and Plus from 29 September
Workspace Business Standard and Plus turn on Gemini note-taking by default for scheduled Meet calls with three or more people. What changes and what to check.
Notifiable data breaches: when a small business has to report one
Which small businesses the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme covers, what makes a breach reportable, the 30-day assessment, and who you have to tell.
Does your website need a privacy policy, and what goes in it?
Which small businesses must have a privacy policy under the Privacy Act, what it must cover, where to publish it, and the penalties for getting it wrong.
How to get more Google reviews without breaking the rules
What the ACCC and Google each ban when you ask for reviews, what Google allows, and a simple asking routine for Australian service businesses.
How to move your website to a new host without losing Google rankings
Google’s site-move advice in plain English: hosting-only moves, URL changes, 301 redirects and Change of Address, plus how to keep email running.
Square vs Stripe: what card payments cost a small business now
Published Australian card fees, hardware, monthly costs and payouts for Square and Stripe, what changes on 1 October, and what we couldn’t check for Tyro.
Your business email has been hacked: what to do in the first hour
Business email hacked? The first-hour steps for Australian small businesses: lock the attacker out, check rules, warn your bank and customers, report.
ACSC high alert: AI agents acted without authorisation, and one probed a website for vulnerabilities
ASD’s ACSC says AI agents have acted without authorisation, in one case finding vulnerabilities to get past website security. What it means for small business.
ATO warns of fake emails that install remote-access software
Fake ATO emails about a ‘payment update’ lead to a download that can give scammers access to your device. How to spot them, and what to do if you clicked.
Card surcharges end on 1 October. Here’s what businesses need to do this week
From Thursday, eftpos, Mastercard and Visa rules stop businesses adding card surcharges, online and in store. What’s covered, what isn’t and what to do this week.
Google Analytics now lets you allowlist your own domains, but test before you switch it on
GA4 can now discard web events from hostnames not on your approved list. It helps with spam, but a missed domain means data lost for good. Test it first.
Google is moving Search campaigns to AI Max this month. Here’s what to check
Google is upgrading Search campaigns that use campaign-level broad match or automatically created assets to AI Max this month. What changes and what to check.
Google starts a spam update that may take two weeks, and adds visual search data to Search Console
Google’s September 2026 spam update may take up to two weeks. What small businesses should check in Search Console, plus new visual search data.
Payday Super, three months in: the deadlines employers are measured against
Super must now reach the fund within seven business days of payday. The rules, the ATO’s first-year compliance approach and the 28 October date to watch.
Privacy Act changes: what applies to small businesses now, what starts in December, and what’s proposed
Most small businesses are still exempt, but not all, and some laws apply to everyone. What’s in force, what starts 10 December and what the draft bill proposes.
Texting customers under your business name? Unregistered sender IDs now show as ‘Unverified’
Since 1 July, branded texts from sender IDs not on the ACMA register show as ‘Unverified’. Who needs to register, how it works and what it costs.
The week in digital: card surcharges end, Google’s AI Max switch and a new ATO scam
Our weekly briefing for Australian small businesses: what changed this week, why it matters and the dates to put in the diary before the end of the year.
Before you rebuild your website, find out what’s actually broken
A quiet inbox doesn’t always mean the website has failed. Four checks separate a visibility, clarity, usability or follow-up problem before you pay to rebuild.
Better AI results start with a better brief
When an AI draft misses the mark, the brief is often the problem. A five-part structure (purpose, context, output, boundaries, review) and a free template.
Does your landing page keep the promise your ad makes?
An ad starts a conversation and the landing page has to continue it. A message-match checklist that runs from the search someone makes to the enquiry they send.
How to write a website brief in six questions
A one-page website brief gives a designer enough to recommend an approach and quote, without a 20-page specification. Six questions and a free template.
Now, next, later: a one-page plan for a busy business
When every digital project feels urgent, a now, next, later plan sets the order without pretending to predict the year ahead. A one-page method and worksheet.
Should your business buy the new Mac mini? The M6 and M5 Pro compared
Apple’s new Mac mini starts at A$1,449 with the M6 chip. What changed, which configuration suits a small business, and what the first reviews found.
Start small with AI: choose a task you can check
A first AI experiment in a small business should be narrow, repeatable and easy to review. How to pick the task, test it safely and decide who owns it.
The five-question weekly marketing review
A weekly marketing review should end in a decision, not a wall of dashboards. Five questions that link activity to real enquiries, plus a free template.
Where good enquiries get lost, and how to stop it
Lost enquiries often come down to an unclear handover, not a lack of effort. Trace one enquiry from first message to next step, then close the gaps.
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