Received

A federal police investigation has been launched into the data breach of personal information of millions of Optus customers.

Operation Hurricane has been established by the AFP to identify the people behind the breach, as well as prevent identity fraud of those affected.

The agency said in a statement it was aware of reports of the sale of stolen data from the breach, which has affected up to 9.8 million Australians.

Assistant Commissioner of Cyber Command Justine Gough said the investigation into the source of the data breach would be complex.

"We are aware of reports of stolen data being sold on the dark web and that is why the AFP is monitoring the dark web using a range of specialist capabilities," she said.

"Criminals, who use pseudonyms and anonymising technology, can't see us but I can tell you that we can see them."

The task force will work with the Australian Signals Directorate, overseas police as well as Optus.

Ms Gough said customers should be more vigilant in monitoring unsolicited texts, emails and phone calls in the wake of the Optus breach.

"The AFP will be working hard to explain to the community and businesses how to harden their online security because ultimately it is our job to help protect Australians and our way of life," she said.

Slater and Gordon Lawyers are investigating whether to launch a class action lawsuit against Optus on behalf of former and current customers.

Class actions senior associate Ben Zocco said the leaked information posed a risk to vulnerable people, including domestic violence survivors and victims of stalking.

Consequences may be less severe for other customers but the information could easily lead to identity theft, he added.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil launched a scathing attack on Optus in parliament.

Ms O'Neil said responsibility laid squarely at the feet of the telco giant and that the government was looking at ways to mitigate the fallout.

"The breach is of a nature that we should not expect to see in a large telecommunications provider in this country," Ms O'Neil said on Monday.

"We expect Optus to continue to do everything they can to support their customers and former customers."

The minister called on the telco to provide free credit monitoring to former and present customers who had their data stolen in the breach.

Optus has announced it will be providing the most affected current and former customers with a free 12-month credit monitoring subscription to Equifax Protect.

Ms O'Neil said the government was looking to work with financial regulators and the banking sector to see what steps could be taken to protect affected customers.

"One significant question is whether the cyber security requirements we place on large telecommunications providers in this country are fit for purpose," she said.

"In other jurisdictions, a data breach of this size will result in fines amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Optus data breach was a "huge wake-up call".

As the government prepares to introduce new cybersecurity measures, Mr Albanese said the new protections would mean banks and other institutions would be informed much faster when a breach happened so personal data could not be used.

Optus said it had sent emails or text messages to all customers who had identification documents compromised in the cyber attack.

Payment details and account passwords have not been compromised.

© AAP 2022

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has launched a scathing attack on Optus in the wake of the data breach of millions of customers.

Ms O'Neil said responsibility laid squarely at the feet of the telco giant and that the government was looking at ways to mitigate the fallout.

Optus revealed on Thursday it had been the target of a cyber attack that exposed the personal information of up to 9.8 million Australians, including details such as driver's licence and passport numbers.

"The breach is of a nature that we should not expect to see in a large telecommunications provider in this country," Ms O'Neil told parliament on Monday.

"We expect Optus to continue to do everything they can to support their customers and former customers."

The minister called on the telco to provide free credit monitoring to former and present customers who had their data stolen in the breach.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Optus announced it will be providing the most affected current and former customers with a free 12-month credit monitoring subscription to Equifax Protect.

Customers will receive detailed information about the offer in coming days.

Ms O'Neil said the government was looking to work with financial regulators and the banking sector to see what steps could be taken to protect affected customers.

"One significant question is whether the cyber security requirements we place on large telecommunications providers in this country are fit for purpose," she said.

"In other jurisdictions, a data breach of this size will result in fines amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Optus data breach was a "huge wake-up call".

As the government prepares to introduce new cybersecurity measures, Mr Albanese said the new protections would mean banks and other institutions would be informed much faster when a breach happened so personal data could not be used.

"We know in today's world there are actors - some state actors but also some criminal organisations - who want to get access to people's data," he told Brisbane radio station 4BC.

Optus said it had sent emails or text messages to all customers who had identification documents compromised in the cyber attack.

Payment details and account passwords have not been compromised.

It comes as opposition home affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews introduced a bill to parliament to crack down on cyber criminals.

The bill includes a new standalone offence for cyber extortion and introduces tougher penalties for those preying on vulnerable Australians online.

Ms Andrews said businesses need guidance on national security matters, slamming the home affairs minister for not having "done the work" to ensure adequate protections are in place.

"There is no reason Labor can't support the ransomware private member's bill I introduced into the house this morning and actually keep Australians safe," she said.

"Delaying implementation by playing political games and finger pointing is not in the best interest of our nation."

Cybercriminals who use ransomware would face 10 years in prison while those targeting the country's critical infrastructure would face a maximum 25 years.

© AAP 2022

Former elite professional surfer Chris Davidson is being mourned by the surfing community after being punched and dying outside a pub on the NSW mid north coast.

Police say they were called to Sportsmans Way at South West Rocks just after 11pm on Saturday following reports a man had been punched in the face, fallen and hit his head on the pavement.

Officers found 45-year-old Davidson unconscious on the ground. He was treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics before being taken to Kempsey Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Grant Alec Coleman, 42, was arrested at a nearby home early on Sunday, charged with assault causing death and held in custody since then.

Surfing Australia says the sport's community is mourning the loss of the man affectionately known as "Davo".

"Davo was an incredibly talented surfer and a true individual in our sport and community," the organisation said on Facebook.

"Our thoughts go out to his two children, friends and family at this time."

Eleven-time World Surf League champion Kelly Slater, who Davidson beat in two consecutive heats at Bells Beach as a 19-year-old wildcard entrant in 1996, called him one of the most naturally talented surfers he ever knew.

"Lost another soldier yesterday. #RipChrisDavo. Had many a good battle with this guy," Slater said on Instagram.

Davidson, who grew up surfing at North Narrabeen on Sydney's northern beaches, competed on the World Surf League championship tour in 2010 and 2011.

His best result was a tie for third at the 2010 Portugal event, when he was narrowly defeated by Slater, who won the event.

"I felt like I surfed pretty well against Kelly, but when he goes and pulls a 360 Alley-Oop on a nothing wave, it's hard to fight back," Davidson told surfing magazine Tracks at the time.

Friend Nathan Hedge told Nine's Today show Davidson's death was tragic.

"This is the worst thing ever ... not only Chris's life being taken from us, the other person's life is shattered and ruined as well," he said on Monday.

Davidson was a unique character, kind-hearted, charismatic and the life of the party, Mr Hedge said.

"He just wanted to make sure you had a good time as well," he said.

When Coleman appeared by video link in Kempsey Local Court on Monday, he faced an additional charge of intentionally choking a person without consent.

Coleman made no application for bail and it was formally refused by magistrate Scott Nash who ordered a brief to be served by November 21.

The case is due to return to the same court on November 23.

© AAP 2022