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Australians are making themselves vulnerable to hackers even as governments and firms harden defences.

One in three Australians has had passwords hacked or compromised and one in four has fallen for a phishing attack designed to steal banking or credit card details, according to research released by Google Australia on Thursday.

The latest scam has enticed almost 10,000 Australians to click on a text message link about a parcel that's supposedly due to arrive.

Instead, the link unleashes malware on both Android and iPhones that can steal bank and credit card information.

Few people are taking deliberate steps to protect themselves online, Google Australia spokeswoman Samantha Yorke says.

"There's been a huge focus on businesses falling victim to cyber attacks, but this data shows how frequently individuals have been caught in scams," she said.

The research found almost one in five of those who have an identical password across all of their accounts also admits to sharing that password in a text or email to someone else.

Two in five have written their passwords down somewhere, and one third say they have written it down somewhere safe.

"Password manager tools are one of the easiest ways to protect yourself, which the research shows one in four Australians are using," Ms Yorke said.

When shopping online, almost half do not look for the "secure" padlock icon next to a website address.

Nearly one third don't know that the symbol means there is a secure, encrypted connection for the transaction.

The YouGov researchers surveyed more than 1500 Australian adults last month.

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Image: By Jasni / Shutterstock.com

A Lockdown will be lifted in regional Victoria, with the exception of the town of Shepparton which is still battling a coronavirus outbreak.

The state has recorded 221 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, but most are in Melbourne.

"Regional Victorians have done an amazing job, that is why these steps are possible," Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Wednesday.

From Friday morning the five reasons to leave home will be removed from regional Victoria, offices can reopen at 25 per cent capacity or 10 people, and businesses and venues can reopen.

Schools can also reopen for prep to year two and year 12 students.

In Melbourne, which will stay in lockdown, will see a jump in police enforcement of the metropolitan-regional border.

"If you don't have good lawful reason to go to regional Victoria, then please don't go to regional Victoria," Mr Andrews said.

It comes as police also investigate an illegal gathering in Melbourne's southeast.

So far six people have been fined $5452 each, or more than $32,000 collectively, after up to 30 people gathered to mark the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah in breach of lockdown restrictions.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said there will be more fines issued "today or in coming days", as he urged those who attended the gathering to come forward.

"My advice is really clear to the people who were there last night - come forward, identify yourselves and allow us to process you through our systems and apply the law as it is today," he said.

Members of the Orthodox Jewish congregation entered a building, believed to be a prayer room, near a Ripponlea synagogue early on Tuesday morning and told police they wouldn't leave until nightfall.

Police surrounded the front and back entrances of the building and took details of those who began to file out just after 8pm.

Initial reports suggested up to 100 people had attended.

Mr Barrett said that number is still being investigated, but he's been advised it was "between 20 and 30" people.

Several worshippers became aggressive and an overnight news cameraman is being treated for a concussion at The Alfred after being assaulted.

Mr Barrett said the assault has been reported to police and will be investigated.

Police will remain in the area for the remainder of the Jewish new year, which ends after sundown on Wednesday.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria said the actions of a few "do not represent the vast majority of our community" who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah at home with only the people they lived with.

"The JCCV expresses its strong disappointment in and condemns the actions of a small group of people who appear to have not followed COVID restrictions," a spokesman said.

He said local organisations "have gone to great lengths" to encourage the community to stay within the rules.

The health department on Wednesday confirmed 98 cases were linked to known outbreaks, with the source of the remaining 123 infections under investigation,

It brings the total number of active cases in the state to 1920.

© AAP 2021

Photo: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (AAP Image/Luis Ascui)

A three-year-old boy who went missing from his family's NSW Hunter property on Friday has been located after four days of intensive searching, police have said.

Police said on Monday afternoon the boy had been located but was yet to be assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Anthony "AJ" Elfalak, who has autism and is non-verbal, went missing from his family's rural property at Putty about 11.45am on Friday.

His family said they believed he had been abducted, rather than wandered off.

Anthony and Kelly Elfalak and their four sons moved to the property just months ago as Mr Elfalak's work as a plumber had dried up amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

Family friend Alan Hashem was at the property when the boy went missing and says he saw an old white van driving away from the location.

He said the family believed the boy has been abducted.

"Without a doubt. Without a doubt," he told the Nine Network on Monday.

"For the simple reason he is on the spectrum of autism but he is always quite afraid and attached to his mum hence why his mum couldn't have him by her side when she's cooking, he is with his brothers.

"He's never wandered," he said.

NSW Police Superintendent Tracy Chapman said over the weekend more than 130 people were involved in the search of the property and volunteers are helping police on foot and on dirt bikes.

Divers also searched and drained a large dam on the property.

© AAP 2021

BREAKING NEWS: Missing three-year-old boy Anthony ‘AJ’ Elfalak has been located a short time ago. He is yet to be assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics. More info to come.

— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) September 6, 2021