Why Cybersecurity Matters and Why LatinOz QLD Created the Guanaco Program

Guanaco Cybersecurity
Jul 27
3 min read

Updated: Aug 12

Every 6 minutes, a cybercrime is reported in Australia. From phishing scams to identity theft, the threats are real and growing. Whether we realise it or not, our everyday use of smartphones, tablets, and computers makes us potential targets. And contrary to what many believe, being a migrant, a senior, or “not very tech-savvy” doesn’t make you invisible, it makes you more vulnerable.

Digital risks are part of modern life

Today, many of us conduct various activities online, including shopping, banking, chatting, working, managing school forms, accessing government portals, and even healthcare. But as we move more of our personal and financial data online, we need to protect it with the same care we give to locking our homes.

The most common security mistakes we see every day include:

Reusing weak passwords across accounts
Forgetting to update phones, tablets, computers and apps
Clicking on suspicious links or fake ads
Sharing too much information on social media and online
Not recognising red flags of scams or identity theft

Just because we’re using our devices normally doesn’t mean us safe and experts. Cybercriminals count on our distractions. That one email we opened while rushing. That app we delayed updating. That personal detail we shared without thinking.

Why LatinOz QLD created Guanaco

At LatinOz QLD, we recognised a gap: Spanish-speaking families in Australia were not being reached by most cybersecurity campaigns. The content was in English, filled with technical terms, and often didn’t reflect real-life experiences of migrant communities.

So we createdy "Guanaco Cybersecurity", a free cybersecurity awareness program delivered in Spanish.

Our goal is simple: To give Spanish-speaking migrants the tools and confidence to protect themselves and their families online without fear, without shame, and without language barriers.

In our sessions, we cover:

How cyber scams work in Australia
What to do when your identity is stolen
The importance of software updates for safety
Tips for creating strong, secure passwords
How to protect your children’s privacy online
Where to report fraud or suspicious activity

We explain all this in clear, everyday language, using real stories and examples that matter to our community.

Upcoming Events

LatinOz QLD invites you to join two free events in Spanish this August, part of our Guanaco Cybersecurity Program, designed to help our community protect their personal information and avoid online scams.

Event: Act Now, Stay Safe – Protect Your Information Online

📍 In person – Gold Coast🗓 Thursday, August 7🕕 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM AEST📌 Location: Multicultural Families Organisation79B Scarborough Street, Southport QLD 4215🎟 Limited spots – Book now👉 Event link

What you’ll learn:

How to recognise scams (fake job offers, rental scams, ATO/bank messages)
How to protect your data and avoid phishing
Tips for creating strong passwords and using two-factor authentication
How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi and social media
What to do if you fall victim to a cybercrime

Event: Identity Theft – What It Is and How to Protect Yourself

💻 Online – Via Zoom🗓 Wednesday, August 27🕕 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM AEST📌 Location: Online

What we’ll cover:

What is identity theft and how it happens in Australia
How scammers steal and misuse your personal information
What to do if your identity is compromised
Best practices to secure your digital life

This is a free online session in Spanish open to all whether you’re a parent, student, worker, or senior, this knowledge matters.

About the Guanaco Program

Guanaco is a digital safety program created by LatinOz QLD, designed to empower the Spanish-speaking community in Australia. Through free workshops in Spanish, we help families, seniors, and small business owners learn how to stay safe online and protect their personal data.

Topics include fraud awareness, phishing prevention, safe password practices, device updates, public Wi-Fi risks, and more.

🌐 Learn more: Guanaco Ciberseguridad