Nz fights anonymous

While Anonymous work to hack and destroy websites around the world, an Otaki software company are at the forefront in fighting back against the group.

Aura Information Security, formed in 2007 at the Otaki Gorge, works with businesses in New Zealand and abroad to keep their software secure.

With its star rising in the Information Technology sector, Aura has risen to 269th on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific list, having debuted on the list at 285 last year.

Part-owner Diane Prow said the business has had plenty of work to do in the past two years, helping businesses in New Zealand fight off cyber attacks from international website hacking group Anonymous.

"A lot of our work has actually been around fighting off Anonymous for businesses in New Zealand that have had troubles with them," Ms Prow said.

"In New Zealand we seem to think we are a bit isolated, so they can't attack little old New Zealand but in fact we are one of the most targeted countries in the world."

Aura has helped rebuild and protect Metservice and Solid Energy websites in the past year after attacks from Anonymous, and Ms Prow said there are several Government agencies the company has also helped.

"Basically our job is, we get paid to hack into and break into these company's websites and then make them safe from hacking.

"It's not only that. We also do the PCI, which is personal credit information to protect customers' credit details.

"We're the only ones in New Zealand able to do that."

Being the people businesses turn to once they have been hacked, Ms Prow said Anonymous also try to hack Aura to shut it down.

"Obviously we are a target because of what we do, so we have to be careful with how secure we are."

Australian businesses have started using Aura's services to protect their online property and Ms Prow said Kiwis need to follow in their footsteps.

"They are much more aware of the threat people can have online, and in New Zealand we do need to change our attitudes a bit.

"Just because we are on this little island on the other side of the world doesn't mean you can't be affected."

Aura's work is now being recognised outside of Australasia, with the business expanding to Canada and the United States in the next 18 months.

The company is looking at opening an office in Vancouver and taking on more clients in North America.

Ms Prow said Aura already has multi-billion dollar companies on its books working out of Australia and Auckland and hopes to work for more in the future.