The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has contacted thousands of Kiwis, including many on the Hibiscus Coast, to warn them their devices may be infected with malicious software.

This is the first time the agency has undertaken such a large public outreach effort.

Around 26,000 email addresses received the legitimate notice.

The issue relates to malware called Lumma Stealer, which typically impacts devices running Microsoft Windows.

This nasty software is designed to steal sensitive information like email addresses and passwords, often leading to fraud or identity theft.

NCSC's Chief Operating Officer, Michael Jagusch, confirmed they were alerted via cyber security partnerships and worked with government and financial institutions to notify affected users.

If you got an email from the NCSC, it means your device's passwords and login details for online accounts may have been stolen.

You might notice unusual account activity or unauthorised transactions. Your antivirus may have already flagged it.

If you're affected, the NCSC wants you to take immediate steps to secure your device and accounts.

You can contact an IT provider for support, or run a scan yourself using Windows Defender.

For the most effective solution, you could factory reset your device, but remember to back up your data first!

After cleaning your device, it's crucial to immediately update your operating system, change all your passwords, and reset two-factor authentication on key accounts like banking, email, and social media.

This type of malware is a growing international issue, so we should all review our device security.

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