By contrast, the new approach is instantaneous and practically free in terms of infrastructure - because the information the system uses comes from mobile phone and sat-nav device users directly.
Reports that surfaced last week suggested that a gang of hackers based in Eastern Europe was behind at least some of the attacks, using a website frequented by developers who use Apple's mobile operating system to worm their way into companies where they hoped to steal valuable information.
Researchers at the School of Computer and Information Science at the University of South Australia are currently conducting research into a mobile outdoor AR system.