According to Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) year-on-year report, cyberthreats including local infections and malware hosting detected in Malaysia have significantly dropped between 2017 and 2018. However, web threats or malware online remains higher in terms of number of detections last year.
Web Threats
| No of Detections | Users Attacked | Rank | |||
| 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 |
| 16,740,303 | 42,052,261 | 33.2% | 37.7% | 25th | 25th |
Source: KSN
Web Threats or online threats ~ malware programs that can target users when using the internet. A browser based threats include a range of malicious software programs designed to infect victims’ computers.
Local Threats
| No of Detections | Users Attacked | Rank | |||
| 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 |
| 82,026,205 | 67,739,963 | 605% | 56.5% | 74th | 86th |
Source: KSN
Local Threats ~ local infection, threats that have penetrated computer systems by infecting files or removable media or initially got on the computer in an encrypted format.
Malware Hosting
| No of Incidents | Share of Incidents Hosted | Rank | |||
| 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 |
| 480,090 | 1,640,611 | 0.03% | 0.05% | 37th | 39th |
Source: KSN
Malware Hosting ~ malware hosted on the hardware or websites in Malaysia.
KSN is a complex distributed infrastructure dedicated to intelligent processing cybersecurity related data streams from millions of voluntary participants around the world. By analyzing these data streams automatically in the cloud, the system ensures the fastest reaction times to new and yet unknown cyberthreat and the maintenance of the highest levels of protection for every partner and customers of Kasperksy Lab.
KSN also employs Kaspersky lab’s HuMachine principle ~ both Kaspersky Lab expert knowledge and next-generation machine learning capabilities are merged, allowing Kaspersky Lab to spot patterns, changes and new threats in the cyber landscape with accuracy and skill.
“Internet can be described as a double-edged sword. It is an integral part of people’s lives but is also a source of growing risks. For Malaysia, we detected 42 million web threats, 67 million local threats, and 1.6million malware hosting last year. While there is a decline in detected local threats and malicious hosting, infections online are still on the rise. As we become more dependent with the perks of World Wide Web, may we become more aware with its harms and dangers as well,” says Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager of Southeast Asia of Kaspersky Lab.
KSN’s working mechanism includes several key processes such as the continuous, geographically distributed monitoring of real-life threats on users’ devices, analysis of the data received in order to determine new threats, and the delivery of relevant intelligence and countermeasures to protected customers.
The information about infection attempts is analyzed using the company’s powerful in-house expertise and technological resources, both automated and human. It is at the heart of Kaspersky Lab’s in depth analysis and timely studies on the latest dangers and threats online.
“Our expert has since warned the public on a large-scale SIM swap fraud[1], where the fraud centers around exploiting a mobile phone operator’s ability to seamlessly port a telephone number to a new SIM – a standard practice normally used when a customer has lost or had the phone stolen. Attacks like these are now widespread, with cybercriminals using them not only to steal credentials and capture one-time password (OTP) sent via SMS, but also to cause financial damages to victims,” Yeo added.
In order to be secured against the evolving threats online, Kaspersky Lab security experts advise the following basic but important steps:
- Carefully check the link before visiting a site, especially for misspelling or other irregularities, even if you think it’s a site you’ve visited regularly before.
- Enter your username and password only over a secure connection. Avoid logging in to online banks and similar services via public Wi-Fi networks.
- Be aware that URLs that begin with the “https” may not always be secure.
- Don’t trust emails from unknown senders until you can verify the authenticity their origins.
- Always run a system with a quality, up-to-date anti-malware program such as Kaspersky Internet Security. Our advanced solution will help you solve most of problems automatically and alert you if something went wrong.