As Malaysia’s digital landscape thrives, it has not been immune to the global wave of cyber threats that recognize no boundaries. Recent data released by Kaspersky, a leader in the field of cybersecurity and digital privacy, sheds light on the state of web threats in Malaysia, revealing a complex and evolving battleground against cybercriminals.
Kaspersky’s global detection systems have been working overtime, uncovering an average of 411,000 malicious files each day, marking a near 3% increase in 2023. This surge has resulted in the discovery of almost 125 million malicious files globally in the past year, with cybercriminals predominantly targeting Windows systems.
In the context of Malaysia, the statistics are equally telling but show a nuanced picture. Kaspersky’s efforts have led to the blocking of over 26 million online threats targeting Malaysian users in the last year, representing a significant 28% decrease from the 37 million threats detected in 2022. Despite this decline, Malaysia ranks second in Southeast Asia for web threat prevalence, trailing only behind the Philippines.
These web threats primarily spread through malicious software designed to exploit vulnerabilities in web browsers and plugins or through social engineering tactics that trick users into downloading harmful files. This highlights the sophistication and variety of strategies employed by cybercriminals to breach digital defenses.
The reduction in web threats, however, is no cause for relaxation. The Royal Malaysia Police reported 494 cases of impersonation scams in 2023, leading to losses totaling RM2.5 million. This stark figure underscores the significant impact that even a single cyberattack can have on individuals and businesses, emphasizing the ongoing risk within the digital domain.
Yeo Siang Tiong, the General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky, warns against complacency. He notes the rising tide of AI-powered scams, increasing vulnerabilities, and the lowering barriers for entry into cybercrime. Phishing, data breaches, and cyberespionage are expected to remain critical threats. In response, Yeo advocates for a robust security posture that extends beyond traditional antivirus solutions, urging both consumers and companies to adopt comprehensive, intelligence-led security solutions and services to navigate and mitigate the complexities of the cyber threat landscape.