There have been 56,392 phishing attacks targeting banks in Vietnam, averaging nearly 9,400 incidents per month or over 313 incidents per day.
Data from the security firm Kaspersky reveals that in the first half of 2022, more than 1.6 million financial-related attacks were detected and blocked in Southeast Asia. Among these, the number of phishing attacks related to payment systems was 840,254, followed by e-commerce platforms with 621,640 incidents, and online banking with 142,354 incidents.
Phishing attacks related to payment systems were recorded at a high rate across all countries in the region, with the exceptions of Thailand and Indonesia, where phishing efforts were heavily concentrated on e-commerce.
In Vietnam alone, during the same period, Kaspersky detected and prevented 56,392 phishing attacks targeting banks, translating to nearly 9,400 incidents per month or more than 313 incidents per day. The figures recorded in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore were 27,458; 20,603; 13,899; 13,200; and 10,802 incidents, respectively.
The aforementioned figures are based on anonymized data from the Kaspersky Anti-Phishing system on users' computers. This system is triggered when a user attempts to open content by clicking on a link in an email or while browsing the web, provided that the link is flagged in Kaspersky's database.
5 recommendations from Kaspersky to minimize the risk of financial cyberattacks:
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Always be cautious with suspicious emails: If you receive an email offering financial benefits that seem too good to be true, make sure to thoroughly verify the information through all possible reference sources.
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Use multiple email addresses for free accounts: Dedicate one primary email for work, and use other email addresses for registering on websites or logging in to read the news.
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Be wary of mobile security: Not all smartphones are fully secure, so be highly careful with messages containing website links. Numerous types of malware can infiltrate a user's contact list as well as their mobile applications.
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Utilize reliable security solutions: Use software that integrates anti-phishing capabilities to ensure the safety of your payment transactions.
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Equip yourself with knowledge: Above all, the best defense against phishing attacks is being well-informed and able to identify the nature of the emails and messages you receive. Caution is essential, especially now that most financial transactions are conducted in an online environment.
According to Mr. Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Kaspersky Southeast Asia, in the first half of 2022, Southeast Asian countries began reopening their borders and returning to a "new normal." However, many habits formed during the COVID-19 pandemic have persisted. Even as people freely travel, work, and somewhat return to their old routines, they continue to rely on online banking, shopping, and digital financial activities due to the sheer convenience they offer.
He noted that regulatory agencies and businesses across the region are supporting Southeast Asia's transition into the digital era. In fact, countries are preparing to link their payment systems via QR codes before the end of this year to eliminate complexities in currency transactions. While this development is highly welcomed for its significant economic benefits to the public, it simultaneously creates new opportunities for cybercriminals.
"Now that most Southeast Asian users are aware of the threats targeting their finances, I believe it is time to take joint action and implement measures to secure our mobile devices. This way, we can safely and peacefully enjoy the connected financial environment within the region," Mr. Yeo recommended.
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