The high adoption of technology in the country during the pandemic has even become an opportunity for cybercriminals to carry out their actions. During the first quarter of 2022 alone, nearly 12 million online threats targeted users in Indonesia.
This is based on Kaspersky's latest telemetry report. In more detail, during the period from January to March 2022, this security company detected and blocked as many as 11,802,558 different cyber threats that were transmitted through the internet on computers of KSN (Kaspersky Security Networks) users in Indonesia.
Overall, 27.6% of domestic users were targeted by web-based threats in this period. This is an increase of 22% compared to 9,639,740 attempts in the same period last year and only a slight decrease (2%) from the last quarter (October to December) last year.
This places Indonesia at 60th worldwide and first in Southeast Asia in terms of the dangers posed by surfing the web. Here's the list:
Indonesia 11,802,558
Vietnam 11,571,877
Malaysia 9,875.009
Philippines 9,238,163
Thailand 4,617,733
Singapore 1,545,762
From January to March 2022, Kaspersky products detected as many as 14,047,376 local incidents on the computers of KSN participants in Indonesia. Overall, 29.9% of domestic users were attacked by local threats during this period and represents a decrease of 40% over the same period last year and also a decrease of 15% compared to the last quarter of last year.
This reduction in local threats can be attributed to ongoing remote work which minimizes the use of removable devices in the office, significantly.
"Cyber attacks, whether carried out through online or offline tactics, have proven to target individuals and businesses of all shapes and sizes. The emergence of various digitalization trends in Indonesia recently is an exciting development. We are seeing more people embracing NFT,
Crypto transactions, Metaverse and even investment lifestyle are growing rapidly among the younger generation. This trend should also be greeted with vigilance from all parties involved, as cybercriminals are always waiting for the next trend to be exploited," commented Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.
To avoid online threats, Kaspersky experts advise online users to:
Think hard before clicking suspicious links in emails or text messages. Do not open emails from unknown senders until you can verify their authenticity
Download apps only from official stores like Google Play. This will not provide full security guarantees, but the risk of encountering a Trojan will be much lower. Apps from third-party marketplaces are exactly where hackers plant their malware-laden apps.
Remember to install system and application updates - they will patch vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit
Enter your username and password only through secure connections. Avoid logging into online banks and similar services over public Wi-Fi networks.
Always run the system with the latest and quality anti-malware program
Be careful with free antivirus trials as it could be malware in disguise and targeting your mobile device. Affordable Android security software is available from trusted vendors and effectively performs the task of blocking malicious apps.
