While vulnerabilities are inevitable in any software, regular patching and updates can minimize the risk of exploitation. That’s why users are always advised to install the latest software versions as soon as they are available, even if these updates can sometimes be difficult or a time-consuming task for organizations. However, a fresh study from Kaspersky revealed more than half (54%) of organizations in Southeast Asia (SEA) have work to do regarding this crucial task.
Kaspersky research shows timely updates can cut business data breach’s costs
The recent Kaspersky report, ‘How businesses can minimize the cost of a data breach’ showed that 38% of SMBs (small and medium businesses) and a whopping 48% of enterprises from SEA are still working with unpatched operation systems. In addition, 33% of SMBs and 43% of enterprises from the region are still guilty of using out-of-date software.
Researchers from Kaspersky have spotted a significant growth of the malware used by SilentFade, the gang responsible for $4 million fraud on Facebook in 2019. Just last January 2021, experts from the global cybersecurity company have recorded and analyzed Frank rootkit and found similarities to the campaign. The most number of incidents for the past month were detected in India, Brazil, Indonesia, Italy, Germany, Algeria, Malaysia, Russia, France and Egypt.
10 countries with the most number of detections - January 2021
Last year’s Kaspersky telemetry did not detect SilentFade’s presence in Southeast Asia. A different landscape was monitored back in January when the region witnessed a rapid spread of this malware with a total of 576 incidents. Aside from 221 and 137 detections in Indonesia and Malaysia, the Philippines logged 96 cases, Vietnam with 71, Thailand with 27, and Singapore with 24.
SilentFade malware attacks ramp up in Southeast Asia
SilentFade malware attacks ramp up in Southeast Asia
India topped the list
Yeo Siang Tiong (Kaspersky) Credit: Kaspersky
India, Indonesia and Malaysia were among the top 10 countries globally to have been hit by the greatest number of malware attacks by the SilentFade group last month, according to cyber security vendor Kaspersky.
CSO, Facebook discovered the SilentFade malware family towards the end of 2018, with its origins traced back to 2016.
The SilentFade group initially made use of a combination of a Windows Trojan, browser injections, clever scripting, and a bug in the Facebook platform to deploy its malware.
Nearly 2-in-10 in SEA share news on social media before verifying if true
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News consumption from mainstream media and online sources has received a huge uptick globally, including countries in Southeast Asia (SEA), with the public forced to stay at home last year. It is also notable that online citizens from the region consume most of their news through social media.
Percent of social media users in Southeast Asia who said they share news/articles on social media before verifying if it’s true
A recent Kaspersky research has revealed that majority (76%) of users in SEA get their news updates from platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more. The percentage is higher for Gen Z at 83%, followed by Millennials at 81%, Baby Boomers at 70%, and Gen X at 62%. This, however, does not mean absolute trust in information published on these platforms.
Published February 5, 2021, 5:30 AM
Almost two out of ten people in Southeast Asia (SEA) share news on social media first before verifying if it’s true, according to the latest survey of global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.
The survey, which research agency YouGov conducted in the Philippines, Australia, India, Malaysia, , Singapore, and Vietnam covered 1,240 working professionals active on social media (spending at least 1 hour a day on social media) aged 18-65.
With the public locked down due to the pandemic, citizens from the region consumed most of their news through social media.
Majority, 76% of users in SEA, get their news updates from platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.