Damages caused because of Computer Viruses to the Vietnamese users reached $642 million in 2018

As per BKAV, cybersecurity firm of Vietnam, damages caused because of computer viruses to the Vietnamese users have reached a record high of $642 million (VND 14.9 trillion) in 2018. This is increase of 21% when compared with 2017.

More than 60% of businesses and agencies in Vietnam have been infected with the cryptocurrency malware, as per BKAV. Out of every 10 businesses and agencies, six businesses and agencies reported being hijacked. The problem has been attributed to the weak solutions that were applied by enterprises and agencies. The enterprises and
agencies do not equip each of their systems (computers) with the comprehensive anti-virus solutions; therefore if only one of the computers becomes infected with malware, then all other computers of same networks also will be attacked.

The cryptocurrency malware not can just slow down the computers, but can update as well as download more malware for stealing personal information, erasing data, or conducting Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks. In the year 2018, more than 1.6 million computers in the country (i.e. Vietnam) reported losing data.

The two types of popular viruses which make the Vietnamese people lose data were ransomware along with viruses that remove data on USB. The ransomware spreads mostly by emails. 74% of the Vietnamese users open attached files from the emails, rather than opening the files in safe environment. As USB is most popular and common means of exchanging data in Vietnam, so number of computers that are getting infected with malware through USB is high. In Vietnam, around 77% of USBs gets infected at least once per year.

Experts from BKAV have warned that the malware using AI might come up in 2019, in Vietnam, possibly under PoC (proof of concept) form. But, still the biggest threat for the internet users will come from cryptocurrency malware, APT attacks, and ransomware.

These kinds of malware could be used in various ways in combination for maximizing their spreading capability. The use of fake emails, as well as exploiting operating systems and software flaws are most commonly used method. Number of security vulnerabilities in the applications and software has increased massively by 2.5 times in the
year 2017 and 2018, as compared to the previous years.

» SPAMfighter News - 1/15/2019