DESPITE the dip in mobile malware attacks in the Philippines in 2022, Kaspersky believes that security solutions are now necessary, as the types of attacks have become more “sophisticated.”
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Kaspersky Managing Director for Asia Pacific Adrian Hia said Kasperky recorded a 54-percent decline in malware detected on mobile devices in the Philippines — to 34,010 attacks in 2022 from 15,372 the year prior.
“At this point, we can see that cybercriminals are still working on developing both malware functionality and spread vectors, so we should remain vigilant,” he said. “Our monitoring shows that malware is increasingly spreading through legitimate channels such as official marketplaces and ads in popular apps. This is true for both scam apps and dangerous mobile banking malware. It’s a positive sign that people are now aware of cyber threats but awareness is not enough—it should ideally lead to action.”
He noted that 70 percent of Southeast Asians believe that “security solution is needed to protect their phones from cyberattacks.”
And yet, only 26 percent admitted installing security solutions on their devices.
Hia also noted that cryptophishing attacks reached 24,737 in 2022, the second highest in Southeast Asia, which he said, means that “cybercriminals have switched their attention to the crypto industry.”
The increase in crypto-phishing attacks to the crypto market havoc last year and this year is expected to persist.
Based on Kaspersky’s detection systems, an average of 400,000 new malicious files per day are discovered in 2022 reflecting a growth of 20,000 files per day compared to 2021. The new types of emerging threats range from advanced stealers targeting accounts of popular online gaming platforms or cryptowallets, to stalkerware that enables a perpetrator to secretly spy on another person’s private life via a mobile device.
“It is therefore important for users to have the answers to all possible scenarios, so they can carry on living their digital lives with confidence—whether it’s ‘farming gold’ in their favorite MMORPG, introducing kids to their first tablet, arranging a video call for senior members of the family or simply looking to explore and try the next big thing like building a smart home or taking a tour of the metaverse,” Hia added.
During the briefing, Kaspersky also introduced a new product line for mobile security: Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus and Kaspersky Premium.
The updated range of plans is now platform agnostic, and every one provides protection for different types of devices on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. These are all designed to reflect the level of functionality available to users across the entire ecosystem of the company’s consumer services.
According to Kaspersky Philippines Territory Channel Manager Charleen Caban, the new portfolio is designed to provide a clearer demonstration of the plan’s key capabilities, with guidance from the first moments of using the service thanks to an engaging onboarding process that simulates a trusted and friendly conversation.
“Being one of the most active Internet users in the world, the Filipinos are indeed vulnerable to all types of online threats. The stakes of cybersecurity are increasing, and the digitalization of life has never been so real. Today, a security solution is no longer just a PC antivirus solution—it has become a comprehensive ecosystem of security services for any platform and device,” she said.
Image credits: Roman Stavila | Dreamstime.com