Computer viruses cause US$716 million in damage to Vietnamese users
VOV.VN - Computer viruses caused an estimated loss of VND17.3 trillion (approx. US$716 million) to Vietnamese users last year, a figure much lower than the previous years, reported Bkav Technology Group.
The proliferation of computers infected with data encryption malware and advanced persistent threat (APT) malware was the main cause behind the loss.
Bkav noted that last year there were a total of 745,000 computers found infected with malwares capable of tracking users’ actions and stealing their personal data, such as bank account information and Facebook passwords, up 40% compared to figures recorded in 2022.
According to BKAV, the most common malicious software attacking Vietnamese users in 2023 were mainly RedLineStealer, ArkeiStealer, and Fabookie.
The technology group also pointed out that most personal computers (PCs) were infected the virus due to users’ installation of cracked or unlicensed (pirated) software.
Statistics show up to 53% of PCs in Vietnam use illegal or pirated software, a factor leading to about 10% of Vietnamese users losing their social network, email, and bank accounts.
To avoid data encryption attacks, Nguyen Tien Dat, general director of Bkav Cyber Security Co. in charge of AntiMalware, recommended that users and computer system administration teams regularly back up important data, proactively install and update copyrighted anti-virus and malicious code detection software to ensure better protection.
