Computer viruses cost Vietnamese users 10,400 billion VND in 2016

Thứ Năm, 12/01/2017, 19:29
PSNews – The BKAV Corporation newly released a report, revealing that computer viruses caused a huge loss worth 10,400 billion VND to Vietnamese users in 2016, up by 1,700 billion VND in comparison with 2015.

According to BKAV Corporation, Ransomware, the type of computer virus that spreads via USBs; junk emails; and ATP intentional attacks will continue to be the major threats in 2017 for Vietnamese computer users.

2016 saw the explosion of the data-encrypting Ransomware using for extortion as 16% of all emails were found containing Ransomware, up by 20 times compared to 2015. Thus in every 10 emails received in 2016, Vietnamese computer users would get 1.6 email with Ransomware in it, the report said, adding that the number is alarming.

The cyber security company predicted that APT intentional attacks will likely happen in the coming time as they have found APT variants existing in computers of many agencies and businesses.

Besides, BKAV experts also pointed out that deleting the Auto Run feature from Microsoft's operating systems cannot deactivate the virus in USBs, and that up to 83% of USBs was infected with viruses, not lower than 2015.

“Microsoft's efforts could only destroy viruses that spread directly through the Auto Run as W32.AutoRunUSB. However, the strong growth of W32.UsbFakeDrive line, which could be spread without the aid of the AutoRun, but with just one "click", the report says, “In 2016, 16.7 million computers were found to be infected with the virus spreading via USB while 89% of inflections were related to the W32.UsbFakeDrive line.”

"It is time to strictly control the use of USBs to limit the spread of the virus. Individual users should be equipped with anti-virus softwares, aiming to scan USB devices before use. Users also should restrict the use of USBs on strange computers”, BKAV experts recommended.

The biggest anti-virus company in Vietnam also advised agencies and enterprises to equip their devices with security control solutions and to control the use of USB devices by classifying their computers by work demand and importance.

According to BKAV, the incident occurred on 29 July, 2016 when hackers attacked the Vietnam Airlines website to post distorted information, was a strong warning of the risk of APT intentional attacks.

The cyber security company predicted that APT intentional attacks will likely happen in the coming time as they have found APT variants existing in computers of many agencies and businesses.

By Phung Nguyen