LETTERS: There has been an increase in cyberattacks all over the world, including Malaysia.
Data analysis by the Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team revealed that more than 8,000 incidents reported in 2020 were related to cybercrimes.
What's more terrifying is that cybercrimes have escalated by 82.5 per cent from the beginning of the first Movement Control Order.
Total losses reported during this period were estimated at RM200 million.
Cybercrimes include financial fraud crimes, such as distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attack, malware; identity theft and spoofing; and phishing scams.
Perpetrators target either people or companies for financial gain, sabotaging or disrupting operations for personal satisfaction, devastating businesses and affecting essential services as well as private individuals.
Cybercriminals use various attack vectors and seek new techniques, making this fraudulent online activity undetected, especially when people are not vigilant of its practices when using digital devices.
Often, victims of cybercrimes are negligent with their online activities, from forgetting usernames and passwords and using passwords that are easy for hackers to crack, to posting confidential information on social media.
The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown has triggered an unprecedented growth in the digital and e-commerce sectors, but there are also negative consequences due to negligence.
For example, when you buy a book online, you need to provide your name, address, contact number and oftentimes, your credit card or payment details.
This information is valuable to hackers who use it for personal gain.
Failing to secure your personal information could cause not only financial and information loss but also jeopardise your reputation.
In short, cybersecurity is not about being technical and savvy, but rather a careful practice when personal information is administered via a computer network.
The impact of cybercrimes on retail supply chains can be seen as a breach of buyers' information, leading to a loss of sellers' or retailers' reputation.
Just one unsatisfied customer can cause a ripple effect in supply chains.
Online businesses are convenient, cost-efficient and profitable but employees must be informed about cybersecurity awareness.
There are simple steps to avoid being victims:
FIRST, never give out personal data over the phone or email, unless you are sure that the network is secured.
Do not open attachments in your email or message from unknown sources.
Do not download links from spam emails or unidentified sources;
SECOND, always do a background search on the authenticity of organisations you are in business with.
Use strong and unique passwords that are hard to guess, and do not write it anywhere; and,
THIRDLY, an updated anti-virus software and operating system can detect, prevent and remove malware, thus preventing cybercriminals from stealing personal data.
SHAHFIQ NASHRAH M. ASHRAH
Senior executive (apps services),
ITMS Department, Universiti
Teknologi Petronas
PROFESSOR DR VEERA PANDIYAN KALIANI SUNDRAM
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi Mara; and president of Malaysia Logistics and Supply Chain Association
PROFESSOR DR JAAFAR PYEMAN
Director, Institute of Business Excellence, UiTM
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times