Use common sense test to avoid trap

LETTERS: The Digital Communications Ministry's concerns about online scams are well founded given its severity.

Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry planned to focus on this and other issues regarding data protection, fake news and misinformation on social media.

His statement shows the government is serious about dealing with the problem.

Earlier this year, police reported that RM58 million was lost to online shopping scams last year.

Police said most scams involved imposter sites that duped people into buying counterfeit goods or making payments to dubious accounts.

This included phishing tactics to acquire victims' information to be used to commit identity theft.

Statistics from four years ago show that there were 28.7 million Internet users in Malaysia, or 87.4 per cent of the population.

Cyberattacks have increased just as fast as or even faster than security measures that have been put in place.

State-sponsored attacks are not only sophisticated and potent, but once deployed, these technologies can fall into the hands of cybercriminals.

The increasing number of people falling for scams is worrying. Why are some people so naive? Why do they fall prey to false promises?

Is it because they missed the warnings issued by police and other enforcement agencies, or is it because of greed? Or is it a combination of both.

We know that to be successful in life, one has to work hard. So if an offer or a promise comes too easily, we must be cautious before responding.

Use the common sense test. If it sounds too good to be true, cease and desist. Or ask colleagues and friends for advice before taking the plunge.

Equally serious is fake news. The minister needs to tighten laws to fight fake news.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Kuala Lumpur

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times