Malware Trend in the MSME Sector in 2023 Increases 123.73 Percent

JAKARTA - The micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in Indonesia has developed rapidly. Data shows that the Indonesian economy in the second quarter of 2023 grew by 5.17 percent.

But on the other hand, Kaspersky's latest report on threats to MSMEs highlights the reality that cybercriminals continue to target the MSME sector globally, including Indonesia, with various sophisticated tactics.

According to the global cybersecurity company, as many as 730 MSME employees in Indonesia have encountered malware or unwanted software disguised as business applications, between January and June 2023.

Kaspersky said that malware attacks are destructive for small businesses because they can cripple devices requiring expensive repairs or replacements, accessing and stealing data through backdoors, thereby endangering customers and employees.

Regarding unique malware detected in the first half of 2023, there were 839 unique files distributed this way. This number increased by 123.73 percent compared to the same period last year of 375.

Apart from that, Kaspersky has also blocked 11,969 malicious files targeting the domestic MSME sector during the first half of this year. An increase of 83.18 percent, when compared to 6,534 attack attempts in the same period in 2022.

“With the potential for enormous economic growth in Indonesia, the MSME sector must now build cyber defenses more than ever. "It is important for business owners, as a first step, to map the challenges or disruptions they face regarding cybersecurity," said Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager Southeast Asia at Kaspersky in a statement received.