Kaspersky Blocked Nearly 300K Ransomware Incidents In Southeast Asia Last Year

JAKARTA - Throughout 2023, Kaspersky's cybersecurity solutions have succeeded in detecting as many as 287,413 ransomware incidents in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region.

Ransomware targeting businesses in Southeast Asia last year was Thailand's highest with 109,315 incidents blocked by Kaspersky.

Then followed by Indonesia with 97,226 ransomware attacks, Vietnam with 59,837 attacks, Philippines 15,312 malicious encryption, and followed by Malaysia with 4,982, and Singapore with 741 incidents.

Several incidents that had made headlines in Indonesia were Bank Syariah Indonesia, which experienced disruptions to its services, both online banking and automated teller machines (ATMs) for some time.

In addition, Kaspersky also recorded another incident that befell public health insurance companies in the Philippines, a public rail transportation system in Malaysia, a well-known hotel and casino in Singapore, and an energy company in Vietnam.

"It is proven that the perpetrators of the threat behind the ransomware attack target all sectors in Southeast Asia. The total number of efforts made may be less, but the organization needs to be aware of the real impact of any successful ransomware infection, both financially and reputationally," said Yeo Siang. Chinese, General Manager for Southeast Asia, Kaspersky

Experts from global cybersecurity companies are urging organizations, regardless of their shape and size, to enhance their IT security posture due to ransomware, especially targeted types, to continue to be a detrimental threat to organizations in the region.