Cybersecurity Expert Gives Tips to Avoid Crypto Scams

JAKARTA - In 2022, crypto asset phishing increased significantly with 40 percent year-on-year growth with 5,040,520 crypto phishing detections in 2022, compared to 3,596,437 in 2021.

In Southeast Asia (SEA), Kaspersky has seen a slight decline in 2022 as a whole. The global cybersecurity firm observed at least 64,080 crypto phishing in the region last year.

The decline in crypto phishing was mainly detected in Singapore (-74%), Thailand (-51) and Vietnam (-15%). However, this type of threat continues to increase in the Philippines (170%), Indonesia (+26%), and Malaysia (4%).

“Southeast Asia is home to a wide variety of countries and continues to lead globally in terms of crypto asset adoption. With very active play-to-earn players plus crypto asset uptake in countries with high overseas employment, we can see more adopters in the region," said Chris Connell, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky.

Because of this, Connell said that it is very important to develop a mindset that prioritizes protection against attacks associated with this beneficial technology.

To maximize the benefits of using crypto assets safely, Kaspersky experts also recommend:

• Beware of phishing scams: Scammers often use phishing emails or fake websites to trick people into revealing their login credentials or private keys. Always double check website URLs and don't click on suspicious links.
• Don't share private keys: any form of private data will unlock your crypto asset wallet. Keep it confidential and never share it with anyone.
• Educate yourself: stay informed about the latest cyberthreats and best practices for keeping your crypto assets safe. The more you know about self-protection, the better equipped you will be to prevent cyber attacks.
• Research before investing: Before investing in any crypto asset, thoroughly research the project and the team behind it. Check the project's website, regulations, and social media channels to make sure the project is legit.
• Use a security solution: a reliable security solution will protect your device against various types of threats, and prevent all known and unknown crypto asset scams, as well as the unauthorized use of computer processing to mine crypto assets.