Malaysia is sixth most vulnerable to cyber crime

 KUALA LUMPUR: Cyber criminals have hit Malaysia to the tune of RM1bil in losses, making the country the sixth most vulnerable to cyber crime.

The Sophos Security Threat Report 2013 listed Malaysia along with several countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, China, India and Indonesia.

Deputy Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said Malaysians were also facing threats from international criminal organisations which abuse the internet for activities such as drugs, human trafficking, financial fraud and money laundering.

"It is also sad to note that cyber criminals are exploiting the public's thirst for information on the (Malaysia Airlines) flights MH370 and MH17 cases", he said at the 4th Annual Information Security Summit here.

Present was Asian World Summit chairman Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas.

Jailani said cyber crime in the country increased to 10,636 cases last year, from 9,986 cases the previous year.

He said statistics from the Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT) showed incidents on malicious codes had the highest increase with 1,106 more cases recorded last year, from 645 cases in 2012.

"Incidents of cyber harassment, fraud and spam have shown a slight increase with the highest reduction in intrusion incidents", he added.

Jailani urged all parties, including the government, private sector, critical infrastructure providers and individuals to play their part in lifting cyber security standards.

As such, he said the Click Wisely campaign was a successful initiative to educate and raise awareness for the public to be responsible and ethical when surfing the Internet. - Bernama