CYBERJAYA: Cybersecurity experts are urging the public to adopt ‘digital hygiene’ to defend against AI-driven cyber threats, misinformation and data breaches.
At a Blackberry-hosted media roundtable, industry leaders say as AI-driven misinformation and cyberattacks continue to evolve, digital hygiene is more essential than ever
They have highlighted several habits to reduce security risks associated with mobile apps, messaging platforms and digital transactions, which should be adopted by Malaysians to safeguard their data, privacy and personal security.
Derek Fernandez, the commission’s Online Harms and Information Security Committee chairman stressed that practising good digital hygiene can prevent malicious activities, particularly while users are unaware.
“When you’re sleeping, your phone remains connected - WiFi, Bluetooth and other entry points are still open.
“These are vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit, and you won’t even be aware of it,” he said at BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence here on Monday (March 10).
He advised users to switch off their phones at night and disable unnecessary permissions such as location tracking and background app access.
“Ask yourself, why do you need your location while you’re talking on the phone? Be mindful of the permissions you grant and avoid clicking ‘Yes’ without reviewing them,” he cautioned.
Fernandez also recommended using paid virtual private network (VPN) services instead of free ones, as free services often compromise user privacy.
“Any free services means you are the product. Remember that.”
Additionally, he urged Malaysians to install antivirus and anti-malware software, citing a previous security plan offered by Maxis for RM7 that was largely ignored because users failed to see the threat.
One of the simplest digital hygiene habits is to type out search queries instead of clicking on links received via messaging apps or emails, he said.
“A little extra effort can go a long way. Instead of clicking on a suspicious link, take the time to manually type it into your browser.
“This helps you avoid phishing attacks and malicious websites,” Fernandez said.
BlackBerry APAC Strategic Technical Solutions senior director Jonathan Jackson emphasised the importance of regular software updates, as cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in outdated operating systems.
“The integrity of your phone’s operating system is paramount.
“Hackers take advantage of outdated systems, so patch your devices and update them regularly,” he said.
Jackson also highlighted the use of safe words as an extra layer of verification in transactions.
“For example, if I set a safe word with David. let’s say ‘Utah’ - then when I hear it, I know the transaction is legitimate. This simple step helps prevent fraud,” he explained.
Blackberry Secure Communications vice-president David Wiseman suggested a quick and easy security measure that most users overlook: restarting their phones every morning.
“When you power off and on again, the operating system runs a series of validation checks to ensure no unauthorised processes are running in the background. It’s a simple habit anyone can adopt,” he said.
