According to the latest report from the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), web threats directed at the Philippines in 2023 decreased by approximately 2% compared to the previous year, falling from 49.8% in 2022 to 48%.
According to Kaspersky, a cybersecurity solutions provider, this decline has resulted in the Philippines moving down two spots to claim the fourth position globally among countries facing the highest volumes of malicious files and phishing attempts online. While this may seem like a positive trend, Kaspersky emphasizes the importance of maintaining vigilance.
In the latest global ranking, the Philippines ranks behind Mongolia (51.8%), Moldova (48.9%), and Greece (48.8%). Since 2019, the country has consistently maintained a position within the top 10 countries targeted by web threats. Among Southeast Asian nations, Malaysia closely trails the Philippines in terms of the overall percentage of users affected by web-based threats throughout 2023.
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Web threats
“There are two potential factors contributing to the decrease in web threats,” said Yeo Siang Tiong, general manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky. “Firstly, we observe that the Philippines is gradually improving its cybersecurity measures, positioning it within the intermediate tier of nations actively combatting cyber threats. Secondly, cybercriminals are shifting toward more targeted attacks, moving away from the traditional ‘spray and pray’ approach.”
However, Kaspersky warns against complacency noting that cybercriminals continually evolve their tactics, often catching cybersecurity experts off guard. The organizations’ focus should be on proactive threat detection and response. This is where threat intelligence becomes invaluable.
Web threats include various attack vectors, including social engineering tactics that exploit user participation and drive-by downloads that infect devices silently through compromised websites. Notable examples from the Philippines include last year’s data breaches involving a government agency and an e-wallet company, both attributed to phishing attacks.