Kaspersky PH report: Mobile malware drops, ranks 2nd most hit by crypto-phishing in SEA

Kaspersky recently revealed that the mobile malware it has detected on devices of users of its solutions in the Philippines went down by half in 2022 compared to 2021.

The dip is 54% from 34,010 to 15,372 within one year. The downward trend is observed in all countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) with the exception of Singapore.

"At this point, we can see that cybercriminals are still working on developing both malware functionality and spread vectors, so we should remain vigilant," says Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky.

In Kaspersky's study in 2021, 70% in SEA believe that a security solution is needed to protect their phones from cyberattacks. Yet, only 26% admitted installing security solutions on their devices.

"Our monitoring shows that malware is increasingly spreading through legitimate channels such as official marketplaces and ads in popular apps. This is true for both scam apps and dangerous mobile banking malware. It's a positive sign that people are now aware of cyber threats but awareness is not enough—it should ideally lead to action," he adds.

Photo shows Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, as he talks during a press event in Manila recently.

Kaspersky disclosed the statistics in today's media launch of its new, simplified consumer solutions portfolio that is now available for Filipino users.

Along with a new range of brand names, the reinvented product line brings an enhanced user interface and experience across multiple platforms. It also introduces a variety of features covering each category of contemporary consumer protection: security, privacy, performance and identity. Initially available in stores, the portfolio will be available online for Filipino internet users later in the year.

The cybersecurity and digital privacy company also shared that crypto-phishing attacks reached 24,737 last year, ranking the country second overall in SEA, next to Vietnam.

These figures show how cybercriminals have switched their attention to the crypto industry. Kaspersky experts attribute the increase in crypto-phishing attacks to the crypto market havoc last year. They added that the trend will carry on depending on the users' trust on cryptocurrency.

Based on Kaspersky's detection systems, an average of 400,000 new malicious files per day are discovered in 2022 reflecting a growth of 20,000 files per day compared to 2021. Among the new types of emerging threats range from advanced stealers targeting accounts of popular online gaming platforms or crypto wallets, to stalkerware that enables a perpetrator to secretly spy on another person’s private life via a mobile device.

"It is therefore important for users to have the answers to all possible scenarios, so they can carry on living their digital lives with confidence – whether it’s 'farming gold' in their favorite MMORPG, introducing kids to their first tablet, arranging a video call for senior members of the family or simply looking to explore and try the next big thing like building a smart home or taking a tour of the ‘metaverse’," adds Hia.

To respond to these developing challenges and needs, Kaspersky has reimagined its consumer protection “beyond AV” and laid out its new approach and evolutionary vision for the upcoming years.

Introducing new Kaspersky offerings: from standard to premium

The new simplified product line has been divided into several plans – Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Plus and Kaspersky Premium. The updated range of plans is now platform agnostic, and every one provides protection for different types of devices on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. These are all designed to reflect the level of functionality available to users across the entire ecosystem of the company’s consumer services.

Consumers who choose Kaspersky Standard will receive security functionality, including real-time protection against the latest digital threats and Safe Browsing & Anti-Phishing to provide defense from dangerous websites, downloads and extensions. The Standard plan also offers users a Pre-Kaspersky virus removal tool that can find and remove viruses that may have found their way into users’ PCs before they installed Kaspersky. On top of this, the plan includes a Firewall and Network Monitor which shows which apps are connected to the internet.

There is also a whole set of performance tools, including Quick Startup, PC Speed-up and Disk Space Cleanup tools. Game and Do Not Disturb modes, which switch on automatically during gaming, working or while streaming movies on a PC, ensure undisrupted experiences and minimize the usage of system resources, allowing reallocation to priority tasks. Stalkerware detection plus webcam and mic protection are some of the privacy features available to subscribers of this plan.

Privacy capabilities are more prominent in Kaspersky Plus. Users subscribed to this plan get access to everything available in Kaspersky Standard plus unlimited VPN and Premium Password Manager. They also get Data Leak Checker, which monitors the internet and dark web, warning users if their private data has been compromised and providing recommendations on what to do next. In addition, the plan includes Password Safety Status, which can enhance password protection by checking the safety status of passwords and their susceptibility to leaks. Under the Kaspersky Plus plan, users can also see which devices are connected to the home network, a particularly helpful feature for the owners of smart home tech.

The most feature-rich subscription plan, Kaspersky Premium, adds to all the previous capabilities by including digital identity protection and premium technical support – with priority access to phone calls or chat services, remote expert installation help and personal PC health checks. In order to provide comprehensive identity defense, users have access to Identity Protection Wallet, which stores copies of sensitive data (such as your passport or driver's license) in an encrypted format to prevent identity theft and lets you securely access your data across all of your devices. In addition, all customers of Kaspersky Premium will get a free one-year subscription of Kaspersky Safe Kids as a bonus, bringing additional value for parents.

In the future, Kaspersky is planning on further developing its ecosystem and expanding its list of partnerships and integrations, thus, delivering more value and services to its users.

UX improvements and subscriptions

A clearer, more user-friendly interface and experience enhance the new portfolio. Kaspersky has completely redesigned its solutions with the aim of improving customer interaction within the app and making it simpler and easier across the key areas – prevention (all dangerous threats are blocked automatically and users are notified), monitoring (users are notified about potential threats or actions that may lead to damage and have the opportunity to choose settings or actions in order to not interrupt their digital experience) and education (users can read about the functions and threats in special blocks if they want to learn more).

The new portfolio is designed to provide a clearer demonstration of the plan’s key capabilities, with guidance from the first moments of using the service thanks to an engaging onboarding process that simulates a trusted and friendly conversation. Quick action buttons provide immediate access to the most popular features. Security news and notifications can be found under the “Home” tab, while all the main information about the user’s subscription (status, renewal date, number of devices, etc.) is available in the “Profile” section.

“We are proud to launch this new product portfolio in the Philippines this year. Being one of the most active Internet users in the world, the Filipinos are indeed vulnerable to all types of online threats. The stakes of cybersecurity are increasing, and the digitalization of life has never been so real. Today, a security solution is no longer just a PC antivirus solution—it has become a comprehensive ecosystem of security services for any platform and device. The entire structure of the product interface has been revamped as well as the overall experience for our users. We think that this would help them understand and appreciate the scope and level of protection we're offering across security, performance, privacy and identity," comments Charleen Caban, Territory Channel Manager for the Philippines at Kaspersky.

"Keeping our consumers’ life secure and private is a priority for Kaspersky and we are proud to launch this new portfolio that is more than ever, aligned with the reality of the cyber threats landscape and with our customers' needs," she adds.

To learn more about the new Kaspersky product line and approach to consumer protection, visit here: Standard, Plus, Premium.

The new products retail for P690, P890, and P1,380, respectively, for a one-year license for one device. These are now available in all leading IT retail stores nationwide as well as in Lazada and Shopee.