Despite a decrease in the number of cyberattacks detected, the Philippines has seen a rise in its ranking for web threats, reaching third place globally in 2024. Kaspersky's report highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the importance of strengthening online defenses.
The Philippines has climbed to third place globally in terms of web threats in 2024, even as the total number of cyberattacks detected in the country has declined compared to the previous year, according to Kaspersky ’s latest report. The cybersecurity firm’s findings reveal that 42.3 percent of Filipino users encountered cyber risks in 2024, up from the country’s fourth-place ranking in 2023.
Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky, said this shift underscores the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the persistent vulnerabilities of online users in the country. “This should serve as a wake-up call for businesses and individuals in the Philippines. Clearly, it’s time to strengthen their defenses and stay vigilant against evolving online threats,” Yeo added. “Filipinos are known to be really active online so cybersecurity should no longer just an option but a necessity in today’s digital landscape.” Kaspersky’s report noted that a total of 14.10 million web threats targeted Filipino users last year, a decline from the 26.16 million incidents recorded in 2023. Despite this drop in volume, the Philippines moved up in rank, following Moldova with 43.2 percent of users attacked, and Belarus with 43.7 percent. Russia and Ukraine tied at the 4th place with 42 percent of their users attacked. In contrast, in 2023, the Philippines ranked fourth behind Mongolia, Moldova, and Greece, with 48 percent of Filipino users experiencing web-based cyber threats. Yeo explained that the fluctuating numbers of cyber threats do not necessarily indicate a “uniform decline” in malicious activity. Instead, improved detection and prevention technologies, a shift towards more sophisticated attacks, and better cybersecurity awareness among users could be factors masking the actual threat volume. “These explanations suggest a complex picture, rather than a simple overall reduction in malicious cyber activity.” Web threats refer to cyberattacks that exploit vulnerabilities in web browsers, plugins, and online platforms to deliver malware and other malicious content to users. Cybercriminals use methods such as drive-by downloads—where visiting a compromised website leads to automatic malware installation without the user’s knowledge—and social engineering attacks, which manipulate individuals into downloading malicious files disguised as legitimate programs. These attacks are commonly spread through phishing emails, fake websites, and misleading advertisements, often tricking unsuspecting users into compromising their personal and financial data. Yeo emphasized the importance of proactive measures, particularly given the evolving tactics of cybercriminals. To address these risks, Yeo recommends that individuals avoid downloading applications from unverified sources, refrain from clicking on suspicious links, create strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep software updated. Organizations should implement strict password policies, ensure regular software updates, and deploy advanced cybersecurity solutions with behavior-based detection to mitigate threats, he added
CYBERSECURITY WEB THREATS PHILIPPINES KASPERSKY CYBERATTACKS
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