According to experts, the trend of working online has increased the risk for users to be exposed to cyber threats, especially ransomware and phishing.

Of a total of 1,271 cyber-attacks causing incidents to information systems in Vietnam during this period, the number of malware attacks was the highest, with 623 cases. The numbers of phishing and deface attacks were 449 and 199, respectively.

The number of cyber-attacks causing incidents on information systems in Vietnam decreased by 20% year on year, but it slightly increased from January through March.

Specifically, in March 2021, the Department of Information Security recorded 491 cyber-attacks, an increase of 8.15% compared to that in February 2021, including 180 malware attacks, 164 phishing and 147 deface attacks.

The total number of cyber-attacks on local systems was 326 in January 2021, up 3.49% from the previous month. This figure in February 2021 was 454, an increase of 39.26% compared to January.

According to the Department of Information Security, after eight consecutive months of decline, in March 2021, the number of Vietnamese IP addresses in botnets increased slightly, to 1,021,545 addresses, an increase of 11.34% compared to February 2021.

However, in the first quarter of 2021, the number of Vietnamese IP addresses in botnets decreased by 37.44% compared to the first quarter of 2020 and by 14.39% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Director Tran Quang Hung, of the National Center for Cyber-Security Monitoring (NCSC) under the Department of Information Security in 2020, said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a significant increase of insecurity risk. Vietnam early on identified the problem and prepared well to deal with it, so the country effectively minimized the risks.

For state agencies, according to NCSC, 2020 was a year with many bright spots ensuring cyber security. Under the direction of the Government, 100% of ministries, agencies and localities have basically completed the implementation of the Cyber Security Monitoring and Operation Center and connected these centers to the NCSC's system.

From a business perspective, the program "Make in Vietnam" has urged information security businesses to master core technology, and bring their quality and advanced products and services to the market.

Predicting a prominent cyber-attack trend this year, the NCSC representative said that with the unpredictable developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, in 2021 online phishing attacks will be still complicated, with an increase in number and methods.

Experts also pointed out that in Vietnam, as businesses and organizations are promoting digital transformation in a variety of fields, from government, health, education to tourism, trade, new challenges for ensuring cyber security are emerging.

Van Anh

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