- Computer viruses caused a loss of 8.7 trillion VND (400 million USD) in Vietnam last year compared to 8.5 trillion VND in 2014, the BKAV Technology Group revealed in its latest network security survey released last month.
Nearly 63,000 new viruses appeared last year, infecting 61.7 million computers.
The losses caused by computer viruses are calculated based on users' incomes and their computers' downtime.
On average, a computer user in Vietnam lost 1.25 million VND (55 USD) and nearly 7 million computers were seriously affected, the survey said.
USBs were the worst hit resource, with 83 percent of survey participants saying their USBs were infected at least once last year compared to 85 percent in 2014.
Over 9.1 million computers were infected by viruses through USB, the most common being the W32 UsbFakeDrive virus.
Half the respondents complained about getting spam messages every day, a rise in numbers despite efforts to crack down by the Government and mobile service providers.
However, the huge benefits many derived from spam meant the situation could not be fully addressed, and around 14 million spam messages were sent to mobile users every day.
Around 93 percent of Facebook users too said they often got spam messages, sexual content or harmful links (malware).
Every month, BKAV said, 1,000 fake accounts were created to steal Facebook users' banking details.
The survey indicated one good thing: that 58 percent of mobile users paid attention to security when they wanted to download software, a significant increase from the 13 percent in 2014.
But nearly 40 percent continued to ignore this.
The survey also recognised that users' security awareness had improved, with 48 percent of participants only opening a file after checking with senders, 74 percent often locking their computers, and the number of those with strong passwords (a combination of digits, letters, special characters) growing.
Besides, hackers successfully attacked over 5,200 websites belonging to both the Government and private organisations and businesses.
In 2016 ransomware (stealing database to blackmail) and adware (illegal advertisement software) are expected to proliferate because of the huge attendant profits.
Spyware for stealing information and DDoS (service denial) are also likely to increase.
"Political conflicts and huge profits will breed computer viruses in 2016," Ngo Tuan Anh, BKAV's deputy chairman in charge of network security, warned.-VNA
Computer virus attacks have cost Vietnamese computer users an average of 327 billion VND (18 million USD) since January 2008 to Aril of this year, according to a survey by the Bach Khoa Internetwork Security Centre (BKIS).
Government agencies and computer users in Vietnam were warned of the potential loss of data on computers affected by the emerging computer virus CryptoLocker.
The approval of the plan of development of digital information security to 2020 and the Law on Internet Security show that Vietnam has raised awareness of the importance of information security.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
