During the Lunar New Year, the longest holiday period of the year for Vietnamese people, cybersecurity experts advise computer users to be cautious of cybercriminals.
According to statistics from several information security officers in sensitive agencies in Vietnam, the number of hacking incidents during the New Year and Christmas holidays increases by 35% to 50%. This number is expected to be even higher during the Lunar New Year.
The reason, according to Do Ngoc Duy Trac, Director of VSEC Information Security Network, is that hackers often have free time at the end of the year to “explore” systems they are interested in. During this period, especially close to the New Year, the frequency of online transactions and exchanges skyrockets, allowing hackers to profit most from successful attacks on systems. There will be numerous online orders through platforms like Amazon, presenting a “golden opportunity” for those engaging in fraudulent shipping or creating counterfeit payment cards.
Additionally, another reason for the increase in cybercrime during holidays is that this is a time when the personnel responsible for operating, protecting, and monitoring systems are often thin and easily distracted. A primary cause also stems from the negligence of system administrators who “loosen” protective measures to allow remote access to the systems.
A notable example globally is Kevin Mitnick’s successful attack on Sun Microsystems’ system during Christmas on December 24, 1994.
In Vietnam, many still remember the attack on the website tintucvietnam.com at the end of 2004. It is not coincidental that at the end of 2005, Vietnam witnessed a series of incidents involving online purchases with stolen accounts and counterfeit ATM cards, resulting in hundreds of millions of dong in fraudulent transactions, alongside several malicious bank attack attempts that were fortunately thwarted in time.
According to Nguyen Tu Quang, director of BKIS Center, these consecutive events indicate a general trend of cybercrime in Vietnam shifting towards economic motives rather than mere demonstrations of power. It is certain that this situation will evolve complicatively, necessitating increased attention and preventive measures from relevant authorities.
Another danger during the holiday season for online users is viruses and spyware. Therefore, computer users should be cautious of New Year’s greeting cards sent via email or chat, particularly if they have doubts about the sender’s origin.
To protect the “life” of your computer, Quang offers the advice: “Being vigilant can eliminate over 90% of risks related to computer viruses, spyware, and adware. When receiving emails or e-cards, do not rush to open them; instead, verify their origin first. For example, read any accompanying text to see if it is genuinely addressed to you or merely generic, and ensure you regularly update your antivirus software.”
