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Brace for more phishing, scams, data breaches, APT attacks in APAC 2024 – Kaspersky

Global cybersecurity company reveals that, in particular, the dangers of phishing, scams, data breaches, and geo politically-motivated cyberattacks are seen to continue targeting organizations and individuals from the region.

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2 years ago

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Driven by the Asia Pacific’s (APAC) rapid digitalization movement and known geopolitical frictions, experts at Kaspersky predict the upcoming cybersecurity threat landscape in the region this year.

Global cybersecurity company reveals that, in particular, the dangers of phishing, scams, data breaches, and geo politically-motivated cyberattacks are seen to continue targeting organizations and individuals from the region.

“Asia Pacific’s digital economy continues to grow exponentially and is expected to keep its momentum in the next five years. With digitalization efforts including adoption of technologies like digital payments, Super Apps, IoT, smart cities, and now generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity will be key to ensuring the resilience of the region’s overall defenses against potentially damaging cyberattacks,” says Vitaly Kamluk, Head of Research Center for Asia Pacific, Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) at Kaspersky.

“When it comes to sophisticated Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), we have seen that cyber espionage remains to be the main objective of Asian groups. We expect this trend to continue in 2024 due to the existing geopolitical tensions in the region,” Kamluk adds.

Kaspersky’s GReAT researchers have also specified the key cyberthreat predictions in 2024 for the key countries and territories in APAC.

South East Asia (Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia)

The scale of scam in Southeast Asia

According to a report by the UN, hundreds of thousands of people from Southeast Asia (SEA) were recruited to join online-scam operations such as romance-investment scams, crypto fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling. Recruitment to these criminal operations are mostly done via advertised professional roles such as programmers, marketers or human resource specialists, through what appear to be legitimate and even elaborate procedures. 

Increased usage and trust in digital payment methods, lack of regulations protecting the rights of users online and large numbers of people forced into joining online-scam operations add complexity to this major issue in SEA and in resolving it.

“Law enforcement is working on many of those cases, involving scam and phishing attacks and we have seen successful operations in 2023, such as a joint operation of Australian Federal Police (AFP), and United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Malaysian Police which led to the arrest of 8 individuals behind a syndicate running a phishing-as-a-service campaign online,” says Kamluk.

“Nevertheless, we think that the scale of online scam and phishing attacks in Southeast Asia will only continue growing in the coming years due to technical and legal illiteracy of many people involved in such attacks from operators to victims,” he adds.

Singapore

Major technology safety and security highlights in Singapore in 2023 were related to data breaches and outages.

Financial service outages

In October 2023, DBS, one of the largest Singapore banks, experienced an operational failure due to datacenter outage, which resulted in 2.5 million failed transactions. Although, the reason for failure was not to be associated with a cyberattack at the time, given a prior history of outages, it will have implications on the bank’s strategies and priorities among which shall be increased reliability and safety of the services. As reported by the media, Citibank operations were also affected. While we embrace attention to improving the reliability and security of the infrastructure, it’s still the time of changes, which always opens a window of opportunities for the attackers.

DDoS attacks

Another highlight was related to web service outages of several public hospitals and polyclinics due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack: the attackers flooded servers with internet traffic to prevent users from accessing online services. The disruption did not result in a compromise of data or internal networks according to publicly known information. This incident tells us that while the websites demonstrated resilience against potential compromises, they were unfortunately unprepared to a DDoS attack. 

Website defacements

A number of Singapore websites suffered from politically motivated defacement attacks in late 2023. Those attacks affected a historical temple website, a retirement info website, a tourism agency and other businesses located in Singapore.

“The bottom line is that the trend for future attacks in Singapore will likely be related to denial of service attacks, politically motivated compromises, defacements, and data leaks. Targeted ransomware threat is still real too, but will adopt the newest trend of pressuring the victim through regulator complaints,” explains Kamluk.

South Korea

Prominent political event and cybersecurity threats

In the upcoming year of 2024, South Korea is poised to hold a significant general election. Historically, major political events such as this have consistently attracted the attention of threat actors, who view them as prime opportunities for launching direct cyberattacks with the intent of disrupting the political proceedings. Furthermore, these threat actors often employ sophisticated social engineering techniques to achieve their goals. Thus, it is our firm belief that this impending major event will serve as a catalyst, intensifying the frequency and complexity of cyberattacks.

Customized Cyber Threats Targeting the Local IT Environment

Over the past several years, alleged state-sponsored threat actors have systematically infiltrated numerous entities within South Korea, employing widely adopted software solutions that are integral to the country’s IT infrastructure. These adversaries adeptly exploited vulnerabilities specific to the local, well-known software and IT ecosystem, thereby facilitating the successful dissemination of their malicious software to their unsuspecting targets. This nefarious activity wreaked havoc across various industries, causing extensive damage.

“As we look ahead to the year 2024, it is evident that these customized threats, meticulously tailored to exploit South Korea’s unique software landscape and IT environment, are poised to persist and pose an ongoing challenge,” adds Kamluk.

China

Telecom fraud activity will decrease, but phishing attacks may increase

In the past year, the Chinese government has been trying to find ways and even seek international cooperation to combat telecom fraud. In this high-pressure environment, the telecom fraud groups, known to be located in northern Myanmar, may soon collapse. 

However, Kaspersky researchers still have seen a wave of phishing attacks from unidentified groups over the past year launching frantic QR code phishing attacks on Chinese citizens, targeting personal credit card information. This group’s operations do not appear to be affected by the situation in northern Myanmar, and based on Kaspersky statistics and observed behavioral patterns, attacks may peak again at the end of the year and early next year. 

APT attacks on high profile targets will become increasingly active

Earlier this year, Chinese authorities reported cyberattacks on various national institutions and organizations. The CVERC reported isolating a spyware artifact named “Second Date”. This advanced cyber-espionage tool can fully control targeted network devices and enable prolonged data theft.

Targets that were compromised include a university developing military-industrial projects and government departments that maintain basic geographic data. In addition, Kaspersky have also noticed that some long-term active APT organizations have launched APT attacks against Chinese nuclear energy companies and unknown targets. 

Given China’s geopolitical prominence, Kaspersky experts expect that the number of APT attacks targeting the country will only increase in the future.

India

India has been traditionally suffering from a number of low skill but high scale scam and fraud cases. Typical threats include the following:

  • Illegal or fake digital loan apps
  • Income tax refund services
  • Real estate fraud
  • Investment scam
  • Ponzi schemes online
  • Job fraud
  • Sextortion

“The rise of technologies and digitalization of the Indian economy, such as increased use of the sophisticated Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the software from the National Payments Corporation of India, will lead to a wave of related scams. Another opportunity for scammers is the ever-rising popularity of cryptocurrencies, which may lead to a new generation of scam apps,” explains Kamluk.

Also, a growing popularity of micro-loan apps has resulted in new schemes to target users in India through unexpected inflated premiums and personal threats. 

In addition, with India’s move towards smart cities, IoT vulnerabilities pose serious security challenges for the country. 

For organizations in APAC, Kaspersky shares the tips below to keep safe from these upcoming threats in 2024:

  • Always keep software updated on all the devices you use to prevent attackers from infiltrating your network by exploiting vulnerabilities. 
  • Establish the practice of using strong passwords to access corporate services. Use multi-factor authentication for access to remote services.
  • Choose a proven endpoint security solution such as Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business that is equipped with behavior-based detection and anomaly control capabilities for effective protection against known and unknown threats. 
  • Use a dedicated set for effective endpoint protection, threat detection and response products to timely detect and remediate even new and evasive threats. Kaspersky Optimum Security the essential set of endpoint protection empowered with EDR and MDR.
  • Use the latest Threat Intelligence information to stay aware of actual TTPs used by threat actors.

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Tech & Innovation

Epson launches SureColor-S7130 as latest addition to acclaimed SC S-Series of eco-solvent printers

With the equipment segment expected to capture more than 75% of the market revenue in Asia Pacific’s commercial printing market, where there’s also a growing demand for short-run and on-demand printing, the SC-S7130 aims to meet evolving needs by empowering businesses to operate more competitively and sustainably.

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3 weeks ago

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October 29, 2025

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Epson launched the SureColor-S7130 (SC-S7130), the latest addition to its acclaimed SC S-Series of eco-solvent printers. Designed for print service providers specializing in small-volume production, the SC-S7130 combines enhanced productivity, reliability and print quality in a cost effective solution, making it a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the SC-S40670.

With the equipment segment expected to capture more than 75% of the market revenue in Asia Pacific’s commercial printing market, where there’s also a growing demand for short-run and on-demand printing, the SC-S7130 aims to meet evolving needs by empowering businesses to operate more competitively and sustainably.

Engineered for Productivity and Performance

The SC-S7130 features an upgraded PrecisionCore Micro TFP Printhead, delivering close to a 24% increase in print speed in default mode[1]. Equipped with 3,200 nozzles and a wider printhead than its predecessor, the SC-S7130 achieves expanded print width in one pass—improving throughput across all print modes.

To minimize graininess and banding, the nozzles on the SC-S7130 have been specially redesigned to release smaller M-sized dot and larger L-sized dot for high quality print.

Ease of use is a hallmark of the SC-S7130, which features a 4.3-inch touch display for intuitive operation even when wearing gloves. The SC-S7130 also comes with Epson Edge Print Pro, the latest edition of Epson’s advanced image processing and production software that enhances user convenience and remote management during operations. Further, a new ‘Text Sharpness’ mode in Epson Edge Print Pro enables precise and crisp text printing with the SC-S7130.

Printing made Ultra-Reliable

In addition to a newly designed printhead guard that flattens jammed media to prevent damage to the printhead, the carriage temperature sensor is now mounted closer to the nozzle surface for a more accurate reading. The sensor also detects temperature changes quickly, maintaining consistent color reproduction across jobs.

Equipped with a new Nozzle Verification Technology that monitors nozzle performance in real-time, the SC-S7130 is capable of automatically detecting clogged nozzles and triggering an alert so that businesses can act quickly, ensuring print quality is not compromised across jobs.

The SC-S7130 uses Epson UltraChromeTM GS3 inks in 800ml ink packs, replacing the 700ml ink cartridge found in its predecessor, thereby reducing waste and the frequency of ink replacements. Furthermore, the Epson UltraChromeTM GS3 ink technology is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions and volatile organic compounds, making it safe for long-term indoor use.

A Holistic Solution for Diverse Printing Needs

In addition to delivering exceptional performance and enhanced productivity, the SC-S7130 also integrates seamlessly with Epson Cloud Solution PORT, providing businesses with a holistic solution for managing their printing needs. This intuitive, cloud-based remote monitoring software offers real-time insights into printer fleet performance, usage and efficiency, empowering print service providers to make data-driven decisions.

With Epson Cloud Solution PORT, businesses can also seamlessly integrate large printer fleets, monitor printer status, track ink consumption and access operation history remotely, to ensure optimal performance at all times.

“The SC-S7130 is engineered for a wide range of applications, including outdoor and indoor signage, banners and more. Its versatility and reliability, coupled with its cost-effective ownership, make this printer a valuable addition to any print service provider’s lineup,” said Noelle Gonzalez, Head of Marketing and Customer Service at Epson Philippines Corporation. “The SC-S7130 is a testament to Epson’s dedication to creating innovative solutions that empower businesses to remain competitive while meeting their unique needs.”

[1] Printing speed increased 23.8% in default mode using adhesive vinyl in 600 x 1200dpi, 6-pass.

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Tech & Innovation

Acer launches TravelMate X14 AI business laptop to empower SMBs and hybrid workforces

The lineup includes the Acer TravelMate X14 AI Copilot+ PC and three new additions to the eco-friendly Vero projector series: the Acer Vero XL2320p, Vero XL2521, and Vero SL2520n.

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2 months ago

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September 30, 2025

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Acer announced a suite of commercial products designed to empower the modern workforce. The lineup includes the Acer TravelMate X14 AI Copilot+ PC and three new additions to the eco-friendly Vero projector series: the Acer Vero XL2320p, Vero XL2521, and Vero SL2520n.

“As AI is becoming increasingly important in modern business workflows, small and medium businesses need devices that integrate intelligent tools, robust security, and mobility,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, Acer Inc. “The TravelMate X 14 AI was designed to deliver just that, powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors and Copilot+ PC experiences, offering professionals a lightweight yet durable solution crafted to accelerate productivity and collaboration from anywhere.”

“The Acer TravelMate X14 AI demonstrates what’s possible when advanced hardware and modern processors come together. With powerful performance, enhanced security, and unique AI experiences, it’s an ideal choice for today’s professionals looking to upgrade to a PC that prioritizes portability and performance. Together with Acer, we’re redefining what the modern workforce can expect from their Windows 11 PCs.” — Mark Linton, Vice President, Windows + Devices, Microsoft

TravelMate X4 14 AI: Lightweight, Secure, and AI-Ready to Boost SMBs

Built for small and medium businesses (SMBs) and mobile professionals, the TravelMate X4 14 AI (TMX414-51) is a sleek and secure AI business laptop. It features up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 258V with 115 TOPS[1] of overall performance, up to 32 GB LPDDR5X memory, and up to 1 TB PCIe storage, ensuring smooth multitasking. Running Windows 11 Pro, the laptop supports Copilot+ PC experiences[2], including Recall (preview), Click to Do, improved Windows search, Cocreator in Microsoft Paint, and Live Captions for real-time multilingual translations.

Weighing just 1.27 kg (2.8 lbs) and measuring 15.9 mm (0.63 inches) thin, it is ideal for professionals who travel frequently and work remotely. Built to meet MIL-STD 810H durability standards, it can withstand vibrations, humidity, and extreme temperatures, making it a reliable travel companion. Coupled with its stylish design, the portable AI business laptop can certainly make an impression within any work setup or business meeting.

The 14-inch 16:10 WUXGA display provides ample screen space, with an optional OLED panel with 500 nits peak brightness delivering vibrant colors with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification[3] (hardware solution) to support better eye comfort. Acer PurifiedView 2.0 and Acer PurifiedVoice 2.0 technology, paired with DTS:X Ultra Audio-enhanced speakers, ensure crystal-clear video calls.

This business laptop complies with TCO certification[4] and includes security features to help protect data and on-screen information. Acer UserSensing 2.0 enables the built-in proximity sensor to dim and then lock the screen when the user is away. Lightning-fast Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 keep professionals connected for seamless streaming, lag-free video calls, and fast file transfers, and is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 slot and a Gigabit Ethernet port, offering versatile connectivity options.

Acer Vero Projectors

The Acer Vero XL2320p, Vero XL2521, and Vero SL2520n are mercury-free laser projectors made for sustainable and long-term use. With lifespans up to 30,000 hours and 40% lower power consumption compared to traditional lamp-based models, these projectors help reduce the total cost of ownership while delivering reliable performance. As a short-throw projector, the Vero SL2520n can produce a 100-inch image from just 1.1 meters, making it great for space-constrained environments.

All the projectors share the same high-performance specifications, including up to Full HD resolution1 and 4,000 ANSI lumens brightness, projecting crystal clear images with impressive brightness. They support 360-degree projection, portrait mode, and advanced 2D and 4-corner keystone correction, to adapt flexibly to any space or scenario. ​Their IP6X dustproof rating and 24/7 operation capability ensure performance even for demanding use cases, and their 93% Rec.709 color gamut and 50,000:1 contrast ratio deliver immersive images. Viewing experiences are enhanced with 15W built-in speakers and have dedicated modes tailored for entertainment – football mode for the Vero XL2 Series, and golf mode for the Vero SL2520n. The SL2520n comes with its own Ethernet slots, while all three models possess a pair of HDMI ports for flexible display setups.

Staying true to Acer’s eco-conscious values, all three Vero projectors feature 50% post-consumer recycled plastic in their chassis and 100% recyclable packaging, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability.

Pricing and Availability

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.

[1] Specifications may vary depending on the model and/or region. All models are subject to availability. 

[2] Copilot+ PC experiences vary by device and market and may require updates continuing to roll out through 2025; timing varies. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs 

[3] TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) certified panel only available on the OLED display SKU. 

[4] Acer TCO-certified models are identified with the “TCO” suffix in the model name (ex: XXXXXX-XX-TCO). For more details on Acer TCO-certified products, please see https://tcocertified.com/product-finder/ 

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BizWiz

Always connected, always creating: Chef Ina Bilbao stresses need to stay online to be on point

Whether she’s navigating the bustling food markets of South Korea or live-posting from a Michelin-starred pop-up in Taiwan, Ina’s digital presence is as vibrant as her dishes. In this exclusive feature, she shares how Smart Roaming keeps her seamlessly connected, productive, and worry-free while traveling the world.

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4 months ago

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July 21, 2025

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For culinary content creator and globetrotting chef Ina Bilbao, staying connected isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity.

Whether she’s navigating the bustling food markets of South Korea or live-posting from a Michelin-starred pop-up in Taiwan, Ina’s digital presence is as vibrant as her dishes. In this exclusive feature, she shares how Smart Roaming keeps her seamlessly connected, productive, and worry-free while traveling the world.

For Ina, connectivity is non-negotiable. “Before I head out on any international trip, I make sure I’ve pre-booked a Smart Roaming package,” Ina shares. “It’s always one of the first things I do because I know that as soon as I land, I need to be instantly connected to everything—from maps and apps to staying in touch with my team back home.”

One of the biggest challenges for frequent travelers like Ina is managing data usage without falling into the trap of bill shock. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new place and forget to keep track of data usage,” she says. “A Smart roaming package always helps me make sure I’m not running into any unexpected data charges.”

Smart GigaRoam’s transparent pricing and real-time data usage tracking help Ina stay in control, even in the busiest travel moments.

As a culinary explorer, Ina’s work depends on her ability to stay connected. “I’m always on the lookout for new spots to try, whether it’s a local hidden gem or a pop-up restaurant,” she explains. “I use navigation and transportation apps to get around, access e-wallets to pay for meals, and I’m constantly updating my social media for my followers.”

With Smart Roaming, Ina never misses a beat—or a bite.

Ina’s top tip for business owners and frequent flyers? “Never leave your connectivity to chance. Pre-book a Smart Roaming package so that the moment you land, you’re already online. Connectivity is the backbone of staying productive while traveling.”

She also recommends being mindful of data-heavy apps and checking usage regularly through the GigaRoam portal.

Having tried other roaming services in the past, Ina is confident in her choice. “Nothing beats the convenience and peace of mind that comes with Smart Roaming. The packages are affordable, and I never have to worry about my service dropping or getting hit with crazy bills.”

And if issues arise? “Smart Roaming’s customer support is always quick to respond. I can troubleshoot through the GigaRoam portal or check my phone settings to resolve things fast.”

For Ina, staying connected means more than just convenience—it’s about sharing her culinary journey in real time.

Chef Ina Bilbao’s recipe for stress-free travel? A dash of planning, a sprinkle of tech-savvy, and a generous helping of Smart Roaming. Whether you’re a business traveler, content creator, or simply someone who values staying connected, her story is a reminder that with the right tools, the world is truly at your fingertips.

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