Computer viruses caused losses of VND10.4 trillion (US$470 million) in 2016, surpassing the VND8.7 trillion the year before, according to the latest report from the BKAV Technology Group.

Ransomware, viruses spreading through USB, spam messages and cyber attacks were major problems last year, the report said.

Ransomware is computer malware that installs covertly on a victim’s computer, executes a crytovirology attack, and demands a ransom to decrypt it or not publish it.

Last year saw a boom in ransomeware, with 16 per cent of emails having ransomware, 20 times the 2015 figure.

Viruses spreading through USBs continued to grow in 2016 despite the efforts of Microsoft to cut the “auto run” function. Around 83 per cent of USBs had been effected by viruses last year, the same as in 2015.

Around 16 million computers were affected by viruses through USBs.

Last year 50 per cent of users persisted with their habit of opening file attachments in emails, the same as the year before.

In the report, BKAV appreciated the efforts of Facebook and mobile phone service providers to restrict spam messages.

An advanced persistent threat (APT), a network attack in which an unauthorised person gains access to a network and stays there undetected for a long period of time, was another threat, one that successfully attacked Vietnam Airlines in July.

The threat has been recorded since 2012, with BKAV discovering many APTs turning up on the systems of businesses and other organisations after malware was sent by hackers.

BKAV predicted that in 2017 there would be more APT attacks on businesses and organisations.

Malware would increase in mobile phones and the Internet of Things like router wifi and camera and IP. — VNS