A large number of personal data and corporate documents in Vietnam were put on sale on multiple online platforms in 2024, with losses estimated at US$11 million. 

Viettel Cyber Security, a unit of military-run telecom group Viettel, on Tuesday released a report on cybersecurity risks in Vietnam in 2024.

The report indicated a significant increase in cyberattacks, data breaches, and security vulnerabilities across the Southeast Asian country.

Specifically, the volume of encrypted data reached an alarming 10 terabytes, contributing to the estimated financial damage. 

These attacks not only involved encrypting valuable data, but also stole critical information, amplifying the pressure for ransom demands.

In 2024, 14.5 million accounts were exposed, representing 12 percent of the global total. 

This breach led to the widespread sale of personal data and corporate documents across numerous online platforms. 

Financial fraud and brand impersonation schemes also became more complex last year. 

Although the number of recorded phishing domains fell about 30 percent compared to 2023, the number of fake websites using unauthorized branding surged threefold, reaching nearly 1,200 sites.

Cybercriminals increasingly used AI technologies to generate large volumes of phishing emails and fake websites. 

The financial and banking sector continued to be the primary target, suffering 71 percent of all cyberattacks. 

Additionally, the number of denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks also soared, with over 924,000 attacks recorded, a 34-percent year-on-year rise. 

Notably, some attacks surpassed one terabit per second (Tbps), targeting financial institutions, public agencies, and tech companies, causing severe disruptions to their operational systems.

Besides, the report showed the discovery of nearly 40,000 new security vulnerabilities, a 46-percent year-on-year increase.

Among these, 47 percent were classified as high or critical vulnerabilities, primarily affecting popular products and services such as VPN systems, web servers, and administrative software.

Vietnamese organizations faced several risks from unpatched vulnerabilities, with 143 critical flaws, according to the report.

Financial, energy, and tech sectors were particularly vulnerable, with their key systems often being exploited by cybercriminals.

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