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

BRansomware, 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 cryptovirology attack, and demands a ransom to decrypt it or not publish it.

Last year saw a boom in ransomware, 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 83pc of USBs had been affected by viruses last year, the same as in 2015.

Around 16 million computers were affected by viruses through USBs.

Last year 50pc 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.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2017