In a startling revelation, cybersecurity giant Kaspersky has reported nearly **50 million offline malware attacks** targeting businesses in Southeast Asia throughout 2024. This marks a **15% surge** compared to the previous year, emphasizing the rising threat in a tech-dependent landscape.

The culprit? A wave of attacks using **offline vectors** like USB drives and external hard disks, proving that cyber threats aren't just a product of the internet. Kaspersky warns that many organizations are neglecting these physical attack vectors, focusing their defenses largely on online threats.

The Danger Lurking in Your USB Drive!

Attackers are cleverly leveraging the **trust** users place in physical devices, using them to inject dangerous malware into systems that are otherwise secure from online infiltration. General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky, Yeo Siang Tiong, shared a chilling case: researchers discovered a government-issued secure USB drive compromised with malicious code designed to **steal files** and propagate itself to other drives. This incident underscores just how sophisticated and widespread these threats have become.

Southeast Asia’s Troubling Statistics

Throughout 2024, an astonishing **49,234,759 local threats** were thwarted across Southeast Asia, indicating a significant escalation from almost **43 million** offline attacks reported in 2023. Notable increases in attack incidents were particularly evident in Singapore, which witnessed an **88% rise**, while Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines followed with increases ranging from **16% to 47%**. Indonesia, however, was an anomaly with a slight **3% decrease**.

Why Vigilance is Key!

Yeo cautioned that offline malware attacks are not just growing in number, but also in intricacy. "Real-life incidents have shown that seemingly harmless USBs can unleash widespread infections across organizations. As these threats evolve, vigilance is paramount. Businesses must adopt a **proactive approach** to cybersecurity, armed with knowledge and robust defenses to combat this pressing danger."

Steps to Fortify Your Cybersecurity