

Information security on smart devices is a global critical matter as there are more and more people using these devices for their daily operations. In Vietnam, as citizens are gradually accustomed to using smart devices for online shopping, distance working and learning, online public services, the identification and prevention of cyber-attacks from these devices have become a top priority these days.
Illegal collection or stealing personal data on the Internet, especially on social networks, in Vietnam has become so thorny lately. One critical matter in Vietnam at present is to ensure the security and safety of its Population Database, which is developed by the Public Security Ministry and is fully exploited by various ministries and state agencies for socio-economic growth.
Even though cryptocurrencies are not legally recognized in Vietnam, they have gradually become popular due to unlawful trading via specific platforms. As their value is quite high, lately, there have been infamous cyber-attacks or scams aiming at appropriating cryptocurrencies.
The Criminal Police Department (C02 – under the Public Security Ministry) yesterday released a warning that citizens not let their citizen ID card, bank account borrowed, rented, bought, or pictured by strangers without a valid purpose.
The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) under the Authority of Information Security (AIS – Ministry of Information and Communications) reported a total of nearly 1,400 cyber-attacks in January alone (an increase of 10.29 percent compared to last December). This alarming figure has forced information administrators of organizations as well as each Internet user in Vietnam to use proper tools to strengthen their cyber security.
A member of Raidforums nicknamed seasalt123 has lately posted a user database supposedly belonging to Breport.vn of Bkav. The database contains sensitive information like user IDs and emails, full names and phone numbers.
As Covid-19 pandemic is becoming more complicated and people increasingly switching to online activities, information safety has been more critical than ever. Citizens are warned to be exceptionally careful with online transactions to avoid scams and money stealing.
The Department of Cyber Security and Hi-tech Crime Prevention, Ministry of Public Security (A05) yesterday announced the result of its fight against a group of people illegally selling confidential digital data of Vietnamese people.
An account named Ox1337xO, created on RaidForums in May 2021, announced a sale of a 17GB data package on May 13. This package is supposed to include details of citizen ID cards of many Vietnamese people. The post was then deleted, but was still stored in the cache of Google search engine, and has raised serious concern over information safety.
The Ministry of Public Security yesterday formally published a warning about cybersecurity during the upcoming 13th National Party Congress.
Never has the issue of security for sensitive information received such a focus as it is now. Witnessing a series of confidential information leak lately, Internet users all over the world, including Vietnam, hope to have a safer approach using advanced technologies in order to discourage even expert hackers.
Certain attacks on the Internet such as spam, phishing, scam comments on social networks, look quite simple; yet they are wrecking a havoc for both the community and businesses in Vietnam.
Just like other countries in the modern world, Vietnam is significantly affected by complicated and rapid changes of cyber security. These changes have posed risks and challenges to each individual, organization, and company. They even issue dire threats to national security.