Dutch servers used in cyberattacks on Phl institutions — Kaspersky

Global cybersecurity and digital privacy firm Kaspersky finds that servers in the Netherlands are frequently used by cybercriminals to attack institutions and web users in the Philippines.

Recent data from Kaspersky Security Network revealed that the Philippines recorded 17.7 million local threat incidents in 2024, affecting 36.8 percent of users.

While this marks a decline from 2023, the international technology firm disclosed that cybercriminals are now leveraging foreign servers to launch more sophisticated attacks.

“The Netherlands (39.52%), the United States (26.15%), Germany (2.71%), France (2.61%), and Russia (1.74%) were the top sources of cyber threats targeting the country,” it said.

Stronger Collaboration

With cyber threats in the Philippines on the rise, Kaspersky said they are calling for stronger collaboration between public and private sectors to protect individuals and organizations from evolving digital risks.

Adrian Hia, Kaspersky’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, emphasized that as cyber risks escalate, a stronger public-private partnership is crucial for safeguarding the country’s digital landscape through collaboration, threat intelligence sharing, and advanced security frameworks.

“Cybercriminals are constantly adapting, making cybersecurity a continuous effort. Businesses, government agencies, and individuals must remain proactive in strengthening their defenses,” said Hia.

In its latest report, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) logged a sharp rise in cybercrime complaints, reaching 10,004 in 2024, or three times higher than the 3,317 cases recorded in 2023.

Further, the agency also revealed that these incidents resulted in P198 million in losses.

As part of its commitment to strengthening the Philippines’ cyber resilience, Hia said Kaspersky has been actively working with various stakeholders in the Philippines.

Last year, the company conducted the Kids Cyber-resilience Workshop in Manila, an initiative designed to educate children on online safety and responsible digital behavior.

The program, along with other cybersecurity awareness campaigns, demonstrates Kaspersky’s continuous efforts to build a safer digital environment for Filipinos. Kaspersky also underscores the need for a multi-layered approach to strengthen the country’s cyber resilience.

“By combining endpoint protection, real-time threat intelligence, and proactive detection, organizations and individuals can safeguard against both local malware infections and attacks from global cybercriminal networks,” Hia said.

To further enhance cybersecurity, Kaspersky recommends that individuals scan their USBs and external drives regularly to keep them malware-free, avoid plugging in unknown storage devices to their personal or work computers, use security to block threats, and choose a cybersecurity solution that protects them from phishing, malware, and ransomware in real-time.

For organizations, Kaspersky said they must establish clear rules on USB and external device usage to minimize security risks; protect business devices with cutting-edge cybersecurity; stay ahead of evolving threats with insights; keep software and systems updated to close security gaps; and strengthen protection with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.