Kuala Lumpur:The public must improve their digital literacy as the first line of defence against increasingly complex cyber threats, including online scams, the spread of malware, and the misuse of artificial intelligence technology, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. She emphasized the importance of public awareness and the ability to identify digital threats, noting that the government or authorities cannot screen every message sent through communication applications such as WhatsApp.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teo highlighted that technological advancements have created opportunities for cybercriminals to employ various new methods to deceive users, such as spreading malware through files that appear to be sent by acquaintances. She cited an example where malware is distributed via ZIP files received through WhatsApp, which when opened, could lead to data theft and potential hacking of the user's account.

Teo, who is also the Kulai Member of Parliament, pointed out the major challenges in curbing cybercrime, as the government cannot rely solely on monitoring or enforcement mechanisms. She mentioned that based on online scam complaint statistics, e-commerce scams have the highest number of complaints, while investment scams result in the greatest financial losses for victims.

She urged users to remain vigilant against suspicious content or links and to make it a habit to verify the authenticity of information before believing or sharing it with others. Furthermore, Teo called on companies and organizations to take cybersecurity seriously by conducting regular security audits, especially when upgrading systems or adopting new technologies.

Teo noted that national cybersecurity matters fall under the responsibility of the National Cyber Security Agency, while the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is always ready to provide assistance and technical support when needed.