Kaspersky advises Filipinos to scan USBs for local threats after 36.80% were attacked from January to December 2023.
Malware is commonly spread through removable media like flash drives, CDs, DVDs, and other offline methods. Worms and file viruses are the most frequent threats.
The Philippines ranks third in Southeast Asia, with the most people being attacked by local online threats, according to the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN). Globally, the country ranked 76th in Kaspersky’s KSN report in 2023, higher than last year at 72nd.
The top ten most attacked countries in 2023 are from Central Asia, Africa, and South Asia.
“Attackers are finding ways to get to your devices, like with the use of these seemingly plain removable media, which we could prevent with proper USB hygiene,” said Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.
According to Kaspersky, secure USB drive manufacturers follow the FIPS 140 certification standard involving a cryptographic security disclosure and validation process. But some encrypted USB drives pass certification and are still vulnerable to attacks—sometimes even the easy ones.
The danger levels of USBs are currently classified into three (3) categories:
- Serendipitous: Open to an opportunistic attacker with minimal resources—at this level, you find a person who may have found or stolen a drive and is eager to get their hands on the information it possibly contains.
- Professional: Available to attackers with resources, albeit limited ones. Mostly, attackers at this level are interested in gathering large amounts of information and
- State-sponsored: Requires attackers with plenty of resources. Usually, attackers are after specific data and keys worth a significant investment.
Below are some helpful tips from Kaspersky experts to keep your USB sticks clean and your computers safe:
Configure your OS to avoid running anything from USBs
If an attacker leaves an infected USB card in your office and you pick one up and plug it into your computer, you must ensure your antivirus software is set up to prevent the opening and running of any infected files. If you’re using Kaspersky Premium, the software will automatically scan your USB stick when you plug it in. After scanning, it will give you the option to repair or alert you if a threat is detected.
Update your OS
When your OS offers you a patch update, download it. Patches are released to improve upon imperfections and vulnerabilities within your software, and keeping up with the latest versions could make you susceptible to viruses. In the case of USB malware, ensure your OS is patched against AutoRun exploits so your system does not automatically run anything from your removable devices.
Don’t copy executable files
Executable files can cause your computer to perform tasks assigned by encoded instructions. You can imagine the danger of copying this type of file from an unknown source, so it’s best to avoid doing so altogether. We recommend downloading all software directly from official, trusted sites only.
Keep your drives separate
On top of ensuring you’re only using USB drives given to you by trusted sources, you should also ensure that you aren’t using them to mix business with pleasure. It’s safest to keep your work and personal information separate, especially if your USB sticks are being used by multiple people in your home or office.
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