To be or not to be phished

To be or not to be phished

Can the number of people falling for phishing attacks in Vietnam be reduced if the younger generation can become more tech-savvy? A range of cyber safety games and activities organised by RMIT Vietnam can lend a hand to address this burning question.

Initiated by RMIT Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) in collaboration with Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CCSRI), the gamification workshop series provides students with opportunities to practice simple personal cyber safety such as using strong passwords or avoiding unsecure public wi-fi networks.

The shift to online working, education and entertainment caused by pandemic restrictions means that many more young people around the world are exposed to higher phishing risks, said CODE Digital Outreach and Engagement Manager Huynh Thuc Yen.

“‘Phishing’ describes how online hackers pretend to be a legitimate individual or organisation in order to capture confidential personal data like passwords or bank account details,” Ms Yen explained.

“Hackers can then use these data for criminal activities like identity theft or financial fraud.”

According to the global cyber security company Kaspersky, Vietnam is among the top targets for phishing in Southeast Asia. There were 1,383 cyberattacks recorded across Vietnam in the first month of 2022, an increase of over 10% on December 2021 (Vietnam National Cyber Security Centre - NCSC).

Fraudulently stealing personal information and impersonating financial institutions are the most prominent forms of phishing. The biggest hurdle is that many users still have limited digital and information security skills, so they can be easily deceived.

Ms Yen added, “the ESET Vietnam Cyber-Savviness Report indicated that the 18-24 age group in Vietnam is most likely to engage in risky behaviour online as compared to other age groups”. 

news-1-to-be-or-not-to-be-phished RMIT Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) in collaboration with Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CCSRI) initiated a gamification workshop series to provide students opportunities to practice simple personal cyber safety such as using strong passwords or avoiding unsecure public wi-fi networks.

Using a game format, CODE has delivered five cyber safety workshops – online and face-to-face – to four high schools across Vietnam since May 2022.

Ms Yen explained why CODE chooses gamification as the main mean of delivery: “Games are often more engaging, since they can enhance learners’ focus and interest. Cyber security awareness and behaviour can be shifted more easily naturally through games, than through theory and concept.”

As part of its effort in promoting internet security awareness among companies and students in collaboration with the leading Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA), CCSRI Hub in Vietnam is an RMIT-based research centre in multi-disciplinary cyber security which provides expert advice in cyber security threat development and introduces cyber safety games to wider audiences including students, businesses, and other security professionals.

Hub Lead of CCSRI in Vietnam Dr Pham Cong Hiep said that CCSRI aims to be acknowledged by Australian and overseas industry and government as a leading source of knowledge and expertise in multi-disciplinary Cyber Security research.

The workshops have been praised and appreciated by participants. 

news-2-to-be-or-not-to-be-phished Using a game format, CODE has delivered five cyber safety workshops – online and face-to-face – to four high schools across Vietnam since May 2022 and has received much positive feedback from participants.

Dang Thanh Tien, Duc Tri high school’s student, said that he learnt how important a good password is and how to protect his passwords properly through CODE’s fun and engaging workshop.

“The games are very informative. I love this kind of constructive learning activity and can’t stop playing it,” Tien enthusiastically shared.

“The games are not only fun, but also provide significant knowledge for users to distinguish sophisticated fraud methods through advertising.

“Thanks to the workshop, I learned that a lot of people lose their information and have to pay to recover them.”

Participants of CODE’s first workshops, like Tien, took home essential and useful cyber safety tips, and got ready for an increasingly virtual world.

CODE aims to introduce these activities to more high school students in the coming new school year to support the IT subject in MOET's new curriculum and raise cyber security awareness among young users further. For collaboration, please reach out to CODE at code@rmit.edu.vn.

Story: Ha Hoang

05 July 2022

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