Bangkok – AIS, Thailand’s leading telecommunications provider, has unveiled the results of its “Thailand Cyber Wellness Index 2024” study, which reveals a concerning trend: over half of Thais lack knowledge and understanding of cybersecurity.
- – Jabra Revolutionizes Intelligent Meetings with AI at InfoComm Asia 2024
- – PDPC organized the PDPA 2024 International Conference
The study indicates that many Thais lack basic cybersecurity knowledge, such as creating strong passwords, avoiding financial transactions on public Wi-Fi, and not recognizing HTTPS as a sign of a secure website.
To address this issue, AIS has launched a new tool called “Digital Health Check,” which assesses individual digital skills and recommends appropriate learning channels. This empowers Thais to enhance their cybersecurity skills and knowledge independently.
“We are working on both promoting digital literacy and developing tools for protection. Today, we have developed the ‘Digital Health Check’ tool to help Thais analyze and assess their digital skills, while also recommending suitable learning channels for each individual. This aims to enhance cybersecurity skills and knowledge for our customers and all Thais,” Ms. Saichon said.
Use AIS Secure Net Free for 12 Months
Additionally, AIS has enhanced its AIS Secure Net service, which protects against cyber threats. AIS customers can use this service for free for 12 months. There is also the Secure Net+ Protected by MSIG service, which adds cyber insurance coverage for 39 baht per month.
“AIS remains committed to enhancing the digital skills of Thais. We will continue to develop tools to enable safe internet usage, and support the government in addressing cyber threats from fraudsters. This includes identity verification measures, signal control at border areas, and engineering team support for the police. All of this aligns with AIS’s mission to eradicate cyber threats from Thailand sustainably,” Ms. Saichon concluded.
Professor Wisit Wisitsora-At, Permanent secretary of the ministry of digital economy and society, emphasized the importance of having accurate and up-to-date information for effective decision-making. He commended AIS for initiating the development of the Thailand Cyber Wellness Index, which aligns with the Ministry’s policy of integrating data from the private sector for improved analysis and decision-making.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the importance of measurement and adaptation, especially in the digital world where technologies and threats change rapidly. Having such an index allows for close monitoring and assessment of the situation, leading to improvements and development of relevant policies and measures.
Furthermore, he mentioned the collaboration between the public and private sectors in creating platforms and tools to address cyber threats. He cited the Thai Cyber Wellness Index platform and the Digital Volunteer application as examples that empower citizens to report and manage inappropriate online content effectively.
Finally, the Permanent Secretary stressed the importance of cooperation from all sectors in creating a safe digital society.He particularly emphasized the role of citizens in reporting and addressing various threats, which will enable Thailand to achieve a secure and sustainable digital society.
Air Vice Marshal Amorn Chomchoey, Secretary General, The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), spoke about the importance of public-private partnerships in establishing cybersecurity. The NCSA focuses on safeguarding the country’s critical infrastructure and promoting safe internet usage for citizens.
The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of establishing good Cyber Wellness, especially in an era where Thais spend significant time online. Assessment and measurement of various aspects, along with providing knowledge and building necessary skills to address cyber threats, are crucial.
The NCSA has collaborated with AIS and other agencies to address issues such as blocking inappropriate websites,managing fraudulent applications, and educating the public about avoiding cyber threats. Additionally, mechanisms for rapid alert and response to threats have been developed.
Finally, the Secretary-General stressed the importance of establishing good Cyber Wellness to enable Thais to live safely online, avoid scams, and manage their time and finances appropriately. This will contribute to building a secure and sustainable digital society in Thailand.
Online Crime Statistics Soar! Thais Scammed Over 600,000 Times, Losing a Total of Over 69 Billion Baht
Pol. Lt. Gen. Chatpandakarn Klaiklueng, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division 1, revealed data from the Royal Thai Police’s online complaint center. From March 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024, there were 612,603 online crime reports, with total damages amounting to 69,186,829,589 baht.
The most common crime was fraud related to buying or selling goods and services, with 296,042 victims (48.33% of all cases) and total damages exceeding 4.5 billion baht. The second most common crime was fraud related to money transfers for work, with 82,162 victims (13.41%) and damages exceeding 10 billion baht.
The primary channel for reporting crimes was the ThaiPoliceOnline.go.th website, with 324,166 cases (52.91%). This was followed by walk-in reports at police stations (134,185 cases, 21.9%) and the 1441 hotline (154,252 cases, 25.19%).
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatpandakarn added that the police have frozen 463,399 bank accounts related to online crimes,amounting to 39,754,813,149 baht. They were also able to freeze 7,428,020,982 baht of victims’ funds in a timely manner.
These statistics show that online crime remains a major problem causing significant damage to many people. The public is urged to be more cautious when conducting online transactions. If victimized, they can report the crime through various channels, including the website, hotline, or their nearest police station.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatpandakarn also offered a crucial tip for avoiding scams: “When unsure if it’s a scam, hang up and try calling back. Scam numbers cannot be called back.” This simple step can prevent falling victim to fraudsters.
Ms. Saichon added, “Today, AIS announces the results of the Thailand Cyber Wellness Index 2024, which measures the digital well-being of Thais. We surveyed and collected data from over 50,000 Thais nationwide. We found that most Thais are at a basic level of digital well-being, especially in terms of cybersecurity, with an average score of only 0.61 out of 1.”
“High-risk groups include children, youth, and the elderly, who urgently need to be supported and have their digital skills developed. This is particularly true for Cyber Security, which is a national agenda that everyone must be aware of and prioritize.”
#AIS #Cybersecurity #DigitalHealthCheck #ThailandCyberWellnessIndex
