TECHNOLOGY
Every 2 in 3 Southeast Asia businesses are ransomware victims, Kaspersky study finds
August 16, 2022 5:39 p.m.
Ever since the infamous Wannacry attack, ransomware has become something of a buzzword within the corporate world, with large attacks on enterprises appearing in headlines month after month.
Businesses in Southeast Asia (SEA) are well within the radar of these cybercriminals with three in five (67%) confirming that they have been victims, according to the latest research by Kaspersky.
Global cybersecurity company, Kaspersky, surveyed 900 respondents across North America, South America, Africa, Russia, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, 100 of which were from SEA. Conducted in April 2022, the research titled “How business executives perceive ransomware threat” gathered the answers from those in senior non-IT management (such as CEOs, VP, and Director level) and business owners or partners at companies with 50-1000 employees.
Half of those (34%) who have admitted having their data maliciously encrypted by cybercriminals experienced ransomware attacks not once but several times. The remaining respondents (33%) said they have experienced such incidents one-time only.
The most common denominator among ransomware victims in the region is that almost all paid the ransom (82.1%). In fact, 47.8% of the surveyed executives confessed that they paid the ransom as soon as possible for immediate access to their business data, two digits higher than the global average of 38.1%.
Almost a quarter (23.9%) did try to get their data back through back-ups or decryption but failed and paid ransom within two days while 10.4% took a week of effort before paying up.
When the ransomware victims were asked of the steps they will conduct should they face the same incident, majority (77%) of the business leaders in SEA confirmed that they will still pay the ransom showing a worrying tendency for companies that have already been a victim of ransomware to pay up, encouraging cybercriminals to continue their attacks.
“It is concerning to see that only 17.9% of businesses here in SEA victimized by ransomware did not budge on the cybercriminals’ demands. We stand firm that paying the ransom should not be a knee jerk reaction for enterprises. But, with more than half (67%) of those we surveyed admitting that their organizations would not survive without business data if attacked, we understand the urgency and the desperation to get their data back as soon as possible, by all means,” comments Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.
Kaspersky’s study also revealed a key puzzle piece – that the majority (94%) of enterprises in SEA will seek external help if attacked by ransomware. This is a tad higher than the global rate at 89.9%.
Almost a quarter (20%) of which will contact the law enforcement, while 29% will reach out to a third party cybersecurity incident investigation and response service provider like Kaspersky. The remaining percent will contact both of these external organizations to know how to respond to a ransomware attack.
“With only 5% of enterprise leaders confirming that they have internal incident response capabilities or they have the regular IT team or service provider to figure out a ransomware attack, it is clear that our enterprises here in SEA need help. We advocate for cross-border and public-and-private cooperation that will help governments and companies to combat threats like ransomware. However, such is not the only answer. Enterprises here should really look into acting on concrete steps to upskill or even to build their own security defense team with intelligence-led incident detection and response capabilities,” adds Yeo.
Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky co-founded the global project called “No More Ransom Initiative” which has grown from four partners to 188 and has contributed 136 decryption tools covering 165 ransomware families.
Since its launch in 2016, it has helped more than 1.5 million people decrypt their devices all over the world. Nearly 30,000 ransomware victims from July last year to June end of 2022 in SEA were also able to retrieve their data through this project.
The project is done by Kaspersky along with the National High Tech Crime Unit of the Dutch National Police, Europol’s European Cybercrime Center, and other partners.
Kaspersky, however, puts emphasis on preventing a ransomware attack. The global cybersecurity company encourages businesses to follow these simple and effective recommendations to help protect their organizations against this threat:
- Always keep up-to-date copies of your files so you can replace them in case they are lost (e.g. due to malware or a broken device). These should be stored not only on a physical device but also in cloud storage for greater reliability. Make sure you can quickly access your backups in the event of an emergency.
- Install all security updates as soon as they become available. Always update your operating system and software to eliminate recent vulnerabilities.
- Provide security education to your staff. Explain that by following simple rules, employees can help prevent ransomware incidents. Check out dedicated training courses, such as the ones provided in the Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform.
- Enable ransomware protection for all endpoints. There is a free Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business that shields computers and servers from ransomware and other types of malware, prevents exploits and is compatible with already installed security solutions.
- Enterprise companies are recommended to use anti-APT and EDR solutions, enabling capabilities for advanced threat discovery and detection, investigation and timely remediation of incidents, as well as to have access to the latest threat intelligence. An MDR provider could help to effectively hunt any advanced ransomware attack. All of the above is available within Kaspersky Expert Security.
If you become a victim, never pay the ransom. It won’t guarantee you get your data back but will encourage criminals to continue their business. Instead, report the incident to your local law enforcement agency and get help from incident response experts such as Kaspersky.
Companies can also try to find a decryptor on the internet – some of these are available at https://www.nomoreransom.org/en/index.html
TECHNOLOGY
One charge, endless power: realme teases C100 Series with up to 8000mAh Titan Battery
11:22 a.m. June 8, 2026
realme Philippines is gearing up for the launch of the realme C100 Series on June 18, and ahead of the big reveal, the brand is giving a first look at what the lineup is all about.
Anchored on the tagline “One Charge, Endless Power,” the C100 Series is built around two things Filipinos consistently look for in a smartphone: a battery that goes the distance and a build that holds up over time.
The realme C100 comes equipped with an 8000mAh Titan Battery, while the realme C100i carries a 7000mAh cell. Both are designed to deliver up to 1.5 days of use on a single charge, but what stands out is their long-term battery health – the realme C100 is rated to retain at least 80% capacity after 7 years of daily use, and the C100i after 6 years. The brand attributes this to its highly efficient energy consumption technology, which reduces battery wear over time without compromising on performance.
On the durability front, both models come with realme’s ArmorShell™ Protection and have been certified under the MIL-STD-810H military-grade shock resistance standard, with a verified drop resistance of up to 2 meters. The realme C100 takes protection further with IP69 Pro rating, making it resistant to dust, submersion, and even high-pressure water jets. The realme C100i is rated IP64, covering everyday splashes and dust exposure.
The Series also comes in a range of colorways. The realme C100 will be available in Glory White, Endurance Brown, and Victory Purple, all featuring realme’s Blooming Design, a shimmer finish crafted with micron-level sculpting that shifts with light. Meanwhile, the realme C100i comes in Dawn Purple and Dusk Gray.
The realme C100 Series will be officially unveiled on June 18 via a livestream on realme’s official Facebook page. Pricing and full details will be announced on launch day.
For more updates on the realme C100 Series, follow realme’s official Facebook page.
TECHNOLOGY
POCO Pad C1 arrives in PH, bringing big-screen entertainment wherever you go
9:21 a.m. June 3, 2026
POCO has officially introduced the POCO Pad C1 in the Philippines, expanding its ecosystem with a new tablet built for entertainment, productivity, and everyday use on the go.
Designed for users who want a larger screen experience without sacrificing portability, the POCO Pad C1 features a vibrant 2K display, a slim and lightweight design, a long-lasting battery, and the Snapdragon® 6s 4G Gen 2 Mobile Platform for smooth and reliable performance whether streaming, studying, browsing, or staying connected throughout the day.
Immersive Viewing in a Portable Design
The POCO Pad C1 features a superior 9.7-inch display¹ with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz,² delivering clear and smooth visuals for effortless entertainment. Reaching up to 600 nits of peak brightness,³ it also ensures consistent clarity for streaming and browsing, even in bright environments. Triple TÜV Rheinland eye-care certifications further help reduce eye strain, supporting more comfortable viewing throughout the day.
Beyond its impressive display, POCO Pad C1 is designed for both portability and durability. The slim metal unibody⁴ construction gives it a clean, refined look while delivering a comfortable in-hand feel for everyday use. For day-to-day durability, the device has undergone more than 40 rigorous quality tests,³ ensuring it can withstand everyday challenges with ease.
Long-Lasting Power for Uninterrupted Entertainment
POCO Pad C1 houses a massive 7,600mAh (typ) battery, offering up to 1.7 days of use to support entertainment, study, and everyday tasks.⁵ For uninterrupted enjoyment, POCO Pad C1 supports 18W fast charging,⁶ helping users spend less time waiting and more time staying immersed in what they love. Furthermore, POCO Pad C1 also boasts 10W reverse charging capability,⁷ making it a reliable and portable power bank.
Reliable Performance and Seamless User Experience
POCO Pad C1 is well-equipped with both hardware and software to meet the demands of everyday use. Fitted with the Snapdragon® 6s 4G Gen 2 Mobile Platform, POCO Pad C1 delivers reliable performance for daily entertainment and multitasking. It is available in configurations of up to 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage for smooth app launching and responsive performance.⁸ For users who need more storage, the device also supports up to 2TB of expandable storage,⁹ making it easy to store your favorite media content.
Running on Xiaomi HyperOS 3,¹⁰ POCO Pad C1 ensures seamless cross-device interactions through Xiaomi Interconnectivity.¹¹ Intelligent features such as Google Gemini¹² and Circle to Search with Google¹³ enable faster access to information and smarter everyday interactions. The lock screen, wallpaper, and desktop widgets are designed with a clean and refined look to deliver a better user experience.
Product Availability
The POCO Pad C1 will be available starting June 1, 2026, with special early bird offers until June 15. The 4GB + 64GB variant will retail for Php 8,499 (from Php 8,999), while the Shopee-exclusive 6GB + 128GB variant will be available for Php 9,999 (from Php 10,999).
TECHNOLOGY
Infinix GT 50 Pro: Where no lag, no heat, pure cool, and pure speed meet
6:40 p.m. May 29, 2026
Mobile gaming continuously pushes modern smartphones to their absolute limits. Extended gaming sessions and intense matches often lead to heavy overheating, causing frustrating frame drops and performance throttling that can disrupt the entire experience. For casual players, it interrupts moments of fun; for competitive eSports athletes, even a millisecond of lag can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Designed to eliminate these exact challenges, Infinix is set to launch its next-generation esports flagship: the Infinix GT 50 Pro.
Active HydroFlow Liquid Cooling: A Hardware Breakthrough
At the core of the Infinix GT 50 Pro is the proprietary HydroFlow Liquid Cooling system—an industry-first thermal management innovation that goes far beyond traditional passive cooling methods. Equipped with a dual-piezoelectric ceramic pump, the system actively circulates coolant through laser-engraved channels to rapidly dissipate heat away from critical internal components like the processor and battery.
The architecture’s large cooling layer is built directly with the main heat sink to fully cover 100% of the hottest core components, allowing users to enjoy smoother, more consistent gaming performance for longer periods. By minimizing thermal buildup directly at the source, the GT 50 Pro effectively prevents performance throttling and stabilizes FPS (Frames Per Second), ensuring gamers stay locked into the action during high-stakes moments.
During long, high-load gaming sessions, active cooling keeps temperatures stable by efficiently spreading and channeling heat away from critical areas, reducing processor throttling. This ensures consistently smooth performance, enabling native 144FPS support with stable high frame rates and minimal frame drops or stutter.
HydroFlow Liquid Cooling offers three selectable modes to match different usage needs. Smart Mode automatically adjusts and switches to the optimal flow velocity depending on the scenario for balanced performance and efficiency. Normal Mode runs at a lower flow velocity for everyday use with standard heat dissipation. Rapid Mode increases flow velocity for stronger heat dissipation, ideal for heavier workloads and more intense gaming sessions.
For gamers looking to push performance even further, the device seamlessly pairs with the GT Magcharge Cooler 2.0. This external cooling and charging accessory utilizes wireless bypass charging—directing power straight into the phone’s system rather than constantly cycling through the battery. Together, the GT 50 Pro and Magcharge Cooler deliver a comprehensive dual-cooling ecosystem built to withstand the most intense competitive matches.
Largest-Ever 3D Vapor Chamber in GT History
The GT 50 Pro packs the largest 3D Vapor Chamber ever in GT history, built to keep gameplay smooth even during long, intense gaming sessions. Think of it as a powerful cooling system inside the phone that helps pull heat away fast, so players can stay focused on winning instead of dealing with lag, overheating, or sudden frame drops.
With a massive 7,700mm² 3D Vapor Chamber and a total cooling area of 32,700mm², which is 63.5% bigger than the previous generation, the GT 50 Pro is designed to stay cool under pressure whether you’re grinding ranked matches, streaming, or multitasking for hours. Combined with ultra-large graphite cooling layers, the device delivers more stable performance so gamers can enjoy consistently smooth gameplay from start to finish.
The Trusted Choice of E-sports Pros
Engineered from the ground up for high-tier competitive play, the Infinix GT 50 Pro has earned its spot as the official gaming phone of MPL PH (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines). Chosen and trusted by the league’s top professional players, the GT 50 Pro provides the flawless stability, thermals, and sustained frame rates required to
The GT 50 Pro officially launches on June 10, but fans can already enjoy exclusive early deals ahead of the release.
Starting May 29 until June 10, the Infinix GT 50 Pro will be available for nationwide offline pre-sale. Customers who reserve early can unlock up to ₱11,999 worth of exclusive freebies and discounts. To secure a unit, simply visit any official Infinix concept store or kiosk and lock in your reservation today.
To learn more, visit Infinix’s official Facebook page, TikTok Shop, and website.
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