MCI's response to PQ on Update on Strategies to Increase Public Uptake of Anti Virus Apps

Parliament Sitting on 7 May 2024

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

38. Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Communications and Information how does the Cyber Security Agency intend to increase the public uptake in installing anti-virus apps on their personal devices to decrease the chances of such devices being infected by malware.

Answer:

Cybersecurity apps, which include anti-virus apps, help to protect mobile devices against malware and phishing attacks. The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) has been encouraging users of mobile devices to install cybersecurity apps on their devices in its public education initiatives. According to CSA’s 2022 Cybersecurity Public Awareness Survey, five in ten persons installed cybersecurity apps, an increase from four in ten persons in 2020.

To help the public choose suitable cybersecurity apps based on their needs and budget, CSA published a list of recommended cybersecurity apps. This list has been available since September 2023 and has been publicised through various Government outreach initiatives. For example, CSA works through SG Digital Office’s Digital Ambassadors to share the list with seniors at community centres and digital community hubs and to install cybersecurity apps on their mobile devices upon request. CSA has received positive feedback from members of public that they found the list useful.

CSA has also been working with industry players to better protect Singaporeans and their mobile devices from potential malware infections. For example, Google and CSA launched a pilot programme in Feb 2024, in which Google Play Protect will block the installation of apps that are likely to be malicious, as an added layer of protection for Android mobile users. Last year, CSA also worked with our major retail banks to implement anti-malware security measures on their banking apps to better protect their customers against malware-enabled scams.

As malicious actors’ malware techniques are constantly evolving, CSA’s efforts must be complemented by users’ vigilance. They should proactively install cybersecurity apps in their personal devices and adopt good cyber hygiene practices such as not downloading apps or files from unknown persons or entities.