Consumers in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are exhibiting higher levels of digital activity and greater awareness of cybercrime risks compared to their global counterparts, according to a recent B2C Pulse Survey by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky(https://www.kaspersky.com/). The study underscores a growing reliance on digital platforms and a parallel surge in mobile-specific threats across the region, prompting calls for enhanced embedded security solutions.
The survey, conducted by Kaspersky Market Intelligence, found that APAC consumers surpass global averages in key digital engagement areas. Eighty percent of APAC consumers reported engaging in online shopping, compared to 71% globally. Similarly, digital finance usage stood at 72% in APAC versus 70% worldwide, digital entertainment at 70% versus 62%, and digital communication at 68% versus 61%.
Table of Contents
APAC : Rising Concern Over Digital Crime
This increased digital engagement coincides with heightened concern regarding the misuse of digital technology for criminal activities. Approximately 35% of APAC consumers expressed worry about digital crime, exceeding the global average of 32%. Awareness was particularly pronounced in Thailand (39%), Malaysia (38%), and Indonesia (35%), followed by China (34%), India (32%), and Vietnam (31%).
Choon Hong Chee, Head of Consumer Channel for APAC at Kaspersky, emphasized the imperative for robust cybersecurity in the region. “With 77% of APAC online and digital wallets accounting for roughly 70% of online payments, cybersecurity is no longer optional,” Chee stated. “The region anticipates 2.11 billion mobile subscribers by 2030, making the protection of personal data and financial transactions critical to sustaining trust in the region’s thriving digital economy.”
Mobile Threat Landscape Expands Across APAC
The report also highlighted a significant increase in mobile-centric cyber threats. Kaspersky reported blocking nearly 30,000 mobile attacks against consumers in APAC during the first quarter of 2026. India and Indonesia recorded the highest volumes of these incidents, with 18,187 and 15,163 attacks, respectively.
Beyond these high-volume markets, several other APAC countries experienced substantial year-on-year increases in mobile attacks between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026. Taiwan saw a 373% surge, Sri Lanka 132%, Thailand 127%, Bangladesh 108%, China 69%, and the Philippines 28%.
Chee commented on the trend, noting, “The rapid rise in mobile attacks across multiple APAC markets reflects how quickly the region’s digital habits are changing. While the nearly 30,000 mobile threats detected in just the first quarter may appear small against the scale of APAC’s digital population, they could represent only the tip of the iceberg.” He added that mobile phones, unlike PCs, often lack comparable security protections despite their integral role in financial, social, and professional lives.
The Imperative for Embedded Security
As smartphones become the primary conduit for banking, payments, shopping, and other sensitive digital services, the need for integrated security solutions has become more evident. Kaspersky suggests that embedding protection directly into mobile applications, rather than relying solely on users to install separate security solutions, offers a more effective approach.
Kaspersky Mobile Security SDK allows organizations, including banks, retailers, and government services, to integrate multi-layered security directly into their mobile applications. This SDK provides capabilities such as anti-phishing, malware detection, secure connectivity, device reputation checks, and data protection. It can also generate alerts for threats like financial Trojans and phishing malware.
In addition to this, the company offers Kaspersky Who Calls SDK for caller identification and reputation, and Kaspersky Safe Web, an agentless, network-based solution utilizing DNS filtering to scan web traffic and help users identify potentially dangerous links. These offerings aim to bolster digital safety as consumers increasingly navigate their lives through mobile devices, a critical aspect of industry developments (https://technosports.co.in/) in cybersecurity.
