PHILIPPINES AMONG COUNTRIES AT RISK OF REMOTE DESKTOP PROTOCOL ‘BRUTE-FORCE’ CYBERATTACKS

A remote desktop protocol (RDP) is a tool developed by Microsoft that allows a computer user to connect to another computer over a network connection. The RDP has been a frequent target among hackers for stealing credentials and other information through “brute-force” attacks, which are characterized by systematically checking all possible password combinations until the correct one is found. Using data from Kaspersky, Search Engine Optimization firm Reboot Online showed that around 15.85% of network cyberattacks in the Philippines are of this nature, putting at risk companies that have been reliant on remote desktop connections that let employees access their work computer from home. Among the 42 Asian countries, the country ranks 22nd in terms of the incidence of RDP brute-force attacks. Compared with its neighbors, the Philippines is above Thailand (14.90%), Malaysia (13.33%), Vietnam (6.83%), Indonesia (6.30%), Cambodia (5.15%), Laos (1.58%), and Myanmar (0.95%). % of RDP brute-force network attacks to total

NOTES:

1. According to Reboot Online, data for the following Asian countries are not available: Turkmenistan, Syria, North Korea, Bhutan, Timor-Leste, Bahrain, Singapore, and Maldives.

2. The data from Kaspersky covers August 2020.

3. The data only shows the rate at which RDP brute-force attacks in each country are being experienced, and not the success or fail rate of these attacks.