Cyber Threat: Don't Talk To Strangers , No Longer Relevant?

KUALA LUMPUR,  Feb 13 (Bernama) -- In the 1980s and 1990s, it became common for parents to warn their children not to talk to strangers, and the phrase “Don’t Talk To Strangers” became a widely recognised common advice.

However, times have changed. Today, children in the digital age can interact with anyone online, exposing them to various security risks.

Head of Cyber Security at the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), Professor Datuk Mohamad Fauzan Noordin emphasised the importance of addressing these risks.

He stated that the government's initiative to introduce the Online Safety Campaign is timely and necessary.

He stressed that awareness of cyber security should be cultivated from primary and secondary school levels to ensure the young generation becomes more vigilant against digital threats.

Citing a 2023 study by Meltwater, he noted that Malaysians spend more than a third of their lives online, with an average daily internet usage of over eight hours.

"In the past, cybersecurity was rarely a major concern, but today, it has become an urgent necessity as access to the digital world is now an integral part of our daily lives.

"Children may not realise that sharing pictures or personal information on social media can be exploited by cyber predators. They are also more vulnerable to interactions with strangers who may pose potential threats," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Similarly, Malaysian Cyber ​​Consumer Association (MCCA) Chairman Datuk Ahmad Noordin Ismail believes that cybersecurity education should start early because today’s young generation is born into a digital era that demands both skills and a heightened awareness of cyber threats.

He emphasised that despite implementing various campaigns and programmes, cybercrime cases remain high, underscoring the need for continuous efforts and a more structured approach to public education.

"We must consistently remind and educate the public to prevent them from falling victim to cyber fraud or the misuse of technology, which can lead to serious consequences," he added.

Meanwhile,  CyberSecurity Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Amiruddin Abdul Wahab supported the initiative by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in organising the Online Security Campaign to enhance cybersecurity awareness among Malaysians.

He said the campaign aligns with CyberSecurity Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to promote cybersecurity awareness nationwide and that the organisation is prepared to collaborate with any party to strengthen cybersecurity education in the country.

“To ensure the effectiveness of cybersecurity awareness campaigns, a large-scale and continuous effort is essential to prevent negligence and carelessness that could lead to cybersecurity risks,” he added.

The Online Security Campaign was launched by Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan last Jan 21.

Through MCMC, the Communications Ministry plans to extend the campaign to over 10,000 schools and public universities nationwide to raise awareness about digital safety.

Among the key objectives of this initiative are prohibiting children under 13 years old from having social media accounts and encouraging parental or guardian supervision of Internet use.

In addition, this campaign also aims to educate the public on the dangers of online scams, online gambling, cyberbullying, and paedophilia crimes, as well as promote safe and ethical Internet usage.

-- BERNAMA