# MA-983.112023: MyCERT Alert - Cyber Security Best Practices for System Administrators and Internet Users

**Date:** 04 Nov 2023  
**Source:** https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisory?id=MA-983.112023  
**Advisory ID:** MA-983.112023

---

**1.0 Introduction**
The Cyber999 Cyber Incident Response Centre is actively observing any cyber threat campaigns 
A total of 4,381 incidents were received through the Cyber999 Cyber Incident Response Centre between January and September 2023, with the majority of incidents reported are fraud, intrusion, malicious code, and content-
Figure 1: Cyber Incident Statistics (Jan – Sept 2023)
Despite this, organisations and citizens are advised to be always vigilant and cautious of potential cyber incidents such as web defacement, data breaches, malware infections, hack attempts and denial of service attacks.
Notably, we have also constantly produced security advisories on software vulnerabilities as well as product updates such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe, and Apple, as well as other cyber threats, which can be found in the following URL:
<https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisories?id=431fab9c-d24c-4a27-ba93-e92edafdefa5>
We highly recommend System Administrators and Internet users refer to our Security Alerts and Advisories and follow the cyber security best practices. System Administrators and Internet users must be aware of these vulnerabilities and threats by applying necessary patches and updates. This is to help prevent cyber incidents as much as possible and minimise the impacts or risks associated with the incidents.
**2.0 Recommendations**
2.1 The following are some recommendations for System Administrators:
- Ensure systems, applications and third-party add-ons are updated with the latest upgrades and security patches. If you are running older versions of operating systems or software, upgrade it to the latest version, as older versions are vulnerable and easily manipulated by intruders. Also, patch your web-based applications and network-based appliances accordingly.
- Refer to your respective vendors' websites for the latest patches, service packs and upgrades. Otherwise, you may also refer to MyCERT’s website for the latest advisories on patches, service packs and upgrades as below:
- <https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisories?id=431fab9c-d24c-4a27-ba93-e92edafdefa5>
- Update the Anti-virus software that is running on hosts and email gateways with the latest signature files and ensure the settings to scan all files are enabled.
- Configure systems properly to avoid incidents such as information disclosure and directory listing due to system misconfiguration.
- Always enable logging systems and server activities and keep them in a sufficient period of time.
- Backup critical information regularly to limit the impact of data or system loss and to help expedite the recovery process. Ideally, backup daily on a separate media and store offline at an alternate site.
- Organisations are recommended to apply an defence in-depth strategy in protecting their networks. Firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and network and host-based intrusion detection systems (IDS) can prevent and log most of the generic attacks.
- Data Centres and Web Hosting Companies should beware of any software or third-party add-ons they are running by applying the latest patches or upgrades to prevent intrusions that may exploit unpatched applications.
- Organizations must ensure the contact information of System Administrators is made available in the event of a security incident at or originating from your site.
- Financial Institutions must be vigilant against any possibilities of phishing and fraudulent activities that target Internet banking. Customers must be advised adequately to avoid becoming victims of these scams by applying safe browsing, safe email practices and safe Internet banking practices.
- System Administrators must immediately report any suspicious activities they observe in systems and networks under their administrations to relevant authorities and seek assistance. Incidents can be reported to the Cyber999 Incident Response Centre through our reporting channels, as listed at the end of the page, and we will respond accordingly. To report any critical incident, call Cyber999 via the 24x7 On Call Incident Reporting channel.
2.2 The following are some best practices for home users:
- Update your computer and browsers with the latest upgrades and security patches.
- Install Anti-Virus software on your PC to scan and block any malware. Update Anti-virus regularly with the latest signature files to detect new worms/viruses.
- Take extra precautions when clicking on links and downloading attachments received via social networking sites or emails.
- Do not fall victim to online scams. Take precautions against online scams that target Internet users.
- Users are recommended to practice the following tips and guidelines to browse the Internet safely:
- <http://www.cybersafe.my>
- Backup critical information regularly to limit the impact of data or system loss and to help expedite the recovery process. Ideally, backup daily and keep data on a separate device, offline at an alternate site.
- Incidents can be reported to Cyber999 through our reporting channels, as listed at the end of the page, and we will respond accordingly. To report any critical incident, call Cyber999 via the 24x7 On Call Incident Reporting channel.
Generally, we advise users to be updated with the latest security announcements by vendors and follow best security practices to determine which updates should be applied.
For further enquiries, please contact the Cyber999 Incident Response Centre through the following channels:
E-mail: cyber999[at]cybersecurity.my 
Phone: 1-300-88-2999 (monitored during business hours)  
Mobile: +60 19 2665850 (24x7 call incident reporting) 
Business Hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 -18:00 MYT 
Web: <https://www.mycert.org.my> 
Twitter: <https://twitter.com/mycert> 
Facebook: <https://www.facebook.com/mycert.org.my>