The public must improve their digital literacy as the first line of defence against increasingly complex cyber threats, including online scams, malware, and the misuse of artificial intelligence technology, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

She said public awareness and the ability to identify digital threats were crucial, as the government or authorities could not screen every message sent through communication applications such as WhatsApp.

Teo said technological advancements had also created new opportunities for cybercriminals to deceive users, including spreading malware through files that appear to be from people they know.

“For example, malware is now being widely distributed through ZIP files. You may receive such a file from a friend via WhatsApp and be asked to open it on your computer.