Hopster, the relaxation drink by Thailand’s T.C. Pharmaceutical Industries, is embracing the Metaverse by having a Metaverse event in February 2022. The event was held on the Grand Theft Auto V platform with full activation by the Hopster brand to bring out brand’s core message – relaxation. The recording on FB by djartpongteen attracted around 48,000 views, while those on Twitch attracted another 30,000 views.
Image by Hopster
Hopster has earlier organised a contest to encourage consumers to relax in the virtual realm by giving away Oculus Quest 2, which is the virtual reality headset created by Facebook Technologies, as well as Ray-Ban Stories Smart Glasses.
Companies are taking their brands to the Metaverse hoping to engage like-minded individuals, especially the younger audience, who are active on the virtual realm. Gamers can perhaps buy the products on the Metaverse and consume them while on the virtual space. Even gamers need to eat and drink right?
In 2021, Kaspersky saw a steady decline in attacks on mobile devices, while cybercriminals consolidated their efforts to focus on more dangerous (and profitable) threats instead. New mobile malware has become increasingly complex, featuring new ways to steal users’ banking and gaming credentials, as well as other strands of personal data. In 2021 Kaspersky detected more than 95,000 new mobile banking Trojans, but the number of attacks using such malware remained similar. Additionally, the share of Trojans – malicious programs capable of executing remote commands – doubled, reaching 8.8% in 2021. These and other findings are featured in Kaspersky’s Mobile Threats in 2021 report.
Kaspersky’s annual analysis of mobile threats demonstrated a positive trend – the number of attacks on mobile users worldwide has been declining, hitting 46 million in 2021 compared to 63 million in 2020. Experts attribute this development, in part, to the wave of attacks seen at the beginning of lockdown as users were forced to work from home. That period also saw increased use of various video conferencing and entertainment apps, increasing the volume and spread of attack opportunities. Now that the situation has stabilized, cybercriminal activity declined as a result.
Still, Kaspersky experts believe it is too early to relax. In 2021, 3.5 million malicious installation packages were detected, leading to 46.2 million attacks worldwide. Moreover, 80% of attacks were carried out by malware rather than adware (software that intrusively displays ads), or RiskTools (malicious programs with various functions such as concealing themselves from the screen).
In addition, the number of attacks using banking Trojans, programs designed to steal users’ banking credentials to later exploit them and drain targets’ bank accounts, have kept up momentum. There were 2.367 million attacks in 2021, only 600 thousand fewer than in 2020. Attackers also actively upgraded their banking Trojans, with Kaspersky detecting more than 95,000 new versions last year – many with improved capabilities. For example, the Fakecalls banking Trojan is now capable of dropping calls whenever users try to contact the bank, replacing audio recordings with prepared answers from the operator. This way, users are tricked into thinking that they are talking to a real bank employee or the standard robot answering machine, and they unwittingly share sensitive information with the attackers. Other malware act more subtly. The Sova banking Trojan is capable of stealing users’ cookies, thereby gaining access to personal accounts in mobile banking apps, without necessarily knowing login and password information.
In 2021 cybercriminals also went after mobile gaming credentials – these are often sold later on the darknet or used to steal in-game goods from users. The first mobile Trojan of the Gamethief type stole credentials from the mobile version of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
Tatyana Shishkova, security researcher at Kaspersky
“Indeed, there have been fewer mobile attacks in general, however, the attacks we are still seeing have become more complex and harder to spot. Cybercriminals tend to mask malicious apps under the guise of legitimate applications, which can often be downloaded from official app stores. On top of that, with mobile banking and payment apps becoming even more widespread, there is a higher chance of cybercriminals targeting these more actively. Staying cautious and careful on the internet and avoiding downloading unknown apps is good practice, but I also strongly recommend using a reliable solution. When it comes to the security of finances in particular, it is better to be safe than sorry,” comments Tatyana Shishkova, security researcher at Kaspersky.
Read the full report looking into mobile threats in 2021 on Securelist.
To protect yourself from mobile threats, Kaspersky shares the following recommendations:
It is safer to download your apps only from official stores like Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore. Apps from these markets are not 100% failsafe, but at least they get checked by shop representatives and there is some filtration system — not every app can get onto these stores.
Check the permissions of apps that you use and think carefully before permitting an app, especially when it comes to high-risk permissions such as Accessibility Services. The only permission that a flashlight app needs is to the flashlight (which doesn’t even involve camera access).
A reliable security solution can help you to detect malicious apps and adware before they start behaving badly on your device.
iPhone users have some privacy controls provided by Apple, and users can block app access to photos, contacts and GPS features if they think these permissions are unnecessary.
A good piece of advice is to update your operating system and important apps as updates become available. Many safety issues can be solved by installing updated versions of software.
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and we help 240,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.
Kobe Boga Utama, the maker of BonCabe chilli flakes in Indonesia, has launched Mi BonCabe Ramen Pedas Endolita Level 30 (90g) to give Japanese ramen a Indonesian spicy touch. The air dried noodles are baked, not fried, and are free from colouring.
The launch of the new product under the Mi BonCabe instant noodle line highlights Kobe Boga Utama’s success in expanding BonCabe into the adjacent instant noodle category, which is a staple in Indonesia.
Century Pacific Food, owner of Century tuna, has finally hinted about the launch of unMeat Fish-Free Tuna Style Flakes . The latest plant-based seafood is fish-free, free from GMO, 100% plant-based and is said to be sustainable. The latest product comes in a shelf stable canned format similar to what Green Monday is doing with its OmniTuna.
As a tuna producer, Century Pacific Food is offering fish-free tuna to recruit consumers who are worried about sustainability and the negative impact of industrial fishing.
The latest press release by Century Pacific Food in early July 2022 pointed out that unMEAT Fish-free Tuna has already gained distribution in over 500 retail outlets in the United States, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates, where it is carried in retail giant Carrefour. It is also available in specialty vegan e-commerce sites in the United States, GTFO and Vejii.
Hybrid Allied Dairy Company Sdn Bhd has launched Summerfield in two new flavours – Matcha Milk Tea and Banana.
The Banana Flavoured Milk is said to contain real banana puree and is a great source of potassium. The Matcha Milk Tea Milk offers a deep and rich flavour of matcha with the tea leaves grown in Japan.
The new flavour packs are available at the majority of hypermarkets and supermarkets near you.
PT Buyung Poetra Sembada Tbk (HOKI), the company that sells rice under the Hoki and Top Koki brand in Indonesia, has expanded into rice alternatives with the launch of corn rice (beras jagung) and cassava rice (beras singkong), according to the company’s latest press release.
The focus on corn and cassava is in line with the move by the Indonesian government to diversify its agricultural commodies from rice, which is a staple. The overreliance on rice could run the risk of sparking a national food crisis.
The Indonesian state-owned Perum Bulog has recently introduced cassava rice. Other private companies are expected to follow suit.
Re.juve Indonesia, known for its cold-pressed juices, has launched its cold-pressed oatmilk line. The range consists of Oatmilk Unsweetened, Oatmilk and Choco Oatmilk. The cold-pressed oatmilk drinks are said to contain vitamin B1, fibre and are good for the heart.
We are seeing more speciality juice brands in Indonesia riding the oatmilk bandwagon as oatmilk fits perfectly well with their business objectives of serving healthy drinks to consumers. Moreover, oatmilk is trendy and is the plant-based ingredient of the day.
We also see local Indonesian brands looking at introducing more familiar, cost-effective plant-based ingredients like mung beans and position them as healthier choice for consumers.
Three K Coffee in Indonesia has made available its RTD “Kopi Yang Itu” & Pink (a) Colada at Canè Beverage Mini Market in Cipete. The drinks are also available online.
Kopi Yang Itu (250ml) contains coffee, fresh milk and sweetener delivering a sweet taste without losing the taste of coffee. Pink (a) Colada is made from cold brew tea and berry syrup.
Suasana Kopi has also introduced its RTD coffee SPRKLN’ BERRY (250ml) at Canè Beverage Mini Market. The drink is made from coffee, soda and strawberry.
Cané Beverage Mini Market in Jakarta, Indonesa is a new one-stop centre for locally-made, innovative non-alcoholic drinks. Right now, the store sells unique non-alcoholic craft beverages including those from Cané, Mood, UT and Shokyu Craft Malt.
Indofood has introduced Indomilk Kental Manis Swiss Choco (Indomilk Swiss Choco Sweetened Condensed Milk) in Indonesia. With the latest launch, the food company is encouraging consumers to use sweetened condensed milk to upgrade or elevate their normal dishes to the next level.
The Indomilk Swiss Choco Sweetened Condensed Milk is priced affordably for the mass market to allow people to create dishes with a premium taste without hurting their wallet.
The launch also shows Indofood is continuing to focus its attention on making food solutions that are perfect for the theme of stay-at-home entertainment.
Mind Kombucha’s Curcumin Shot, launched in Thailand in late 2021, is a good example of how kombucha can deliver health benefit in a shot format. Curcumin Shot is is made from concentrated kombucha tea mixed with natural turmeric roots.
Curcumin Shot helps to slow down aging targeting consumers aged 30 and above and taking care of health in a holistic way. The concentrated shot format allows consumers to receive the benefits in a quick and efficient manner.
DKSH has collaborated with The Lost Food Project (TLFP) for the fourth consecutive year to redistribute surplus products to eliminate hunger among underprivileged communities...
