Malaysia Threat Landscape Report 2026

Key Insights from Malaysia’s Cyber Threat Landscape

Public Administration Is the Primary Target: Government-related entities represent over 24% of dark web exposure, making public sector data and access the most attractive assets for threat actors.

Threat Activity Is Highly Localized: Around 80% of general dark web threats and 98% of ransomware incidents target Malaysian entities only, indicating strong domestic focus rather than regional spillover.

Data Theft Drives Underground Activity: More than 75% of dark web threats involve stolen data or databases, while access sales account for roughly 20%, enabling follow-on attacks.

Selling Dominates Dark Web Markets: Selling accounts for over 56% of dark web activity, showing a mature, profit-driven underground ecosystem.

Ransomware Landscape Is Fragmented: No single group dominates. Qilin leads among named actors, but over 60% of ransomware incidents come from smaller or less established groups.

Phishing Targets Finance and Trusted Brands: Finance accounts for nearly 32% of phishing attacks, while

Booking.com impersonation alone exceeds 40% of phishing page titles.

HTTPS Widely Used in Phishing: More than two-thirds of phishing pages use HTTPS, reducing the effectiveness of basic trust indicators.

DDoS Activity Remains a Major Risk: Malaysia recorded over 120,000 DDoS attacks, with peak bandwidth exceeding 350 Gbps, highlighting sustained disruption potential.

Why This Report Matters

Malaysia’s threat landscape is shaped by data-driven cybercrime, localized ransomware activity, and phishing campaigns that exploit trusted consumer and financial brands. Understanding these patterns is essential for improving visibility, prioritizing defenses, and protecting sensitive data and critical services.

Take Action Now

• Dark Web Monitoring: Detect leaked data, credentials, and access listings linked to Malaysian organizations.
• Ransomware Intelligence: Track active groups and strengthen incident response and recovery planning.
• Phishing Detection & Response: Identify finance- and brand-impersonation campaigns early.
• DDoS Preparedness: Improve resilience against high-volume, short-duration attacks targeting online services.