A recent study commissioned by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has identified a significant increase in cyber risk for individuals in Southeast Asia who access piracy websites.
The research – which examined online behaviours in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – found that users of piracy platforms face a much higher likelihood of malware infection compared to those who use legitimate sites.
The report, titled “Consumer Risk from Piracy in Southeast Asia,” was prepared by Dr. Paul Watters, a cybersecurity expert affiliated with Cyberstronomy Pty Ltd.
According to the findings, the probability of encountering malware on piracy sites can be up to 65 times greater than on mainstream platforms.
The study covered various types of piracy services, including streaming and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, IPTV, scam portals, and repositories for anime and manga content.
Watters noted that the data points to a substantial increase in risk for users who engage with these sites.
“As this study makes clear, the risks and ramifications substantially increase for those in Southeast Asia who visit piracy sites,” he said. “Though efforts to curb digital piracy are ongoing, these stark results require additional action – such as smart tools and proven measures – to mitigate the relevant digital threats in each country.”
The research identified P2P networks, scam portals, and streaming piracy services as carrying the highest risk of cyber threats.
Among the countries surveyed, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia reported the highest average risk, with users in these markets facing a cyber threat rate more than 34 times higher than those using legitimate sites.
In contrast, the most popular mainstream websites in the region were found to pose minimal cyber risk.
Larissa Knapp, executive vice president and chief content protection officer at the Motion Picture Association, commented that the findings reinforce the impact of piracy networks on consumers and the broader economy in Southeast Asia.
“We applaud Dr. Watters and his team for their work in revealing the dangers of using these illicit sources, and we look forward to further collaboration with law enforcement throughout the region to detect these bad actors, deter future misdeeds, and dismantle unlawful operations that endanger a thriving creative marketplace,” she added.
Meanwhile, Aon plc’s latest Cyber Risk Report for 2025 has documented a notable increase in cyber incidents across the Asia-Pacific region.
The report, which analysed data from more than 3,200 clients and over 1,400 global cyber events, recorded a 29% year-on-year rise in cyber incidents in Asia-Pacific.
Over the past four years, the frequency of such incidents has more than doubled, increasing by 134%.
The report also observed a 22% rise in cyber insurance claims notifications during 2024, reflecting the growing impact of cyber events on insured organisations.
Notably, the use of artificial intelligence, including deepfake technology, has contributed to a 53% annual increase in social engineering attacks.
Claims related to social engineering and fraud have surged by 233%, indicating that threat actors are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics.
According to the report, geopolitical trends such as trade disputes, territorial issues, and changes in supply chain structures are shaping how organisations in Asia-Pacific approach cyber risk management.
Adam Peckman, who leads Aon’s risk consulting and cyber solutions in the region, stated that nation-state actors are likely to continue using cyber operations to pursue economic and strategic objectives. These activities may include economic coercion, espionage, or targeting critical infrastructure.
Peckman emphasised the importance of integrating cybersecurity and insurance strategies, noting that as cyber threats become more complex, organisations need a clearer understanding of their exposure and improved tools for making data-driven decisions.
Aon’s analysis found that out of 1,414 cyber events globally, 56 incidents resulted in significant public attention and reputational risk for the companies involved.
On average, these organisations experienced a 27% decline in shareholder value following such events.
Malware and ransomware were identified as the primary causes of reputational damage, accounting for 60% of these high-profile incidents, despite making up less than half of all cyber events.
