Kaspersky reveals how Malaysians store important data and highlights practical ways to keep it safe. Research shows that zoomers and millennials keep nearly everything electronically, while some representatives of the older generation still prefer good old-fashioned paper.
How is Personal Data Being Stored Today?
Global research conducted by Kaspersky’s Market Research Centre shows that most people, including Malaysians, prefer to keep important information stored digitally. The majority of respondents (84%) claim they store sensitive personal data like ID, financial details, healthcare-related information or photo archive in electronic format. Among people aged 18-34, this figure rises to 90%, indicating a high level of digitalisation of personal data among young users.
In Malaysia, a similar trend is observed, with 61% of respondents storing sensitive personal data on computers or hard drives, while 37% use cloud storage and 23% rely on government digital services. However, 16% said they still rely solely on physical copies, suggesting that despite widespread digital adoption, trust in traditional storage methods remains among some users.
Exposure and Threat Grow Alongside Digital Storage
Malaysia’s growing reliance on storing sensitive personal data on devices such as laptops and smartphones is turning these endpoints into a source of exposure to cyber threats.
Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) data shows that more than 24 million on-device cyber threats were detected in Malaysia in 2025, with one in four users affected.
Everyday online activity continues to be a common pathway for digital risks too. In 2025, over 18.8 million web-based threats were blocked in Malaysia, averaging more than 51,000 incidents daily, with browsing, downloads and cloud-based services continuing to serve as key entry points for malicious activity and data exposure.
These attack patterns are also reflected in national reporting. Data from the Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT) shows increased activity in incidents involving malicious code and unauthorised access in Q3 2025, highlighting that threats targeting devices and systems remain a persistent concern as more data is stored digitally.
High Digital Adoption, Uneven Protection
Kaspersky’s survey also highlights how Malaysians are securing their digital data, with 73% of respondents using biometric authentication and 57% enabling two-factor authentication where available. However, protection measures are not always applied consistently. Around 44% of respondents still rely on simple passwords, potentially leaving their sensitive information exposed to brute-force attacks and unauthorised access, despite the availability of stronger protection methods.
Storing Data is Easy. Protecting it is the Real Challenge
Each storage method carries its own advantages and limitations. Physical media can be lost or damaged, while external hard drives may not always be convenient to use on the go. Cloud services offer accessibility but can be vulnerable to unauthorised access if not properly secured. To maximise digital data security, Kaspersky experts advise adhering to the following bestpractice recommendations:
1. Develop a backup strategy
There is no universal approach to data storage, nor is it necessary to back up every single file. Nonetheless, cultivating a regular backup routine is strongly recommended, particularly for sensitive data or files that cannot be regenerated or recovered through other means. According to the popular 3-2-1 backup strategy, you should have at least three copies of important data, store it on two different storage types, and make at least one copy off-side (cloud or external physical location).
The most sensitive data like passwords, ID or financial details requires special attention. Use a dedicated security solution like Kaspersky password manager, which apart from securely keeping users’ credentials and bank cards, has a special secret vault functionality aimed at storing important documents, for example, scanned Passports/IDs and PDF files, addresses and notes.
2. Protect your vaults
Relying solely on simple passwords leaves your digital vaults vulnerable to brute-force attacks. That’s why experts recommend enabling twofactor authentication (2FA) wherever it is available or adopting passkey technology. Passkeys can be stored securely in a password manager and accessed seamlessly from any authorised device.
3. Set up automatic backups where possible
Continuously remembering to perform backups can be cumbersome. To streamline the process, enable the builtin backup service on every device you use (e.g., iCloud for iPhone/iPad/Mac, Google Drive/OneDrive for Android/Windows). Test it once a month or two by restoring a single file, just to be sure the backup works. Kaspersky Premium allows users to make regular backups and restore information on Windows devices. Backup copies of data can be easily saved on removable drives or in cloud storage in an encrypted format.
“We all know backups are important, but most of us never do them because we try to back up everything at once and it gets overwhelming. The smarter approach? Treat backup like any other workflow. Tag your files – critical, important, lowpriority. Automate realtime backups for the critical stuff, schedule weekly or monthly backups for the rest. And for sensitive data like passwords and IDs, use our dedicated solution with a secret vault to keep it secure. When you automate and prioritise, you protect what really matters without getting overloaded,” comments Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business in Kaspersky.
“Digital storage has become part of Malaysian life but protection practices have not evolved at the same pace. As more data is stored across multiple devices, the point of risk has moved closer to the users. The challenge is no longer balancing accessibility with ease of use but how data is managed and protected. Without that shift in mindset, what makes digital tools convenient can become a point of vulnerability. Strengthening how data is secured across devices will be key to reducing this exposure,” said Chee Choon Hong, Head of Consumer Channel for APAC at Kaspersky.
To support stronger personal data protection in an increasingly digital environment, Kaspersky is offering up to 19% off its Kaspersky Premium plans this April 2026. Each eligible purchase made before 30 April 2026 will also receive a complimentary RM30 TNG Reload PIN, helping users strengthen their protection across devices while managing everyday online risks.
* The study was conducted by Kaspersky’s market research centre in November 2025. Respondents from 15 countries (Argentina, Chile, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, UK, United Arab Emirates) took part in the survey.