THE Pacific is now a cyber-frontier with Fiji being named as a prime target for Redline Malware.
Redline malware – according to global cybersecurity company ESET – is a malware service hacking tool that primarily acts as an info-stealer that targets crypto wallets, PII (personally identifiable information) data and sensitive documents.
These were the comments by Alex Teh, the chief executive officer of New Zealand-based specialist cybersecurity solutions distributor Chillisoft, in his presentation at the Cybersec Fiji 2026 symposium in Suva on Tuesday.
Mr Teh said the Redline Malware service hacking tool was also used by operators specifically targeting Pacific Island companies, and noted local company Pacific Building Solutions – a 1200-person building company – was hit by the scam very recently.
He said those scams targeted their identity.
“Identity theft is the new frontier,” Mr Teh said.
Citing the latest Interpol Asia and South Pacific Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2025/2026, he said the Pacific is a soft target for cybercrimes because of the lack of cyber investigators, limited forensics capabilities in country, limited cybercrime response resources, and limited cyber technical expertise.
“Interpol describes the increase in global internet connectivity and lack of resources as a reason why hackers believe Fiji is a soft target,” Mr Teh said.
He noted the report cited Fiji specifically as one of the targeted countries, alongside Cambodia, Vietnam, Kiribati, Nepal, Philippines and Timor-Leste.
However, Mr Teh said Fiji can lead the fight against cyber crimes.
“Fiji has actually established the first CERT New Zealand in the Pacific.
“The Fiji Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT) can now be the excellent foundation, the platform of which we can actually give our young people a path for development because they’ll be creating an incident response team.
“In In New Zealand, CERT, GCSE, NCSE absolutely works very, very closely with critical infrastructure to ensure that if there was any attack that occurred to one organisation, doesn’t expand to other organisations.
“The trust is there and I’m glad that Fiji has a new CERT.
“Fiji is producing more IT graduates than any other Pacific country. A thousand every year. Seven hundred produced by Fiji National University.
“Let’sgive them an opportunity to build a career here in Fiji.
“It’s also pleasing to see that there’s now funding coming in from the government; there’s funding coming in from Australia, the US and UN.
“And this provides a perfect storm in order for us to build a cyber security ecosystem that works for the Pacific.”
Chillisoft CEO Alex Teh delivers his presentation at the Cybersec Fiji 2026 symposium held at the GPH in Suva on Tuesday. Picture: JONA KONATACI
