Winning the Fight Against Phishing

APU Team Triumphs at GodamLah! Hackathon 2024 with Innovative AI Solution

(From left) Maxwell, Lo Sau Kang, Jonas Kwan Jun Er (Team Leader), Amelia Sow Jing Yi, Wong Wan Yin, and their lecturer and mentor, Ms Chong Mien May, celebrate bringing their championship victory back to campus from the GodamLah! Hackathon 2024.

As the digital age expands, our reliance on social media and information technology grows, exposing us to an escalating range of cyber threats. From identity theft and data phishing to deepfake fraud and online scams, these challenges demand innovative solutions.

In Malaysia, phishing remains the leading cybersecurity concern, with 54% of organisations identifying it as their top priority, as highlighted by TechWire Asia in July 2024.

Recognising this pressing issue, a team of five students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) took on the challenge with remarkable success.

Known as Team "Yeslah", these budding tech innovators developed "SecureLah”, an AI-powered application that targets phishing risks and deepfake fraud, ultimately clinching the championship at the GodamLah! Hackathon 2024, organised by DataSonic Group, and UniLah.

Securing the Future with "SecureLah"

The groundbreaking project, "SecureLah", is a testament to the team's ingenuity and determination.

“It is an innovative mobile app designed to safeguard users from phishing risks via AI-driven call and SMS analysis. The idea for the project came from reading news stories about victims of cybercrime, particularly the elderly who are often targeted,” explained Jonas Kwan Jun Er, the Team Leader and a Year 3 student pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering.

His teammates comprise individuals with diverse talents: Lo Sau Kang (Data Analytics), Amelia Sow Jing Yi (Software Engineering), Maxwell (Software Engineering), and Wong Wan Yin (Software Engineering).

With cybercriminals increasingly using artificial intelligence for scams like deepfakes, the team recognised the need for a robust, AI-powered solution. Under the guidance of Ms Chong Mien May, Senior Lecturer at APU’s School of Computing (SoC), they developed a comprehensive tool designed to protect users from falling prey to sophisticated scams.

A Winning Idea

The Grand Finale, held on 11th January 2025 in Petaling Jaya, saw Team "Yeslah" triumph against fierce competition among 40 qualified undergraduates out of 557 entrants.

Their idea and prototype impressed the judges, earning them the championship title and a cash prize of RM5,000.

“Our proposed solution, ‘SecureLah’, addresses the growing threats of vishing (voice phishing) and smishing (SMS phishing), which are forms of social engineering attacks targeting individuals and businesses,” explained Jonas.

The team elaborated on the project's core features:

• Real-Time Scam Detection: AI-driven analysis of calls and messages to prevent emotional manipulation;
• Educational Resources: Interactive content to raise awareness of vishing and smishing risks;
• Reward System: Incentivises users to report scams, contributing to a safer community;
• Business-Focused Web Dashboard: Provides organisations with advanced analytics, incident tracking, and tailored AI-generated security guidelines.

"By combining cutting-edge technology with user engagement, ‘SecureLah’ fosters a safer communication environment for both public and corporate users,” said Jonas.

Reflections from the Team

Team "Yeslah" was announced as the Champion and received the cash prize from Datuk Ab Hamid Mohamad Hanipah (3rd from right), Datasonic Executive Director, and Ms Safia Hanifah (2nd from right), Director of Strategic Communications at Datasonic, who was also one of the judges. (Photo credit to: DagangNews.com)

Their victory was the result of technical expertise, innovative problem-solving, and seamless teamwork. Here’s what each member shared about their journey:

Jonas Kwan Jun Er (Team Lead and Mobile App Developer):

“We utilised advanced tools like Kotlin for Android development and React Native for cross-platform mobile applications. It took countless sleepless nights and intense brainstorming sessions, but I’m grateful for my teammates’ trust in me as their leader.”

Lo Sau Kang (AI Lead):

“With machine learning frameworks, we enhanced functionality and provided intelligent insights. As I approach graduation, this opportunity has been a milestone that I’ll cherish forever. It all started with a simple idea to explore hackathons.”

Maxwell (AI Lead):

“Integrating mobile apps, web platforms, and AI-driven components into one seamless experience was challenging but rewarding. This competition pushed my technical skills to new limits and taught me how to handle Q&A sessions effectively.”

Amelia Sow Jing Yi (Design Lead):

“Iterating on our ideas and learning from constructive criticism were critical to our success. This experience taught me so much about coding and creative problem-solving.”

Wong Wan Yin (Research Lead):

“I gained invaluable insights into crafting presentations that resonate with judges and effectively communicate our ideas. This hackathon has been a learning experience I’ll never forget.”

The Role of Mentorship

The team’s mentor, Ms Chong Mien May, played a pivotal role in their success. Her guidance and expertise empowered the students to refine their ideas and deliver a winning solution.

“Mentoring these talented students has been a rewarding journey. Their hard work, determination, and creativity exemplify the excellence APU strives to foster. I’m incredibly proud to see them excel in their field, using their skills to tackle real-world problems,” Ms Chong shared.

A Milestone for APU

Team "Yeslah" joined 9 other teams comprising 35 undergraduates from local universities across Malaysia for a group photo with the organisers and the panel of judges during the event. (Photo credit to: DagangNews.com)

This achievement underscores APU’s dedication to nurturing future-ready graduates equipped to excel in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The university’s commitment to fostering resilience, technical expertise, and innovation was evident throughout this competition.

For Team "Yeslah," the experience was more than just a victory—it was a stepping stone toward their future careers. The feedback from the judges, particularly industry professionals from DataSonic Group, provided invaluable insights to perfect "SecureLah" before its potential commercialisation.

“This hackathon has been an incredible platform for us to showcase our skills, learn from industry experts, and develop a solution that can make a tangible difference. Moving forward, we’re excited to take on new challenges and make an impact in the field of cybersecurity,” Jonas concluded.

Looking Ahead

​
Team "Yeslah"—(from left) Maxwell, Lo Sau Kang, Jonas Kwan Jun Er (Team Leader), Amelia Sow Jing Yi, Wong Wan Yin, and their lecturer and mentor, Ms Chong Mien May—has set a benchmark for future participants by creating solutions that address real-world issues with innovation and a strong spirit of teamwork.

The GodamLah! Hackathon 2024 was more than just a competition—it was a celebration of innovation, teamwork, and the drive to create solutions that address real-world issues. Team "Yeslah" has set a benchmark for future participants, proving that with the right mix of talent, guidance, and determination, anything is possible.