AdminIn a remarkable display of talent and ingenuity, five students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) clinched the championship at the GodamLah! Hackathon 2024. Their AI-powered application, “SecureLah,” was lauded for its potential to combat phishing risks and deepfake fraud, addressing one of Malaysia’s most pressing cybersecurity concerns.
The winning project, “SecureLah,” was developed by Team “Yeslah,” comprising Jonas Kwan Jun Er (Team Leader, Software Engineering), Lo Sau Kang (Data Analytics), Amelia Sow Jing Yi (Software Engineering), Maxwell (Software Engineering), and Wong Wan Yin (Software Engineering). Under the mentorship of Ms Chong Mien May, Senior Lecturer at APU’s School of Computing (SoC), the team designed an AI-driven application that detects and mitigates phishing scams.
“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.
With cybercriminals increasingly leveraging AI for scams like deepfakes, the team recognised the need for an advanced technological solution. Their project aims to enhance digital safety by identifying fraudulent calls and messages in real time, educating users about cybersecurity threats, and providing businesses with analytical tools to prevent attacks.
A Winning Idea
Held on 11th January 2025 in Petaling Jaya, the Grand Finale of the GodamLah! Hackathon saw Team “Yeslah” emerge victorious among 10 teams that made it to the final round. The competition was intense, with 40 qualified undergraduates selected from an initial pool of 557 participants.
“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,” said Jonas.
Team “Yeslah” developed “SecureLah” with key features aimed at combating phishing and deepfake fraud. The app includes real-time scam detection through AI-driven analysis of calls and messages to prevent emotional manipulation. It also offers educational resources with interactive content to raise awareness of phishing risks. A reward system incentivizes users to report scams, fostering a safer community, while a business-focused web dashboard provides organizations with tools to monitor incidents and access AI-generated security guidelines.
Their innovative approach and strong technical execution won them the championship title and a cash prize of RM5,000.
Hard Work and Innovation
The victory highlighted the team’s dedication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Jonas Kwan Jun Er explained that they leveraged advanced tools such as Kotlin for Android development and React Native for creating cross-platform mobile applications. This strategic approach played a key role in the success of their innovative solution, “SecureLah,” at the hackathon.
Lo Sau Kang, the AI Lead, described the competition as a milestone in his journey toward graduation. “With machine learning frameworks, we enhanced functionality and provided intelligent insights.”
Amelia Sow Jing Yi, the Design Lead, emphasized the importance of adaptation and creativity. “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, the Research Lead, found value in mastering communication skills. “I gained invaluable insights into crafting presentations that resonate with judges and effectively communicate our idea”
Their mentor, Ms Chong Mien May, expressed immense pride in their achievement. “Mentoring these talented students has been a rewarding journey. Their hard work, determination, and creativity exemplify the excellence APU strives to foster.”
A Milestone for APU and Future Aspirations
APU’s consistent success in national and international tech competitions highlights its dedication to nurturing innovative, future-ready graduates. The experience has been transformative for Team “Yeslah,” equipping them with industry-relevant skills and invaluable feedback from professionals at DataSonic Group.
“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.
Team “Yeslah” has set a high benchmark for future participants, proving that with the right mix of talent, mentorship, and determination, groundbreaking innovations are possible.
Add comment