Da Nang students create solutions to protect network security

*A group of students from the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communications Technology (VKU), Danang University, researched solutions to protect internet users. Photo: HOANG DUNG*

From small ideas to large systems

Faced with the reality of rapidly increasing risks in cyberspace, a group of students from the Vietnam - Korea University of Information and Communications Technology (VKU) came up with the idea of applying artificial intelligence (AI) to protect the safety of internet users.

There are 5 members participating in the project research: Truong Quoc The Dung, Ton That Ron, Phung Anh Sang, Tran Viet Gia Bao and Nguyen Ngoc Xuan Quynh.

Student Tran Viet Gia Bao, a member of the ShieldNet project, said that through the connection between the school and the Vietnam Internet Center ( Ministry of Science and Technology ) - VNNIC, the group learned that domain name management and content censorship in Vietnam still have many limitations, are time-consuming and prone to errors.

With the support of the center, the team initially focused on research to create a system for evaluating and managing domain names quickly, accurately and effectively. The ShieldNet project was initiated and born from there.

However, during the implementation process, the group found that there were very few tools and software to detect, control and protect users from malicious content on the internet such as: impersonation sites, gambling, online fraud, etc.

*The system helps detect and warn of fraud in cyberspace. Photo: HOANG DUNG*

From there, ShieldNet was expanded into a multi-layered AI system, serving three groups of subjects, including: management agencies, businesses and individual users.

The system provides two main tools: domain management and content safety check. Specifically, the domain management tool can check any domain in a very short time, detecting gambling, fake or potentially violating sites.

Meanwhile, the content safety checker is aimed at individual internet users. This tool helps users to check links, text and images, thereby warning of dangerous content on the internet.

Student Ton That Ron said, to form a multi-layered AI system, the group applied many modern technologies, combined with VNNIC to build an exclusive data set, and technologies to be able to extract characteristics and aspects of domain names.

“The team has built a proprietary Vietnamese dataset, combining multiple AI models to specialize in domain name classification. The system also explains why a domain name is considered a violation, based on the technical standards and regulations of the Vietnam Internet Center to help users understand the basis for the assessment,” Ron added.

[ VIDEO ] - Danang students create solutions to protect cyberspace:

Building a secure network environment

Currently, ShieldNet is being used in a trial at VNNIC. In October 2025, VNNIC used ShieldNet to evaluate 3,331 domain names. As a result, the system detected 359 violating domain names (93% correct) and 92 potentially violating domain names (100% correct).

Also in October 2025, the ShieldNet solution of the excellent team won First Prize at the 5th "Technology Startup for Students" competition - InTE_UD 2025, organized by the Youth Union - Student Association of Danang University in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology of the city.

Student Truong Quoc The Dung, project team leader, shared: “The award is the motivation and belief for the team to continue to improve and expand the scale of ShieldNet, spreading the usefulness of the system to the community. The team's long-term goal is to build a safe and healthy Internet environment for Vietnamese people.”

According to The Dung, in the coming time, the group plans to expand research and development of ShieldNet by focusing on prominent issues in cyberspace such as: malicious content from social networks, malware and fake news, in order to improve the ability to protect users against increasingly complex cyber security risks.

It is known that, with its high applicability, the project has been nominated to participate in the ASEAN Digital Technology Award - ASEAN Digital Award 2026. Thereby, creating opportunities for exchange, learning, competition and bringing the group's products to the Southeast Asian market, affirming the value and potential for practical application of the project.

“The group hopes that ShieldNet will become a truly useful tool in the current context, contributing to protecting Vietnam's cyberspace from the root,” said The Dung.

*The excellent ShieldNet solution won First Prize at the 5th "Technology Startup for Students" competition - InTE_UD 2025. Photo: NVCC*

Mr. Do Le Hung Toan, Chairman of the Danang University Student Association, assessed that the "Multi-layered AI system to support and protect cyberspace" by a group of students from the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communications Technology is highly appreciated for its practical implementation ability and social value.

This project provides a comprehensive solution applying a multi-layered artificial intelligence system to detect, warn and prevent fake and fraudulent websites; aiming to build a safe Vietnamese Internet environment with the participation of management agencies, businesses and individual users.

The team has demonstrated long-term vision and social responsibility in scientific research. The project can also continue to develop in the direction of core technology, expanding cooperation with international partners.

“
The Danang University Student Association will always accompany, maintain the flame of passion and create more opportunities to connect with investors and experts to continue spreading the entrepreneurial spirit of students. From there, create a foundation for the dream of building a business in the future.
Mr. Do Le Hung Toan, President of Danang University Student Association

Source: https://baodanang.vn/sinh-vien-da-nang-sang-tao-giai-phap-bao-ve-an-toan-mang-3309888.html