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Which industries are most under threat, and what is the most frequently used cyberattack methods?
Examining the development of spam and advanced threats: 40% of all incoming emails pose a potential threat
Cybercrime remains one of the biggest threats worldwide, according to a new report from email cloud security and backup provider Hornetsecurity. The Cyber Threat Report Edition 2021/2022 details the latest insights and data on the current threat situation with a focus on email communication. The report examines the development of spam and advanced threats, shows which industries are most under threat, and identifies the most frequently used cyberattack methods. It also reviews the most crucial cybercrime-related events of the past year.
As the primary means of communication for business, email is one of the main gateways for cybercrime and remains a prime attack vector. Threat researchers at the Hornetsecurity Security Lab found that 40% of all inbound emails out of the total email traffic during the research period posed a potential threat. This includes spam, phishing emails, and advanced threats such as CEO fraud and any type of malware.
Phishing, malicious links, and ransomware are among the most popular attack tactics used by hackers. “Brand impersonation” is especially popular. For this, cybercriminals copy a company‘s corporate design and mimic the sender address in such a way that it can hardly be distinguished from the original, genuine email address. The main aim is to obtain the user’s access data or to spread malware via hidden links. At 16.5%, Deutsche Post and DHL are among the top five most frequently imitated brands.
In addition to this and other insights about the current state of global cybercrime, the Cyber Threat Report Edition 2021/2022 also provides an outlook on further possible developments.
Get your free copy of the Cyber Threat Report today, and access all data, figures, and visuals!
Security: Impunity leads to cyber crime to operate widely free in Brazil
There are evidences that Brazilian cyber criminals are cooperating with the Eastern European gangs involved with ZeuS, SpyEye and other banking Trojans, sharing know-how and exchanging favours.
With almost no legislation and very few arrests, the Brazilian cyber-criminals are motivated on ripping off their own fellow nationals and local businesses.
Sadly, the Brazilians are bracing for another tough year. With a high level of corruption in all levels of the government, no investments in education and with an legislation from the stone age, the cyber criminals have the certain of no punishment and are making many victims.
See 6 tips for staying safer online
A global survey conducted by ESET revealed that between January and November 2015, Brazil had the highest levels of global spread of some of the major banking Trojans, corresponding for 82% of all global detections of the TrojanDowloader.Banload, 72% of the Spy.Bancos and 52% of the Spy.Banker.
In 2014 Brazil was ranked the most dangerous country for financial cyber-attacks. As shocking as it sounds, sensitive data about almost every Brazilian citizen in the open.
As a safe measure, make sure you check the source of the document before you click and download it to your device – The Win32 / TrojanDownloader.Banload is a family of malware that focuses on breaking into the security solutions and perform download other malicious code aimed at stealing bank details.
To minimize the risks, at the personal level, make sure you use strong passwords, don’t share personal information on social network and use multi-authentication factor allied with an updated anti-virus and host firewall.
Many of these malicious codes are based on social engineering and pose as a trusted document in order to deceive their victims – This particular threat (Win32 / TrojanDownloader.Banload) pretends to be an Office document, however, has a double extension .docx_.scr. Its propagation occurs, especially through e-mails, where users believe that this is a Word document, when it is actually an executable file.
No matter your size or the size of your organisation. No one is too small to be a target for cyber criminals.
Do you think that you are safe here in Australia or anywhere in the world? The cyber criminals have no borders. According to the ESET Virus Radar, the number 1 threat is the Win32/Bayrob, followed by the JS/Exploit.Agent.NKZ.
My personal note to you: Start 2016 by making sure your systems are up to date, that you have an anti-virus and host firewall installed and updated and that you follow the basics of security. Visit the Microsoft Safety and Security Center at https://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx
If you interested in learn more about the cyber crime, there is an interesting white paper published by Trend Micro, which I recommend.
Sources:
- http://www.welivesecurity.com/2015/05/07/cpl-malware-brazil-white-paper-now-available/
- https://securelist.com/files/2015/11/KLReport_CyberUnderground_Brazil_eng.pdf
- https://www.trendmicro.com/cloud-content/us/pdfs/security-intelligence/white-papers/wp-ascending-the-ranks.pdf
- http://www.virusradar.com/?utm_source=virus_radar&utm_medium=infohub&utm_campaign=virus_radar
Image: Freedigitalphotos/Stuart Miles
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