The realm of digital finance has witnessed an uptick in mobile banking malware, with a 32% increase in 2023, contrasting the trends in 2022.
According to a recent report by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, this surge underscores a concerning trajectory in cybercrime, particularly targeting mobile devices.
Key findings from the report reveal that Android users bore the brunt of these attacks, with a notable 32% surge in mobile banking Trojans. Among these, the most prevalent was Bian.h, constituting a staggering 22% of all Android attacks.
Geographically, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan stood out with the highest proportion of users encountering banking Trojans, while Turkey emerged as the epicentre of mobile banking malware attacks, affecting nearly three percent of users.
While mobile threats escalated, there was a contrasting trend in PC malware, which saw an 11% decline in affected users in 2023. Notable malware families targeting PCs included Ramnit and Zbot, accounting for over 50% of affected users, with consumers comprising the majority of targets at 61.2%.
Financial phishing also remained a significant threat, constituting over a quarter of all phishing attacks on both corporate and home users. E-shop brands emerged as prime bait, with PayPal phishing dominating electronic payment systems, representing over half of all phishing attempts.
Cryptocurrency-related scams witnessed a notable 16% year-on-year growth, with scammers impersonating cryptocurrency exchanges and large enterprises to lure victims. Igor Golovin, a security expert at Kaspersky, commented on this alarming trend, highlighting the evolving tactics of cybercriminals and stressing the importance of heightened vigilance and updated security measures.
To mitigate the risks posed by mobile malware, Kaspersky recommends downloading apps only from official stores, scrutinizing app permissions, and deploying reliable security solutions to detect malicious activity.
“Money has always been a magnet for cybercriminals, and a substantial portion of malware attacks are financially motivated. The surge in mobile malware witnessed last year highlights a concerning trend in cybercrime. With the emergence of new and aggressive malware strains, attackers are evolving their tactics to target mobile devices more aggressively. This underscores the imperative for individuals and businesses to maintain heightened vigilance, update protective measures, and fortify device security accordingly,” commented Igor Golovin, a security expert at Kaspersky.
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