- Global malware volume tops 4 billion, flat through three quarters
- Malware attempts dipped 8% in U.S., rose 3% in EMEA
- Cryptojacking numbers jumped 35% globally through three quarters, including a 160% increase in APJ.
- Despite 31% decline in global ransomware attempts from 2021, volume exceeds full-year totals when compared to four of the last five years (623.3 million)
- Customers saw an average 1,014ransomware attempts through three quarters, with a 56% increase in ransomware attempts in APJ
- 91% of IT leaders cited financially motivated attacks as biggest concern
- Capture ATP earns seventh consecutive 100% threat detection score in ICSA Labs Advanced Threat Defense (ATD) Q3 2022 testing
SonicWall, publisher of the world’s most quoted ransomware threat intelligence, released new threat data through the third quarter of 2022. Over the last five years, year-to-date totals have exceeded full-year totals four times. According to the SonicWall Cyber Threat Mindset Survey, a rise in anxiety among security professionals is one of the reasons why organizations are most concerned about ransomware attacks.
SonicWall President and CEO Bob VanKirk stated that being a security professional has never been more difficult. The cyber warfare battlefront poses dangerous threats to organizations of all sizes. It should be no surprise that even the most seasoned IT professional can feel overwhelmed by the increasing number of threats. SonicWall partners can help customers stay secure in even the most dynamic threat environments with the latest cybersecurity tools.
Ransomware attacks shift tactics.
In the first three quarters of the year, the United States has seen the largest decline in overall attacks. The U.K., EMEA, and APJ have seen an increase in the number of attempts. There is an accelerated reconfiguring of the international cyber frontlines in the Asia Pacific region, with a gradual year-on-year increase in the number of attacks. The SonicWall threat intelligence found that the lowest quarterly volume of Ransomware since Q3 2020 was in Q3 2022. Since the beginning of the year, SonicWall has recorded more than 300 million attempts.
It’s easier than ever to make a hole in a computer. Even less technical criminals can purchase ransomware kits on the dark web and target organizations with minimal experience with the RaaS offerings.
As demand for their services continues to grow, there is an explosion in the variety of different tools and resources being offered via illegitimate marketplaces. According to SonicWall survey data, organizations are concerned with how easy it is for attackers to launch attacks.
In the past five years, Ransomware has evolved at an alarming rate, according to SonicWall Emerging Threat expert. Bad actors are getting smarter in the development of evolutionary strains and more targeted in their assaults according to the latest data.
The latest Q3 data in APJ has shown how much the cyber threat landscape is escalating, not only with their method of attack, but also their targets according to Debasish Mukherjee, Vice President, Regional Sales, Asia Pacific Japan at SonicWall. Everyone is a target of cyberattacks and it is crucial that we remain vigilant in our recovery resources and make sure our data remains secure.
The volume of cyber crimes is continuing to rise.
Financial firms, such as banks and trading houses, are being targeted with cyberattacks that are designed to illegally mine cryptocurrencies. There was a 34% increase in the number of kidnappings through three quarters, including a 371% increase in Europe and a 160% increase in APJ.
There is a growing need for Internet of things security as more smart devices enter the digital space. Multiple ways to connect to a network are available to the internet of things. In APJ and North America, there has been a 200% and 18% increase in the number of internet of things (IoT) infections, respectively.
Michael Crean, CEO of Solutions Granted, said SonicWall has more data to uncover emerging threat trends and provide a true depiction of what is happening in the cyber threat landscape. SonicWall’s proprietary data helps us educate our customer base by helping us stay informed. SonicWall’s research helps create actionable steps for us to keep our customers safe.
Machine Learning is uncovering never-before-seen malicious software.
During the first three quarters of the year, SonicWall’s patented Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI) technology identified 373,756 never-before-seen malware variants, a 22% increase over the first three quarters of the year.
The government organizations in Hong Kong were targeted by the Spyder Loader. SonicWall Capture Labs threat researchers were the first to publish their analysis in SonicWallAlert, a showcase of the machine learning-powered capabilities of RTDMI.
SonicWall Capture showcases the perfect threat detection.
In October 2022, SonicWall Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) with RTDMI earned its seventh consecutive 100% threat detection score in ICSA Labs Advanced Threat Defense testing. ICSA Labs tested SonicWall’s solutions using never-before-seen malware samples, many hours old.
To learn more about SonicWall security efficacy and perfect threat detection scores, please visit SonicWall.com/ICSA
SonicWall Capture Labs is related to that.
SonicWall Capture Labs threat researchers gather, analyze and vet cross-vector threat information from the SonicWall Capture Threat network, consisting of global devices and resources, including over one million security sensors in nearly 215 countries and territories. SonicWall Capture Labs, which pioneered the use of artificial intelligence for threat research and protection over a decade ago, performs rigorous testing and evaluation on this data, establishes reputation scores for email senders and content, and identifies new threats in real- time.
About SonicWall
In a work reality where everyone is remote, SonicWall delivers Boundless Cybersecurity. SonicWall protects organizations with seamless protection that stops the most evasive cyberattacks across boundless exposure points and increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled workforces. SonicWall closes the cybersecurity business gap by knowing the unknown and providing real-time visibility. Visit www.sonicwall.com for more information or follow us on social media.