Positive Technologies analyzed the Q3 2021 threat landscape and found that attacks against individuals have increased, along with attacks involving remote access malware. However, the statistics are not all bad, as we will see in the next section.
Some stats for you
- The number of attacks in Q3 2021 decreased by 4.8% as compared to Q2 2021. This was mainly caused by some major ransomware players leaving the market.
- The share of attacks against organizations decreased by 22%.
- Attacks against individuals witnessed a slight rise of 14% from 12%. However, sensitive information was leaked in 62% of the cases. Some individuals also fell prey to APT groups, accounting for 5% of all attacks.
- RATs witnessed a 36% rise in malware-based attacks against organizations. In the case of attacks against individuals, RATs accounted for half of all malware used.
- In Q3 2021, ransomware attacks against the industrial sector plunged to 32% from 80% in Q2 2021.
What does this imply?
The research suggests that although attacks against computers, servers, and network equipment have decreased, attackers found a penchant for data – leading to a rise in the use of RATs. The surge in ransomware attacks against individuals was possibly due to various phishing and cyberespionage campaigns against government agency employees, media workers, and industrial enterprises.
The bottom line
Threat actors are constantly honing their malicious techniques and tactics. In spite of all the progress on the defensive side, the threat of ransomware is going to stay with us in 2022 too. Therefore, organizations are suggested to implement a robust defense to fortify their cybersecurity posture. Individuals are advised to follow general cybersecurity hygiene recommendations to stay safe.
Source: https://cyware.com/news/remote-access-malware-rises-ransomware-operators-rebrand-and-more-attacks-on-individuals-report-795699bf
