2017 saw more malware samples created each day than in the entire 20th century.
In addition, the targets for these malwarae variants have changed, the techniques have become more sophisticated, the attack vectors have multiplied, and the tools are more precisely designed, with attackers meticulously studying their victims to adapt their strategy and achieve the greatest possible impact.
Cyberattacks seen in 2017 highlight the efficiency, effectiveness and profitability of cybercriminals efforts.
Panda Security’s malware research facility, PandaLabs analysed 75-million new, distinct malware files from January to October 2017, translating to 285 000 samples every day.
Typically, African organisations believed they were immune to the kind of attacks faced in the rest of the world. However, the data from PandaLabs indicates African countries have indeed been the target of cybercrime – including Algeria, Egypt and South Africa which all fall into the top 10 targeted regions.
Cybersecurity events that occurred this year have proven that the traditional security model is not able to detect and prevent advanced threats. Hackers are constantly adapting malware variants to avoid detection — a major change we saw in 2017 is the removal of the human element as a success factor in cyber-attacks.
Attacks can now react in realtime to the victims’ network and adapt, without human interaction to achieve their goal.
* Stealth attacks with lateral movements have become common.
* Fileless attacks have become more prominent, and remain invisible to traditional protection models.
* Tool kits are increasingly being use to efficiently create new malware vectors.
* Cybercriminals are targeting endpoints in response to enterprise mobility shifts.
* Large presence of organised cybercrime.
* Increased instances of cyberwarfare and cybercrime.
The number of malware samples seen in 2017 has increased exponentially. This is not only due to an actual increase in malware, but also due to the success of new techniques used by hackers — changing elements of previously developed malware, making it quicker and easier to create. Of over 75 000 new samples of malware analysed per day by PandaLabs, these were the top 10 malware samples.
Panda Security makes the following cybersecurity predictions for 2018:
* Cyberwarfare is a reality we already face. What will change in 2018 is the likelihood of collateral damage from these attacks. The internet has no borders and attacks can spread across the world — affecting more than the original target.
* Fileless attacks will become widely used by hackers to avoid detection.
* Mobile devices will be targeted as hackers try take advantage of the vulnerabilities that surrounding the mobile workforce.
* Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are increasingly being used as a means of digital payment. These currencies will continue to increase in value and usability, and are likely to become targets for cybercriminals.
