The latest Kaspersky Security Bulletin shows a 5 percent increase in malware and a 181 percent increase in ransomware compared to 2021. That is an average of about 400.000 malware files per day or almost 5 malware samples per second.
Kaspersky experts see an increase in the spread of malware and ransomware. In 2022, for example, Kaspersky protection solutions detected an average of around 400.000 malicious files that were circulated per day - an increase of five percent compared to 2021. Cybersecurity experts also noted an increase in the spread of ransomware over the same period by 181 percent. These results come, among other things, from Kaspersky Security Bulletin (KSB). – the annual forecasts and analyzes of important changes in the world of cybersecurity.
A new malware almost every 5 seconds
The security solutions from the Kaspersky portfolio have discovered an average of 400.000 new malicious files per day over the past ten months. A recorded increase of five percent compared to the previous year, when approximately 380.000 such files were discovered every day. This means that since 2019, the number of widespread malicious programs has increased continuously. In addition, Kaspersky identified a total of around 2022 million malicious files in 122 - 6 million more than in the previous year.
🔎 2022: Every day the network was flooded with 400.000 new malware files - ransomware even increased by over 180 percent (Image: Kaspersky).
Kaspersky experts also noted that the rate of ransomware detected daily increased by 9.500 percent year-on-year, with 181 encrypted files per day. Additionally, Kaspersky security solutions also saw a 142 percent increase in downloaders — malicious programs that install new versions of malware or unwanted applications onto infected devices.
Windows remains the main target of attackers
Across all platforms, Windows continues to be the primary target of cyberattacks. This year, Kaspersky experts detected an average of almost 320.000 malicious files targeting Windows devices. Of all the malware spread, 85 percent targeted Windows users. However, Windows is not the only popular platform for cybercriminals: the proportion of malicious files in Microsoft Office format distributed every day has more than doubled this year (236 percent growth).
XNUMX% increase in Android malware
Also, the share of malicious files targeting the Android platform increased by XNUMX percent. Thus, not only Windows and Office users, but also Android users have become a popular target for cybercriminals this year. The most famous examples are the notorious Harly and Triada Trojan campaigns that thousands of Android users around the world faced.
"Considering how fast the threat landscape is expanding and how many new devices are used every day, it is quite possible that in the coming year we will not detect 400.000 malicious files per day, but half a million," comments Vladimir Kuskov, Head of Anti-Malware Research at Kaspersky. “Also of concern is the development of Malware-as-a-Service, with which even inexperienced fraudsters who have no programming knowledge can attack devices. Becoming a cyber criminal has never been easier. It is therefore all the more important not only for large companies, but also for each individual user to use reliable security solutions to protect themselves from possible threats and not become the victim of a cyber attack.”
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About Kaspersky Kaspersky is an international cybersecurity company founded in 1997. Kaspersky's in-depth threat intelligence and security expertise serve as the basis for innovative security solutions and services to protect companies, critical infrastructures, governments and private users worldwide. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection as well as a range of specialized security solutions and services to defend against complex and evolving cyber threats. Kaspersky technologies protect over 400 million users and 250.000 corporate customers. More information about Kaspersky can be found at www.kaspersky.com/