Eskenzi PR ad banner Eskenzi PR ad banner
  • About Us
Wednesday, 4 October, 2023
IT Security Guru
Eskenzi PR banner
  • Home
  • Features
  • Insight
  • Channel News
  • Events
    • Most Inspiring Women in Cyber 2022
  • Topics
    • Cloud Security
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Data Protection
    • DDoS
    • Hacking
    • Malware, Phishing and Ransomware
    • Mobile Security
    • Network Security
    • Regulation
    • Skills Gap
    • The Internet of Things
    • Threat Detection
    • AI and Machine Learning
    • Industrial Internet of Things
  • Multimedia
  • Product Reviews
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Features
  • Insight
  • Channel News
  • Events
    • Most Inspiring Women in Cyber 2022
  • Topics
    • Cloud Security
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Data Protection
    • DDoS
    • Hacking
    • Malware, Phishing and Ransomware
    • Mobile Security
    • Network Security
    • Regulation
    • Skills Gap
    • The Internet of Things
    • Threat Detection
    • AI and Machine Learning
    • Industrial Internet of Things
  • Multimedia
  • Product Reviews
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
IT Security Guru
No Result
View All Result

Mobile Ransomware: An Evolving Threat for Developed Markets

by The Gurus
June 28, 2017
in Editor's News
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Mobile ransomware actors are focusing their attacks on wealthy countries. Developed markets not only have a higher level of income, but also a more advanced and more widely used mobile and e-payment infrastructure. According to Kaspersky Lab’s annual ransomware report for 2016-2017, this is appealing to criminals because it means they can transfer their ransom in just a couple of taps or clicks.
Kaspersky Lab has continued its tradition of reporting on ransomware threats with its second annual study into the issue. The report covers the full two-year period, which, for comparison reasons, has been divided into two parts of 12 months each: from April 2015 to March 2016 and from April 2016 to March 2017. We’ve chosen these particular timescales because they witnessed several significant changes in the ransomware threat landscape.
Mobile ransomware activity skyrocketed in the first quarter of 2017 with 218,625 mobile Trojan-Ransomware installation packages – 3.5 times more than in the previous quarter. Activity then fell to the average level of the observed two year period. Despite a small relief, the mobile threat landscape is still arousing anxiety, as criminals target nations with developed financial and payment infrastructures that can be easily compromised.
In the period of 2015-2016 Germany was the country with the highest percentage of mobile users attacked with mobile ransomware (almost 23 per cent), as a proportion of users attacked with any kind of mobile malware. It was followed by Canada (almost 20 per cent), the UK and the US – exceeding 15 per cent.
This changed in 2016-2017 with the US shifting from fourth to first position (almost 19 per cent). Canada and Germany retained their top-3 ranking with almost 19 per cent and over 15 per cent  respectively, leaving the UK ranking at fourth place with more than 13 per cent.
The rise in the United States occurred largely due to attacks from the Svpeng and Fusob malware families, the first of which is mainly targeting America. As for Fusob, this malware family was initially focused on Germany, but since Q1 2017 America has topped its list of targets with 28 per cent of attacks.
“These geographical changes in the mobile ransomware landscape could be a sign of the trend to spread attacks to rich, unprepared, vulnerable or yet unreached regions. This obviously means that users, especially in these countries, should be extremely cautious when surfing the web,” notes Roman Unuchek, security expert at Kaspersky Lab.
Other key findings from the 2017 Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) report include:  

  • The total number of users who encountered ransomware between April 2016 and March 2017 rose by 11.4 per cent compared to the previous 12 months (April 2015 to March 2016) – from 2,315,931 to 2,581,026 users around the world;
  • The proportion of users who encountered ransomware at least once out of the total number of users who encountered malware fell by almost 0.8 percentage points, from 4.34 per cent in 2015-2016 to 3.88 per cent in 2016-2017;
  • Among those who encountered ransomware, the proportion that encountered cryptors rose by 13.6 percentage points, from 31 per cent in 2015-2016 to 44.6 per cent in 2016-2017;
  • The number of users attacked with cryptors almost doubled, from 718,536 in 2015-2016 to 1,152,299 in 2016-2017;
  • The number of users attacked with mobile ransomware fell by 4.62 per cent from 136,532 users in 2015-2016 to 130,232.
  • The top 10 countries with the biggest share of users attacked with PC ransomware as a proportion of all users attacked with any kind of malware in 2016-2017 are: Turkey (almost 8 per cent), Vietnam (around 7.5 per cent), India (over 7 per cent), Italy (around 6.6 per cent), Bangladesh (more than 6 per cent), Japan (almost 6 per cent), Iran (almost 6 per cent), Spain (almost 6 per cent), Algeria (almost 4 per cent), and China (almost 3.8 per cent). This is very different list compared to 2015-2016 as Turkey, Bangladesh, Japan, Iran, and Spain have since entered the list, all exceeding 5 per cent.

To reduce the risk of infection, users are advised to:

  • Back up data regularly.
  • Use a reliable security solution, and remember to keep key features – such as System Watcher – switched on.
  • Always keep software updated on all the devices you use.
  • Treat email attachments, or messages from people you don’t know, with caution. If in doubt, don’t open it.
  • If you’re a business, you should also educate your employees and IT teams; keep sensitive data separate; restrict access; and back up everything, always.
  • If you are unlucky enough to fall victim to an encryptor, don’t panic. Use a clean system to check our No More Ransom site; you may well find a decryption tool that can help you get your files back.
  • The latest versions of Kaspersky Lab products for smaller companies have been enhanced with anti-cryptomalware functionality. In addition, a free anti-ransomware tool has been made available for all businesses to download and use, regardless of the security solution they have installed.
  • Last, but not least, remember that ransomware is a criminal offence. Report it to your local law enforcement agency.

For help and advice on dealing with ransomware visit No More Ransom. Check out No Ransom to find the latest decryptors, ransomware removal tools, and information about ransomware protection.
Read the full version of the Kaspersky Lab’s Malware Report on Securelist.com.

FacebookTweetLinkedIn
Tags: CybermobileRansomwaresecurityTechnology
ShareTweet
Previous Post

New Research Shows Cybersecurity Battleground Shifting to Linux and Web Servers

Next Post

MP Cyber Attack Further Proof That Weak Passwords Are The Biggest Threat To Data Security

Recent News

Cybersecurity has become the fastest growing start-up sector in UK

UK SME cyber threat concerns on the rise in last 12 months as a quarter admit to being breached

October 3, 2023

The State of Cybersecurity: Cyber skills gap leaves business vulnerable to attacks, new research reveals

October 3, 2023
threat hunting

Threat Hunting with MITRE ATT&CK

October 2, 2023
Guide to ransomware and how to detect it

Guide to ransomware and how to detect it

September 28, 2023

The IT Security Guru offers a daily news digest of all the best breaking IT security news stories first thing in the morning! Rather than you having to trawl through all the news feeds to find out what’s cooking, you can quickly get everything you need from this site!

Our Address: 10 London Mews, London, W2 1HY

Follow Us

© 2015 - 2019 IT Security Guru - Website Managed by Calm Logic

  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Features
  • Insight
  • Channel News
  • Events
    • Most Inspiring Women in Cyber 2022
  • Topics
    • Cloud Security
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Data Protection
    • DDoS
    • Hacking
    • Malware, Phishing and Ransomware
    • Mobile Security
    • Network Security
    • Regulation
    • Skills Gap
    • The Internet of Things
    • Threat Detection
    • AI and Machine Learning
    • Industrial Internet of Things
  • Multimedia
  • Product Reviews
  • About Us

© 2015 - 2019 IT Security Guru - Website Managed by Calm Logic

This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience.

Privacy settings

Privacy Settings / PENDING

This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit.

NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.

GDPR Compliance

Powered by Cookie Information