Cybersecurity company Acronis has released its latestCyber Threat Reportfor the first semester of 2024, which revealed a significant increase in malware threats in Brazil. According to the semiannual report, the country consistently recorded high percentages of normalized malware detections.
Such growth has made the country the second biggest target for criminals using this type of cyber threat, behind only the USA.
- January 202422.6%
- February 202423.3%
- March 202431.1%
- April 202431.7%
- May 202428.0%
Brazil also ranked 4th among the top 15 countries – where Acronis is present – in terms of blocked URLs, with 21.8% of them blocked in April 2024 alone.
"The rising malware detection rates in Brazil are a clear sign that organizations need to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses," said Gaidar Magdanurov, president of Acronis. "The report emphasizes the importance of security awareness training and the consolidation of solutions for effective cyber resilience. Educating employees about best cybersecurity practices and investing in integrated security measures, such as Acronis XDR, can significantly enhance protection and reduce costs," he added.
Based on data collected from over 1,000,000 unique endpoints globally, the report made it clear that the high malware detection rates in Brazil are an indication that there is a deficit in the country's cybersecurity and that there is an urgent need to create more effective barriers and measures to face these attacks.
Detailed view of cyber threat trends
- Rise of ransomware: With a 23% increase in cases, ransomware remains a major threat to small and medium-sized businesses, including critical sectors such as government and healthcare.
- Email attacksCompared to the first half of 2023, email attacks increased by an incredible 293%. Tal fato highlights the need for advanced email security solutions to protect against phishing and malware.
- Use of AI in Cyber Attacks: While artificial intelligence has not taken over the entire cyberattack chain, its use in creating sophisticated, customized malware is growing.
- Short-lived malware: The average lifespan of a malware sample as of June 2024 was just 2.3 days, which emphasizes the rapidly evolving nature of cyber threats.
