Cyber threat landscape‘is changing’

BAHRAIN witnessed an increase in phishing malware attack and drop in financial cybercrimes during the first half of the year, according to a global cybersecurity firm.

Kaspersky Security Network (KSN)’s in its latest assessment revealed the changing cyber threat landscape across the GCC region.

It found that Bahrain recorded the highest increase of 17 per cent in phishing malware from January until June compared with the same period last year.

The latest findings further disclose that phishing attacks across the GCC region decreased by 16.4pc in the first half of the year compared with the same period last year.

Phishing attacks allow cybercriminals to steal private information and credentials to take your money or identity.

“Bahrain had a slight increase of 2.6pc in ransomware malware over the same period this year,” stated the firm.

“Even with the decrease in ransomware malware in the GCC (40.3pc) region, this is still a prominent threat that Bahrain faces.”

However, the country saw a 40pc drop in financial attacks.

“Decrease in financial attacks is a promising outlook on the cyber threat landscape across the country,” KSN said.

Statistics released yesterday highlighted a 12.2pc increase in phishing malware in Kuwait, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.4pc.

“There is no doubt that within the GCC region, organisations and individuals are prone to various forms of cyber threats,” said Kaspersky senior security researcher Maher Yamout.

“As the world navigates its way through this new normal and adapts to working from home, this change comes with its own set of cyber threats that everyone needs to adapt.

“These findings display the importance of being vigilant about the different malware that could pose a potential risk.”

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/875429/Cyber-threat-landscape%E2%80%98is-changing%E2%80%99