CHENNAI: Chennai recorded the highest number of cyberattacks in the country during the Q4 2019-20 analysis, according to cyber security firm K7 Computing.
The company’s Cyber Threat Monitor Report said while the ‘infection’ rate in Chennai stood at 42%, it was followed by Patna at 38% and Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata at 35% each.
Threat actors continued to exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software and operating systems in this quarter. Windows XP and Windows 7 were the most at risk as Microsoft has stopped providing updates and patches to these versions.
The report revealed that attacks by rootkits like Curveball, Remote Code Execution, phishing attacks based on Covid-19 trends and DOS attacks were popular. Complex USB attacks also saw an increase; popular among these were crypto mining malware.
“On an individual level, the current risks facing users are fake apps, Covid-19 apps infected with malware, and phishing attacks. The most worrying of all is the new trend of many advanced threat actors offering malware as a service to cybercriminals,” said J Kesavardhanan, founder and CEO of K7 Computing.
Experts at K7 Labs predict that the number of Covid-19 themed attacks and complex Trojan attacks will continue to increase in the next quarter. This will be further exacerbated by the increase in threats from amateur attackers who purchase malware related services to launch attacks at various individual and enterprise targets.
Experts at K7 Computing advise netizens to keep their systems updated with the latest patches, avoid using pirated software, install and use a reputed antivirus product, and practise proper digital hygiene.
In terms of mobile devices, the number of Trojan infections has increased by 14% and these can steal victims’ banking credentials.
The company’s Cyber Threat Monitor Report said while the ‘infection’ rate in Chennai stood at 42%, it was followed by Patna at 38% and Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata at 35% each.
Threat actors continued to exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software and operating systems in this quarter. Windows XP and Windows 7 were the most at risk as Microsoft has stopped providing updates and patches to these versions.
The report revealed that attacks by rootkits like Curveball, Remote Code Execution, phishing attacks based on Covid-19 trends and DOS attacks were popular. Complex USB attacks also saw an increase; popular among these were crypto mining malware.
“On an individual level, the current risks facing users are fake apps, Covid-19 apps infected with malware, and phishing attacks. The most worrying of all is the new trend of many advanced threat actors offering malware as a service to cybercriminals,” said J Kesavardhanan, founder and CEO of K7 Computing.
Experts at K7 Labs predict that the number of Covid-19 themed attacks and complex Trojan attacks will continue to increase in the next quarter. This will be further exacerbated by the increase in threats from amateur attackers who purchase malware related services to launch attacks at various individual and enterprise targets.
Experts at K7 Computing advise netizens to keep their systems updated with the latest patches, avoid using pirated software, install and use a reputed antivirus product, and practise proper digital hygiene.
In terms of mobile devices, the number of Trojan infections has increased by 14% and these can steal victims’ banking credentials.
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