According to Kaspersky’s detection algorithms, there were 400,000 malicious files sent daily on average in 2022, up 5% from 2021. The prevalence of some threats increased as well; Kaspersky experts, for instance, noted a 181% rise in the daily ransomware detection rate. These and other discoveries are contained in the Kaspersky Security Bulletin (KSB), an annual collection of forecasts and investigative reports on significant changes in the cybersecurity industry.
Over the previous ten months, Kaspersky’s detection technologies have uncovered 400,000 new dangerous files on average daily. In contrast, every day in 2021 saw around 380,000 of these files detected, representing a 5% increase. Kaspersky’s systems found almost 122 million harmful files in 2022, an increase of 6 million from the previous year.
Researchers from Kaspersky found that the daily prevalence of ransomware climbed by 181% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 9,500 encrypted files every day. Along with other dangers, Kaspersky security products found a 142% increase in Downloaders, which are malicious programs that update malware or install unwanted software on compromised machines.
Of all the platforms where threat families were present, Windows remained the main target of attacks. Experts from Kaspersky found an average of 320,000 harmful files targeting Windows computers in 2022. 85% of malicious files were distributed specifically targeting Windows. Windows is not the only well-liked platform for attackers, though. This year, Kaspersky’s detection systems found that the daily distribution of malicious files in Microsoft Office formats had doubled.
Experts from Kaspersky also noted a 10% increase in the percentage of malicious files daily targeting the Android platform in 2022. As a result, fraudsters now frequently target Android users in addition to Windows and Office users. Prime instances of this pattern include the infamous 2022 campaigns Harly and Triada Trojan, which ambushed thousands of Android users worldwide.
“Considering how quickly the threat landscape is expanding its boundaries and the number of new devices appearing in users’ daily lives, it’s quite possible that next year we’ll be detecting not 400,000 malicious files per day, but half a million! Even more dangerous is that, with the development of Malware-as-a-Service, any novice fraudster can now attack devices without any technical knowledge in programming.
Becoming a cybercriminal has never been so easy. It is essential not only for large organizations but also for every ordinary user to employ reliable security solutions, thus avoid falling a victim of cybercriminals. Kaspersky experts, in turn, will do their best to protect against these threats and save users from losses so that their daily online experience is completely safe,” comments Vladimir Kuskov, head of anti-malware research at Kaspersky.
More on Kaspersky’s Detection Algorithms
Kaspersky’s detection algorithms are based on three pillars:
Heuristic analysis. This is based on the principle that if a program behaves like a malicious program, it is probably one. It can detect viruses that have never been seen before and do not have any signatures in their database.
Signature recognition. This method involves comparing a suspect file against the signatures stored in Kaspersky Lab’s database of known viruses and malicious programs.
Behavioral detection. This method detects malicious programs by monitoring their activity in the system and comparing it with known behaviors exhibited by malicious software components (for example, processes, network connections).
Staying Safe from Malicious Programs
Kaspersky advises users to do the following to keep safe:
- Create strong passwords using a combination of lower-case and upper-case characters, digits, and punctuation, and enable two-factor authentication.
- Avoid downloading and installing software from unreliable sources.
- Avoid clicking on any links in questionable online adverts. Some of these might include crucial security flaw patches.
Use a strong security solution suitable for your system type and devices. - Ignore warnings asking to disable security systems for office or cybersecurity software. It will alert you to websites you shouldn’t visit and safeguard you from malware.
These findings are part of Kaspersky Security Bulletin (KSB) – an annual series of predictions and analytical reports on key shifts within the cybersecurity world. Follow this link to learn more about other KSB pieces.