Cybersecurity budgets increase but so do incidents
According to a new study, 79 percent of respondents say their organization is making changes to its cybersecurity budget. Of these, 71 percent say their security budgets are increasing, with the average budget at $24 million.
However, the report from Optiv, with research by the Ponemon Institute, also shows 66 percent of the more than 600 respondents report cybersecurity incidents have increased in the past year, up from 61 percent in 2024.
Almost a quarter of HTML email attachments are malicious
When used legitimately, HTML attachments in emails enable organizations to share content, such as newsletters or invitations, that display properly when opened in an email client or web browser.
But a new report from Barracuda reveals that 23 percent of HTML attachments are malicious, making them the most weaponized text file type. Overall more than three-quarters of the malicious files detected overall were HTML, and 24 percent of email messages overall are now unwanted or malicious spam.
Email still the main channel for cyberattacks and disinformation
Malicious actors are increasingly exploiting email to impersonate brands, launch phishing campaigns, and spread false information -- often using sophisticated methods made simpler by emerging technologies.
A new report from Valimail shows that email continues to be the most exploited attack vector for cybercriminals and disinformation campaigns, with artificial intelligence dramatically increasing the sophistication of these threats.
Gcore launches DDoS protection for enterprise infrastructure
Organizations are increasingly faced with complex DDoS attacks that disrupt operations, increase latency, and compromise network security.
Security solutions company Gcore is launching 'Super Transit', which is not a big van but a cutting-edge DDoS protection and acceleration feature, designed to safeguard enterprise infrastructure while delivering lightning-fast connectivity.
Number of ransomware victims increases 102 percent
Ransomware attacks reached a historic high in the first quarter of this year, with 2,063 victims reported, a 102 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The report from GuidePoint Security also records a record high number of active threat groups, with 70 identified in Q1, reflecting a 55.5 percent year-on-year rise.
First quarter of 2025 sees record numbers of ransomware attacks
New findings from threat protection platform BlackFog show the first quarter of 2025 has seen record-breaking numbers of publicly disclosed ransomware attacks, marking a 45 percent increase compared to Q1 of 2024.
Analysis of ransomware activity in the period from January to March saw records set each month. Both January and February set new monthly records for disclosed attacks, with increases from 2024 of 22 percent and 36 percent, respectively while March recorded the largest number of disclosed attacks since BlackFog began tracking in 2020, with 107 attacks -- an 81 percent increase compared with March 2024.
Could cyberattacks leave Europe in the dark?
A new report highlights how growing reliance on digital technologies across Europe, combined with geopolitical tensions and sophisticated threat actors, is creating a perfect storm that could put energy stability at risk and lead to the lights going out.
The study from security awareness training platform KnowBe4 shows the average number of cyberattacks against utilities more than doubled between 2020 and 2022. Specifically across Europe, cyber threats to the energy sector have surged, driven by an epidemic of under-reporting and lack of detection, with recent attacks disrupting operations, compromising sensitive data, and highlighting the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures.
How AI-enhanced cyberattacks are redefining the modern threat landscape [Q&A]
Despite still being in its infancy, it would be hard to overstate the impact that AI has already had on the cybersecurity landscape.
Not only has AI made it infinitely easier and faster to develop a wide range of traditional attacks -- such as phishing, business email compromise and malware -- it has also opened the door to novel strategies and threats. Worse yet, they allow threat actors to develop significantly more targeted and sophisticated attacks, regardless of their knowledge level or skill.
Cyberattacks on utilities pose risk to public safety
A new survey of 350 UK and US utility operators reveals that 62 percent of water, water treatment and electricity companies have been affected by cyberattacks in the last 12 months.
The study from Semperis finds that nearly 60 percent of attacks were carried out by nation-state groups
Free AI tools add to surge in attacks on applications
As organizations race to deliver apps at an unprecedented pace, the rise of freely available AI tools with sophisticated capabilities has made it easier than ever for threat actors to effortlessly reverse-engineer, analyze, and exploit applications at an alarming scale.
A new report from Digital.ai shows that 83 percent of applications are under constant attack, a nearly 20 percent increase from last year, with attack rates surging across all industries.
Browser-based phishing attacks up 140 percent
New research from Menlo Security, based on analysis of more than 750,000 browser-based phishing attacks, shows a startling 140 percent increase compared to 2023, and a 130 percent increase specifically in zero-hour phishing attacks.
Microsoft, Facebook, and Netflix are the brands most commonly impersonated in browser-based phishing attempts. However, generative AI services are also increasingly impersonated with nearly 600 incidents of GenAI fraud identified, in which imposter sites used GenAI platform names to manipulate and exploit unsuspecting victims.
Ransomware attacks up 30 percent driven by AI and RaaS
The latest threat report from Deep Instinct shows ransomware attacks increasing by 30 percent, driven by AI-powered phishing and Ransomware-as-a-Service offerings.
The findings reveal that AI-generated phishing campaigns have grown in efficacy with advancements in reconnaissance and video and voice generation tools.
2024 broke records for ransomware attacks
Ransomware attacks reached record levels throughout 2024 according to the latest State of Ransomware report from BlackFog.
LockBit, one of the most prominent ransomware gangs in recent years, remained the most active ransomware variant through 2024 affecting 603 victims. May was the busiest month, with nearly 200 attacks launched, accounting for 36 percent of all attacks that month.
Web DDoS attacks up over 500 percent
The total number of web DDoS attacks surged 550 percent last year compared to 2023, according to the latest report from Radware.
The average duration of network DDoS attacks increased 37 percent over 2023, with North America facing 66 percent of web application and API attacks.
Attacks on manufacturing up but less than half businesses are prepared
A new study from Omdia finds that 80 percent of manufacturing firms experienced a significant increase in overall security incidents or breaches last year, but only 45 percent are adequately prepared in their cybersecurity.
The survey of over 500 technology executives worldwide shows a heightened risk of cyber attacks comes as manufacturers move to leverage IT such as cloud, AI, and Internet of Things (IoT) as part of their digital transformation -- a process defined as Industry 4.0.
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