Ethiopia, Uganda, Angola, Ghana, and Nigeria: Africa’s Most…

Check Point Software Technologies’ Global Threat Index for December 2024 highlights Ethiopia as the most attacked African nation, followed by Uganda, Angola, Ghana, and Nigeria. Emerging ransomware groups like FunkSec demonstrate increasing sophistication in cybercrime, utilizing AI technologies. The findings emphasize the urgent need for organizations to enhance their cybersecurity measures to deal with sophisticated attacks.

Check Point Software Technologies has published its Global Threat Index for December 2024, revealing a concerning trend in cybercrime across Africa. During this month, eight African nations ranked among the continent’s 20 most targeted by cyberattacks, with Ethiopia leading the pack, holding a Normalised Risk Index of 98.2 out of 106 countries. Other nations such as Uganda, Angola, Ghana, and Nigeria also featured prominently in the rankings.

In the latest findings, Uganda occupied the 8th position with a Normalised Risk Index of 68.2, while Angola was at 9th place with 66.2. Ghana secured the 11th position, recording 62.7, followed closely by Nigeria at 13th with 62.3. Notably, Kenya’s position improved to 17th with a Normalised Risk Index of 57.6, Mozambique came in at 18th with 56.9, and Cote d’Ivoire rounded out the list at 20th with a score of 55.6.

The report highlighted a significant escalation in malware activities, primarily driven by FunkSec, an emergent ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operator. This group has employed Artificial Intelligence to bolster its operations, along with established malware threats like FakeUpdates and AgentTesla. FunkSec became the most prolific ransomware group in December, linked to 14% of all recorded attacks.

FunkSec’s ties to Algeria were noted, as the group’s motives appear to be rooted in both financial benefits and hacktivist principles. Despite surpassing other groups in the number of published victim cases, Check Point Research has called into question the validity of many claims from FunkSec, noting that some may be recycled or unverified.

The report also outlined the most pervasive malware threats globally, with FakeUpdates affecting 5% of organizations, followed by AgentTesla and Androxgh0st, each impacting 3%. FakeUpdates, often referred to as SocGholish, acts as a versatile downloader, while AgentTesla continues to compromise sensitive credentials.

Maya Horowitz, the Vice President of Research at Check Point Software, emphasized the essential need for vigilance in cybersecurity practices. “The latest trends in cybercrime underscore the importance of vigilance and innovation in cybersecurity. Organisations must leverage advanced threat prevention measures to protect themselves against the evolving landscape of sophisticated attacks.”

The Global Threat Index, published by Check Point Software Technologies, provides an insight into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats worldwide. In December 2024, it particularly highlighted the vulnerability of various African nations to cyber-attacks, with a focus on emerging ransomware threats. The report serves to inform organizations about the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals who leverage advanced technologies to execute their attacks successfully.

The Global Threat Index for December 2024 reveals alarming trends regarding cyber threats plaguing Africa, with Ethiopia, Uganda, Angola, Ghana, and Nigeria among the most targeted nations. The emergence of ransomware groups like FunkSec underscores the need for enhanced vigilance and innovation in cybersecurity. Organizations are urged to adopt advanced measures to guard against these sophisticated threats to protect their digital assets effectively.

Original Source: www.intelligentcio.com