APAC consistently ranks on top across multiple threat categories
in the first half of 2017
in the first half of 2017
Globally, ransomware, business email
compromise scams continue to plague enterprises; new threats such as fake news
and robotics attacks are growing
compromise scams continue to plague enterprises; new threats such as fake news
and robotics attacks are growing
SINGAPORE, September 20, 2017 – Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global
leader in cloud security solutions, today revealed that Asia Pacific (APAC)[1] had
been heavily hit from January to June 2017, leading other regions[2] in
most threat categories.
leader in cloud security solutions, today revealed that Asia Pacific (APAC)[1] had
been heavily hit from January to June 2017, leading other regions[2] in
most threat categories.
Globally, Trend
Micro detected 82 million ransomware threats and found that on average, 28 new
ransomware families were created every month. The company also blocked more
than 3,000 BEC attempts; and discovered and responsibly disclosed 382 new
vulnerabilities.
Micro detected 82 million ransomware threats and found that on average, 28 new
ransomware families were created every month. The company also blocked more
than 3,000 BEC attempts; and discovered and responsibly disclosed 382 new
vulnerabilities.
In the meantime,
cyberpropaganda reared its head in 2017 – cybercriminals started selling tools
and services that helped create fake content, boost social media reach, and buy
votes that can directly influence elections. Connected devices continue to be a
problem too. In April, Trend Micro discovered the Persirai botnet targeting
more than 1,000 Internet Protocol (IP) camera models. The company also found
more than 83,000 exposed industrial routers and 28 exposed industrial robots.
cyberpropaganda reared its head in 2017 – cybercriminals started selling tools
and services that helped create fake content, boost social media reach, and buy
votes that can directly influence elections. Connected devices continue to be a
problem too. In April, Trend Micro discovered the Persirai botnet targeting
more than 1,000 Internet Protocol (IP) camera models. The company also found
more than 83,000 exposed industrial routers and 28 exposed industrial robots.
“APAC was
targeted by threats and cyberattacks disproportionately in the first half of
the year. Companies in the region need to better understand cyberattacks and
prioritize funds accordingly for effective security.” said Dhanya Thakkar,
Managing Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific, “Based on the insights we
gather, our team has been continually constructing a comprehensive threat
intelligence database and innovating new products that can respond to the
growing threats. That’s why we have started incorporating machine learning-based
smart detection technology into all our solutions and gleaned good results.”
targeted by threats and cyberattacks disproportionately in the first half of
the year. Companies in the region need to better understand cyberattacks and
prioritize funds accordingly for effective security.” said Dhanya Thakkar,
Managing Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific, “Based on the insights we
gather, our team has been continually constructing a comprehensive threat
intelligence database and innovating new products that can respond to the
growing threats. That’s why we have started incorporating machine learning-based
smart detection technology into all our solutions and gleaned good results.”
Key APAC Highlights and Insights:
· Out of
the 82 million ransomware threats blocked, those targeting APAC entities
accounted for 35.7% of all, the highest of all regions. This is followed by
EMEA (25.24%), Latin America (22.66%), and North America (15.71%).
the 82 million ransomware threats blocked, those targeting APAC entities
accounted for 35.7% of all, the highest of all regions. This is followed by
EMEA (25.24%), Latin America (22.66%), and North America (15.71%).
The
successive successes of WannaCry and Petya attacks reinforced the need for
consistent patching for enterprises across all industries. Despite Microsoft
releasing a patch in March for the vulnerability CVE-2017-0144 or EternalBlue,
which WannaCry and Petya exploited, the attacks still infected thousands of
computers in April and in June.
successive successes of WannaCry and Petya attacks reinforced the need for
consistent patching for enterprises across all industries. Despite Microsoft
releasing a patch in March for the vulnerability CVE-2017-0144 or EternalBlue,
which WannaCry and Petya exploited, the attacks still infected thousands of
computers in April and in June.
Other
noteworthy ransomware families that surfaced in the first half of the year
included new variants of Cerber, an infamous ransomware now armed with
anti-machine-learning capabilities; Patcher, which affected the MacOS; and the
mobile ransomware SLocker.
noteworthy ransomware families that surfaced in the first half of the year
included new variants of Cerber, an infamous ransomware now armed with
anti-machine-learning capabilities; Patcher, which affected the MacOS; and the
mobile ransomware SLocker.
The
best defense against ransomware threats is to block them at the source level
via web or email gateway solutions. Machine learning technology such as Trend
Micro’s XGen™ is
designed to detect ransomware threats by filtering them through multiple
defense methods, leading to effective, comprehensive detection even for newly
created, never-seen-before ransomware variants.
best defense against ransomware threats is to block them at the source level
via web or email gateway solutions. Machine learning technology such as Trend
Micro’s XGen™ is
designed to detect ransomware threats by filtering them through multiple
defense methods, leading to effective, comprehensive detection even for newly
created, never-seen-before ransomware variants.
· In the
first six months of the year, more than 436 million malware detections were observed
in the APAC region, surpassing the numbers in all other regions by a huge
margin. APAC is followed by North America (324 million) and EMEA (169 million).
The top three malware found in the region are DocDrop, DOWNAD, and
WannaCry. The most hit countries in the region are Japan, Australia, and
Taiwan.
first six months of the year, more than 436 million malware detections were observed
in the APAC region, surpassing the numbers in all other regions by a huge
margin. APAC is followed by North America (324 million) and EMEA (169 million).
The top three malware found in the region are DocDrop, DOWNAD, and
WannaCry. The most hit countries in the region are Japan, Australia, and
Taiwan.
As
industrial IoT devices continue to mushroom in APAC, the number of supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA) system vulnerabilities is also increasing,
providing fodder for malware attacks. Based on the findings from the Trend
Micro’s Zero Day Initiative program, there exist malware specially made to
target these connected systems.
industrial IoT devices continue to mushroom in APAC, the number of supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA) system vulnerabilities is also increasing,
providing fodder for malware attacks. Based on the findings from the Trend
Micro’s Zero Day Initiative program, there exist malware specially made to
target these connected systems.
APAC
also leads in the number of detections for online banking malware in the first
half of the year, culminating in more than 118,193 malware discovered and
blocked, four times more than EMEA (24,798) and five times more than North
America (20,888). Japan, China, and Vietnam encountered most of the attacks.
also leads in the number of detections for online banking malware in the first
half of the year, culminating in more than 118,193 malware discovered and
blocked, four times more than EMEA (24,798) and five times more than North
America (20,888). Japan, China, and Vietnam encountered most of the attacks.
· Trend
Micro also found that more than 47 million malicious mobile apps were
downloaded by users in APAC, much more than those from other regions. For
instance, EMEA users downloaded 30 million such apps; the numbers are even
lower in North America (eight million) and Latin America (six million).
Micro also found that more than 47 million malicious mobile apps were
downloaded by users in APAC, much more than those from other regions. For
instance, EMEA users downloaded 30 million such apps; the numbers are even
lower in North America (eight million) and Latin America (six million).
· Exploit
kits are another prominent threat in the APAC region, with a total of 556,542
detected within the six months, more than quadrupling the second place – North
America (120,470).
kits are another prominent threat in the APAC region, with a total of 556,542
detected within the six months, more than quadrupling the second place – North
America (120,470).
The
most distributed exploit kits for the first six months in APAC are Rig,
Magnitude, Sundown, and Nebula. Exploit kits normally target popular software
such as AdobeFlash, Java, and Microsoft Silverlight. In 2017, connected
industrial systems became a popular target for exploit kits too. Some of them
can be used to deliver ransomware, such as Rig, Magnitude, and Sundown.
most distributed exploit kits for the first six months in APAC are Rig,
Magnitude, Sundown, and Nebula. Exploit kits normally target popular software
such as AdobeFlash, Java, and Microsoft Silverlight. In 2017, connected
industrial systems became a popular target for exploit kits too. Some of them
can be used to deliver ransomware, such as Rig, Magnitude, and Sundown.
About Trend
Micro
Micro
Trend Micro
Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, helps to make the
world safe for exchanging digital information. Our innovative solutions for
consumers, businesses, and governments provide layered security for data
centers, cloud environments, networks and endpoints. All our products work
together to seamlessly share threat intelligence and provide a connected threat
defense with centralized visibility and control, enabling better, faster
protection. With more than 5,000 employees in over 50 countries and the world’s
most advanced global threat intelligence, Trend Micro
enables organizations to secure their journey to the cloud. For more
information, visit www.trendmicro.com.
Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, helps to make the
world safe for exchanging digital information. Our innovative solutions for
consumers, businesses, and governments provide layered security for data
centers, cloud environments, networks and endpoints. All our products work
together to seamlessly share threat intelligence and provide a connected threat
defense with centralized visibility and control, enabling better, faster
protection. With more than 5,000 employees in over 50 countries and the world’s
most advanced global threat intelligence, Trend Micro
enables organizations to secure their journey to the cloud. For more
information, visit www.trendmicro.com.
[1] Asia
Pacific region consists of 20 research markets.
Pacific region consists of 20 research markets.
2 Trend Micro tracks
four major regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe and Middle East
(EMEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC).
four major regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe and Middle East
(EMEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC).
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