Kaspersky's report notes a steady increase in the number of attacks on mobile devices, reaching nearly 33.8 million attacks, representing a 50% increase compared to the previous year. The most prevalent threat to these devices was adware, accounting for 40.8% of all detected attacks.
As international leaders in the mobile telecommunications sector gather in Barcelona for the Mobile World Congress, Kaspersky releases a report on the escalating threats observed in the landscape of mobile tools and technologies.
The specialist in information systems protection highlights the growing prevalence of risks associated with mobile security, as well as the advancements in malicious tools and technologies. According to experts, attacks targeting mobile devices are on the rise. In 2023 alone, the number of attacks targeting mobile devices reached a significant score of 33,790,599, marking a significant increase of nearly 52% compared to the 22,255,956 attacks recorded in 2022. Among the countries most affected by these attacks, France recorded no less than 307,023 incidents. In Morocco, some 56,647 cases were reported, while Tunisia documented 12,140 attacks. These figures underscore the increased need to protect mobile devices across different regions of the world.
The most widespread threat on mobile devices is adware, a type of malware that displays intrusive advertisements, accounting for 40.8% of all detected threats. Regarding banking Trojans, the number of installations of these malicious software decreased to 153,682, after experiencing a sharp increase last year, when this figure had doubled. Meanwhile, the number of attacks targeting online banking services remained relatively stable.
Cybercriminals frequently disseminate mobile threats through official and unofficial app stores. In 2023, Kaspersky experts noticed that many malicious applications were available on Google Play. One of the most common strategies observed in 2023 was to exploit fake investment apps and implement social engineering tactics to extract users' personal data, primarily their phone numbers and full names, which were then added to databases used for phone fraud purposes. Attacks carried out through malicious apps designed to steal user data on WhatsApp and Telegram are also widespread.
"The surge in malicious software and risky software on Android throughout 2023 represents a concerning shift, following a relatively quiet period. This increase, reaching levels similar to those seen at the beginning of 2021, underscores the significant threat users are facing. It's a stark reminder that vigilance is key and robust security measures must be implemented to protect against evolving cyber threats," comments Anton Kivva, mobile security expert at Kaspersky.
Full report on mobile threats in 2023 : Securelist.
