>
Protecting against cyber-attacks is becoming increasingly difficult, with a new BlackBerry report highlighting the sheer volume of attacks happening every day.
During the three-month period between September and November 2022, BlackBerry found that its AI-driven preemptive technology stopped more than 1.76 million malware-based attacks, representing 62 attacks per hour (or more than one per minute).
It found that a number of industries were targeted, including auto and manufacturing, as well as healthcare and finance. The report also noted the rapid evolution of attacks, leading it to change its annual reporting system to a quarterly one.
Cyberattacks in 2023
“Annual threat reports have been a great way to provide insight into overall trends, but now more than ever, organizations need to make informed decisions and take effective actions quickly using the latest actionable data,” said BlackBerry VP for Threat Research & Intelligence, Ismail Valenzuela.
During the period, BlackBerry highlighted one key region that was most affected. The US accounted for nearly a million attacks. Japan and Brazil ranked second and third, respectively, with very few African nations reported. The United Kingdom did not make the top 10.
BlackBerry also uncovered details of the most affected operating systems, and number one was again Microsoft, which continues to be the most attacked operating system. This may be because it remains an incredibly popular operating system, accounting for about three quarters of all desktop installations according to Stat counter (opens in new tab).
MacOS only takes up about 15% of the desktop OS market share, but BlackBerry is finding it increasingly popular with businesses due to its reputation for being more secure, leading to more frequent attacks. The research also notes that Apple’s operating system itself has vulnerabilities.
It’s clear now more than ever that businesses, individuals, and frankly anyone with access to a computer or device that can connect to the internet, need to pay close attention to their cybersecurity.