Latest news with #AcronisCyberthreatsReport
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
India becomes world's top target for cyberattacks
India has overtaken Brazil and Spain as the country most targeted by cyber attackers, according to Swiss cybersecurity firm Acronis. In May, 12.4% of the devices running on the Windows operating system in India experienced malware detections, the highest worldwide, rising to 13.2% in June, according to the Acronis Cyberthreats Report for the first half of 2025. Malware, or malicious software, refers to a software program or code designed to gain unauthorized access to an endpoint such as a computer or a network, and disrupt operations. India's digital ecosystem faces a 'perfect storm' of hostile factors, warned the report, which drew on threat intelligence from more than a million global endpoints or devices such as laptops and mobile phones. Cyberattacks on official emails, known as business email compromise, increased from 20% in early 2024 to 25.6% in the first half of 2025, according to the Acronis report. The cybersecurity firm attributed this to cybercriminals using sophisticated artificial intelligence tools to craft convincing messages impersonating official platforms to manipulate users into divulging sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details. 'Generative AI has lowered the barriers for attackers—making phishing emails, fake invoices and even deepfake-led scams cheaper, faster and harder to detect,' the report said. 'Post-pandemic hybrid work models have left organizations exposed through insecure remote setups, especially when connected with a public internet network,' said Rajesh Chhabra, general manager, India and South Asia, Acronis. The report cited manufacturing, information technology services, and telecom among India's most at-risk sectors. The surge in cyberattacks in India is part of a broader shift in global cybercrime. Ransomware cartels such as Cl0p, Akira, and Qilin have ramped up their activities worldwide, while criminals increasingly weaponize trusted tools like remote management software to spread malware. Cybercriminals use ransomware, a malicious software, to breach and make systems and files inaccessible, demanding a ransom for their release. 'With India now the top global hotspot for cyberthreats, organizations must accept that prevention alone is not enough,' Acronis said in its report. 'Resilience and rapid recovery are non-negotiable.'
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Acronis Report Finds AI-Powered Phishing and Social Engineering Fueling Surge in Ransomware
SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, Aug. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acronis, a global leader in cybersecurity and data protection, today released the findings of the Acronis Cyberthreats Report H1 2025, detailing the most popular threat vectors, active threat groups, and targeted industries in the first half of 2025. Ransomware remains the major threat for large and medium-sized businesses, with new groups increasingly leveraging AI to automate their activities – phishing accounted for 25% of all attacks and 52% of attacks targeting MSPs, a 22% increase compared to 1H 2024. The biannual report covers the global threat landscape as encountered by the Acronis Threat Research Unit (TRU) and Acronis sensors on Windows endpoints from January through June 2025. Based on signals from over 1,000,000 unique endpoints distributed around the world, the report also incorporates statistics focused on threats targeting Windows operating systems, given their prevalence as compared to macOS and Linux.
TECHx
14-02-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Acronis Report Reveals 197% Rise in Email Cyberattacks - TECHx Media Acronis Report Reveals 197% Rise in Email Cyberattacks
Acronis, a global cybersecurity and data protection firm, has released its biannual 'Acronis Cyberthreats Report, H2 2024: The Rise of AI-Driven Threats,' revealing alarming trends in cyberattacks. The report indicates a 197% increase in email cyberattacks in the second half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with a 21% rise in attacks per organization. From July to December 2024, nearly half (50%) of users were targeted by email-based attacks, with spam making up 31.4% of all emails. Shockingly, 1.4% of these emails contained malware or phishing links. Managed service providers (MSPs) have become prime targets, with email phishing campaigns impacting 33% of MSPs in H2 2024. Phishing continues to be the primary attack vector, followed by vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and other remote access tools. This trend highlights cybercriminals exploiting common MSP practices to breach networks and deploy malicious payloads. A troubling trend noted in the report is the rise of advanced persistent threat (APT)-linked ransomware groups targeting MSPs. These groups employ sophisticated espionage tactics, including stolen credentials, social engineering, and supply chain attacks, to infiltrate MSP networks and deploy ransomware on client systems. This shift signals that MSPs have evolved from opportunistic targets to strategic entry points for high-stakes cyberattacks. In December 2024, the UAE was notably among the most targeted countries for malware attacks. The country also saw the highest percentage of blocked malicious URLs (16.2%), followed by Brazil (13.2%) and Singapore (12.0%). Gerald Beuchelt, CISO at Acronis, commented on the report: 'This biannual release from the Acronis Threat Research Unit highlights the alarming rise of AI-generated attacks and the sophistication of ransomware campaigns. By offering actionable insights, this report helps organizations, MSPs, and the cybersecurity industry strengthen their defenses against emerging threats.' The report also points to the security risks associated with the growing adoption of remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools. While RMM tools enhance organizational efficiency, their widespread use has introduced blind spots that attackers can exploit. The lack of proper controls can transform RMM tools into entry points for ransomware, leading to severe damage. In addition to an analysis of emerging threats in H2 2024, the report offers a comprehensive overview of the top vulnerabilities exploited in 2024 and provides predictions for 2025. It concludes with actionable recommendations for organizations and MSPs to fortify their defenses against these evolving cyber risks.
Channel Post MEA
13-02-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Third Of All Emails Received In H2 2024 Were Spam: Acronis
Acronis has released its biannual report titled, 'Acronis Cyberthreats Report, H2 2024: The rise of AI-driven threats'. This edition reveals a significant rise in email cyberattacks; a staggering 197% increase detected in H2 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with a 21% rise in attacks per organization. From July to December 2024, nearly 50% of users were targeted by email-based attacks at least once, and nearly a third (31.4%) of all emails received in H2 2024 were spam, with 1.4% containing malware or phishing links. Email attacks on managed service providers (MSPs) also increased. Not surprisingly, phishing was the preferred attack vector for attackers to breach MSP networks, with 33% experiencing email phishing campaigns. This was closely followed by exploits targeting vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and other remote access tools. This demonstrates how cybercriminals are leveraging common MSP practices to gain unauthorized access and deploy malicious payloads. The report highlights a concerning emerging trend: MSPs are increasingly targeted by advanced persistent threat (APT)-linked ransomware groups, posing a significant and growing risk. These sophisticated actors employ espionage-style tactics, including stolen credentials, social engineering, and supply chain attacks, to infiltrate MSP networks and spread ransomware to client systems. This shift signals that MSPs are no longer opportunistic targets but have become strategic entry points for high-stakes cyberattacks. Concerning for businesses in the UAE, the country was among the most targeted by malware attacks in December 2024. The Emirates also experienced the highest percentage of blocked malicious URLs in December (16.2%), followed by Brazil (13.2%) and Singapore (12.0%). 'The cyberthreats report from the Acronis Threat Research Unit serves as our biannual pulse on the cybersecurity landscape, offering critical insights into the latest attack trends and vulnerabilities,' said Gerald Beuchelt, CISO at Acronis. 'This release highlights the alarming rise of AI-generated attacks and the increasing sophistication of ransomware campaigns. By analyzing trends from the first half of 2024 and providing actionable recommendations, the report empowers organizations, MSPs, and the cybersecurity industry to proactively strengthen their defenses to stay ahead of today's most pressing risks.' The report highlights another interesting trend: as remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools become more widely adopted for efficiency, they introduce significant risks to organizational security. Telemetry data from the report reveals that many organizations use multiple RMM tools simultaneously, creating blind spots that attackers can exploit. Without the proper controls, RMM tools can become entry points for ransomware attacks, which cybercriminals often use to cause even greater damage. In addition to new data and analysis from the second half of 2024, the report provides a complete overview of the top vulnerabilities exploited in 2024 and predictions for 2025, alongside actionable recommendations to help organizations and MSPs strengthen their defenses against emerging threats. Authored by the Acronis Threat Research Unit (TRU), the Acronis H2 2024 Cyberthreats Report offers a comprehensive account of the global threat landscape as monitored by Acronis during the second half of 2024. 0 0
Zawya
13-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nearly half of business users targeted by email attacks in H2 2024, Acronis report
The UAE was one of the countries most targeted by malware in December 2024, and reported the highest percentage of blocked malicious URLs (16.2%) that month Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Acronis, a global leader in cybersecurity and data protection, released its biannual report titled, 'Acronis Cyberthreats Report, H2 2024: The rise of AI-driven threats'. This edition reveals a significant rise in email cyberattacks; a staggering 197% increase detected in H2 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with a 21% rise in attacks per organization. From July to December 2024, nearly 50% of users were targeted by email-based attacks at least once, and nearly a third (31.4%) of all emails received in H2 2024 were spam, with 1.4% containing malware or phishing links. Email attacks on managed service providers (MSPs) also increased. Not surprisingly, phishing was the preferred attack vector for attackers to breach MSP networks, with 33% experiencing email phishing campaigns. This was closely followed by exploits targeting vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and other remote access tools. This demonstrates how cybercriminals are leveraging common MSP practices to gain unauthorized access and deploy malicious payloads. The report highlights a concerning emerging trend: MSPs are increasingly targeted by advanced persistent threat (APT)-linked ransomware groups, posing a significant and growing risk. These sophisticated actors employ espionage-style tactics, including stolen credentials, social engineering, and supply chain attacks, to infiltrate MSP networks and spread ransomware to client systems. This shift signals that MSPs are no longer opportunistic targets but have become strategic entry points for high-stakes cyberattacks. Concerning for businesses in the UAE, the country was among the most targeted by malware attacks in December 2024. The Emirates also experienced the highest percentage of blocked malicious URLs in December (16.2%), followed by Brazil (13.2%) and Singapore (12.0%). 'The cyberthreats report from the Acronis Threat Research Unit serves as our biannual pulse on the cybersecurity landscape, offering critical insights into the latest attack trends and vulnerabilities,' said Gerald Beuchelt, CISO at Acronis. 'This release highlights the alarming rise of AI-generated attacks and the increasing sophistication of ransomware campaigns. By analyzing trends from the first half of 2024 and providing actionable recommendations, the report empowers organizations, MSPs, and the cybersecurity industry to proactively strengthen their defenses to stay ahead of today's most pressing risks.' The report highlights another interesting trend: as remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools become more widely adopted for efficiency, they introduce significant risks to organizational security. Telemetry data from the report reveals that many organizations use multiple RMM tools simultaneously, creating blind spots that attackers can exploit. Without the proper controls, RMM tools can become entry points for ransomware attacks, which cybercriminals often use to cause even greater damage. In addition to new data and analysis from the second half of 2024, the report provides a complete overview of the top vulnerabilities exploited in 2024 and predictions for 2025, alongside actionable recommendations to help organizations and MSPs strengthen their defenses against emerging threats. Authored by the Acronis Threat Research Unit (TRU), the Acronis H2 2024 Cyberthreats Report offers a comprehensive account of the global threat landscape as monitored by Acronis during the second half of 2024. For more information, download a copy here: To learn more about the report and its findings, visit the Acronis blog here:
