Kaspersky reports 29pc drop in malware attacks in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 29 – Russian multinational cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has reported a 28.6 percent decrease in malware attacks in Kenya which was attributed to enhanced security measures to tackle cybercrimes.

Meanwhile, the firm noted that Nigeria and South Africa reported a 7,5 and 12 percent decrease.

Despite the decrease in regular self-propagating malware, the firm predicted that the region will see the growth of new cybercrime models in 2022.

“The reason for such a change was the introduction and popularisation of new cybercrime models in the region, with cybercrime tools becoming more targeted along with a long-running trend where malware creators rely not on the technical advantage of their technologies over security protection, but on the human factor,” the firm said.

Kaspersky further warned of the huge potential for the growth of anomalous spyware attacks in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria in 2022.

Unlike regular spyware, anomalous attacks occur when a victim’s device becomes not only a source of data but also a tool for spyware distribution.

“The entry-level for attackers who wish to employ this tactic is significantly lower – since instead of paying for their own infrastructure, they abuse and employ the victims’ resources, We see that cheaper attack methods have always been on the rise in the region and cybercriminals quickly pick up on new tactics,” the firm added.

Maria Garnaeva, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky further warned companies of a mass-scale and pervasive fake installers campaigns, where fake pirated software sites serve up malware as a service.

“The scheme is usually the following: a user searches for a free version of an extremely popular legitimate spyware. The cybercriminals are offering them a fake installer using ‘black SEO technic’ – the abuse of the legitimate search engines, resulting in the offering of the fraudulent websites first,” Kaspersky noted.