India Tops Global Mobile Malware Attacks Leaving US and Canada Behind

India has surpassed the US and Canada to become the world leader in mobile malware attacks. India is currently responsible for 28% of all mobile malware attacks worldwide, up from third position the previous year, according to a recently released Zscaler ThreatLabz 2024 report. 

This spike emphasizes how vulnerable Indian individuals and companies are becoming, particularly as cyber threats increase in tandem with the nation's swift digital transition. Because of the sharp increase in trojans and phishing assaults directed at the financial industry, cybersecurity is now vital for Indian businesses.

India Becomes Top Target for Mobile Malware Attacks

India has become the top target for mobile malware attacks, with trojans making up almost half of these threats. The main cyber threat is to the financial sector, as banking malware attacks have risen by 29% and mobile spyware attacks have surged by 111%.

Cybercriminals are using phishing methods, like fake login pages for banks, in order to steal sensitive information from users.

Indian Banks Getting Targetted

There has been a notable rise in phishing attacks directed at mobile banking clients of HDFC, ICICI, and Axis banks. Cybercriminals are tricking people into divulging important banking information by creating convincingly bogus websites. Furthermore, similar scams have targeted the Indian Postal Service, using SMS to trick people into divulging credit card information.

More Than 200 Dangerous Apps on Google Play

The study emphasizes the larger cybersecurity environment, pointing to a 45% increase in IoT malware attacks annually, which are mostly caused by botnets. Additionally, malicious apps are spreading on sites like Google Play; more than 200 dangerous apps have been found, thereby endangering people everywhere. In response, the Zscaler research recommends putting strong cybersecurity safeguards in place, such as zero-trust security frameworks, to protect IoT and mobile settings.

How to Tackle this Situation?

Even though India is the top target for mobile malware attacks, but it has dropped from fifth to seventh place as a source of malware in the APAC region. The report highlights the need for Indian organizations to improve their cybersecurity as cyber threats grow. At the same time, global cyberattacks are rising, with more malicious apps on app stores and IoT devices being targeted by botnet-driven campaigns.

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