Unique malware samples spike

Cyberattacks thwarted by BlackBerry cybersecurity solutions during the first three months of 2024 totaled 3.1 million, including 630,000 intrusions that involved new malware samples, which is a 40% increase over the last quarter of 2023, SiliconAngle reports.

Even though most of the averted attacks have been aimed at critical infrastructure, especially organizations in the financial industry, commercial enterprises also recorded a three percentage point gain in intrusions and a 10% increase in unique malware, compared with the previous quarter, according to a BlackBerry analysis.

Meanwhile, the U.S. was aimed at 82% of all intrusions, maintaining its position as the country most targeted by cyberattacks, with over 50% of such events involving unique malware.

Global political events are expected to fuel more cyber incidents, with threat actors poised to bolster ransomware and information-stealing malware campaigns.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the continuing conflict in the Middle East, and global elections will be the dominant variables in how threat actors adapt their targets and methodologies," said a BlackBerry spokesperson.