07 Oct ESET reveals top cyber threats of 2024

ESET released its Threat Report for the first half of 2024.

The report sheds light on the current cyber threat landscape faced by businesses and individuals worldwide.

It highlights several significant trends and developments in cybersecurity, including the increasing use of generative AI tools in cybercrime. The report emphasises the need for vigilance as cybercriminals employ more dynamic and sophisticated methods against their targets.

It also reveals a range of sophisticated cyber threats across multiple regions, demonstrating the global scale and urgency of today’s cybersecurity challenges.

One of the key findings is the emergence of GoldDigger and GoldDiggerPlus malware, targeting Android and iOS devices. These threats, initially identified in Southeast Asia, have now spread to other regions, including Latin America and South Africa.

They are known for impersonating financial apps to steal facial recognition data for fraudulent transactions.

Another critical issue highlighted is the exploitation of vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins by cybercriminal groups like the Balada Injector gang.

With over 20,000 websites affected globally, this threat underscores the ongoing risks associated with widely used content management systems.

The report also points out the growing use of generative AI tools by cybercriminals, who are increasingly leveraging the popularity of AI to distribute malware. There are instances of malware disguised as AI assistants and tools being used to steal social media credentials and cryptowallet information. This reflects a concerning trend where innovation in technology is paralleled by innovation in cybercrime.