Most Malware Infections Occur Via Email and These Files Every Detail
According to a recent analysis, PDF attachments are the most common malicious email attachment format that will be used to spread malware through email over 66% of the time in 2022.
Between November 2022 and April 2023, domains associated to the AI chatbot ChatGPT showed a 910 percent spike in monthly registrations, according to Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 researchers.
Attempts to imitate ChatGPT via squatting domains—website names that are purposefully registered to resemble similar to a well-known brand or product—also increased significantly, according to researchers, by 17,818 percent.
“Given that millions of people utilize ChatGPT, it is not unexpected that we have seen an increase in ChatGPT-related frauds over the last year as hackers profit on the buzz around AI. But the most popular method for thieves to spread malware remains the trusted email PDF, according to Sean Duca, VP and Regional Chief Security Officer at Palo Alto Networks.
According to the survey, hackers were also shown to be more likely to target users of pornographic websites (20.2%) and financial services websites (13.9%) using recently registered domains (NRDs).
The exploitation of vulnerabilities has grown by 55% in 2022 as compared to 2021.
The average number of assaults per customer in the industrial, utilities, and energy sectors surged by 238% between 2021 and 2022, according to experts.
“Threat actors continually adapt their strategies, using evasion devices and camouflage techniques to avoid discovery. Anil Valluri, Regional Vice President, India & SAARC at Palo Alto Networks, said that organizations must protect themselves against malware created to take advantage of outdated vulnerabilities while deliberately avoiding sophisticated new assaults.
