The 2023 Cyber Threat Landscape: 5 Key Trends

Discover the evolving cyber threat landscape of 2023, where cybercriminals shift to quieter attacks like cryptojacking and IoT malware. Uncover key trends and insights with SonicWall’s latest cyber threat intelligence report, click here to download the full report now.

The 2023 Cyber Threat Landscape

As the world becomes increasingly digital, cybercriminals are continuously evolving their tactics to exploit vulnerabilities and target unsuspecting victims. The first half of 2023 has been marked by significant changes in the threat landscape.

Cybercriminals have displayed a preference for quieter attacks, moving away from traditional ransomware and focusing on cryptojacking, IoT malware, and encrypted threats. This article will delve into the emerging trends and statistics surrounding cyber threats in 2023, with a particular focus on the insights provided by our cybersecurity partner SonicWall.

Cryptojacking on the Rise

Cryptojacking, a method of using victims’ computing power to mine cryptocurrencies without their knowledge, has seen an astronomical surge in the first half of 2023. Attack volumes have risen an astounding 399%, reaching over 332 million attacks.

This unprecedented surge surpasses all previous years combined, and if the trend continues, 2023 will be a record-setting year for cryptojacking. European and North American customers, along with government and educational organisations, witnessed outsized spikes in cryptojacking incidents.

Ransomware Declines, but a Rebound Looms

While ransomware attacks experienced a 41% drop in the first half of 2023, hitting 140 million incidents, the threat remains relevant. Cybercriminals have shifted their focus to stealthier attack methods, but a significant 74% increase in second-quarter attack volumes hints at a potential rebound in the second half of the year. Notably, ransomware continues to rise in certain regions, including Germany, India, and government sectors.

Malware Migration and IoT Threats

Malware attacks, though largely unchanged in overall volumes from 2022, have seen a shift in targeting. The US remains the malware epicentre with 1.3 billion attacks out of a global total of 2.7 billion. However, there was a 12% decrease in the US, while Europe and Latin America experienced double-digit growth, indicating that cybercriminals are exploring other targets. Industries like education and finance have been hit hard by malware attacks, with no observed decrease in any of the examined sectors.

IoT malware has surged by over a third in the first half of 2023, totalling 77.9 million attacks. This growth rate puts 2023 on track to surpass the previous record of 112.3 million attacks in 2022. The Asia and Latin American regions have witnessed triple-digit spikes in IoT malware, while North America saw a 3% decrease. India, in particular, suffered a significant increase in IoT malware attacks, with volumes soaring by a staggering 311%.

Decline in Malicious PDFs and Office File Attacks

Attacks involving malicious PDFs decreased by 10% in the first half of 2023, while malicious Office file attacks dropped significantly by 75% compared to the same period in 2022. Microsoft’s efforts to enhance security from cyber threats may have contributed to this downturn, but it remains to be seen if cybercriminals will find ways to circumvent these new restrictions.

Overall Intrusion Attempts on the Rise

In the first half of 2023, SonicWall recorded a staggering 3.7 trillion overall intrusion attempts, marking a 21% increase year-to-date. However, moderate- and high-severity intrusion attempts decreased by 7% globally. Education customers were targeted at alarmingly high rates, with approximately 39% of them experiencing intrusion attempts each month, a notable increase from the same period in the previous year.

The 2023 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report

The cyber threat landscape in the first half of 2023 has been characterised by a shift towards quieter attacks, as cybercriminals turn away from traditional ransomware in favour of cryptojacking, IoT malware, and encrypted threats.

Despite a decline in certain attack types, overall intrusion attempts are on the rise, and targeted industries, such as education and finance, continue to face significant challenges.

SonicWall remains committed to tracking these ever-evolving cyber threats and trends throughout the latter half of 2023 and beyond. As cybercriminals adapt, organisations must remain vigilant, invest in robust cybersecurity measures, and stay informed about emerging threats to protect their digital assets and data from potential attacks. For all the information, download the full report here.

Request A CyberSecurity Review

If you would like a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can help you protect your business with boundless cybersecurity, call us on 0800 032 8274 or book a discovery call here.