SonicWall’s Cyber Threat Report Round Up

Each year, SonicWall releases its Cyber Threat Report to highlight the trends and risks that are evolving in the digital world. Here’s what it found this year…  

Key Findings: A Shifting Threat Landscape  

Malware on the Rise  

Malware is currently one of the biggest cyber threat factors having an impact on businesses around the world. SonicWall reports that in 2024  

• Global malware attacks increased by 11%, reaching a staggering 6.1 billion incidents  

• Encrypted malware surged by 117%  

• Europe and Asia experienced significant increases, partly due to vulnerabilities in tools like WinRAR  

Cryptojacking Explosion  

Cryptojacking involves taking over a computer and using it to mine cryptocurrencies, often against the user’s will or while the user is unaware. SonicWall reports that in 2024, cases skyrocketed by 659%, surpassing 1 billion attacks and cloud-reliant industries were most heavily impacted.  

Ransomware: A Persistent Threat  

Ransomware uses malicious software to block access to your computer until a ransom is paid. SonicWall reports that despite a 36% decline in 2024, ransomware remains a significant concern. Threat actors are evolving their tactics to bypass traditional defenses, so it’s more important than ever to make sure your business is protected.   

Emerging Threat Vectors  

2025 brings with it a wave of cybersecurity threats that we need to be aware of. Here are the key ones listed by SonicWall. 

Business Email Compromise (BEC)  

•  BEC attacks now outpace ransomware by an alarming 10 to 1 ratio  
• Social engineering remains a critical factor, emphasising the need for employee training  

Cloud Security Concerns  

•  83% of managed service notifications were tied to cloud-related alerts  
• Compromised credentials identified as the primary entry point for attacks  

What does this mean for businesses?  

In light of SonicWall’s worry Cyber Threat Report for 2024, here are some suggestions to secure your business in the New Year.  

24/7 Monitoring: Traditional 9-to-5 defenses are no longer sufficient as threat actors work around the clock. Invest in 24/7 monitoring to keep your IT systems safe from cyberthreats.  

Tailored Approaches: The level of cybersecurity defenses you need should be tailored to your business and IT set up. Work with a managed IT support provider that can tailor its services to your needs.   

Evolving Defenses: Businesses must adapt to address new threats like cryptojacking and encrypted malware.  

Preparing for 2025  

As we move towards 2025, businesses must keep cyber security at the top of their priority list.    

As a managed IT support provider, Softext can help you avoid becoming the next cyber-attack statistic. Speak to our support team now and secure your business against the next generation of cyber attacks