Gen Q3 Threat Report: Millions Fooled by "Scam-Yourself Attacks"
Gen's Q3/2024 Threat Report reveals alarming cybersecurity trends, including a 614% increase in 'Scam-Yourself Attacks' where users are tricked into installing malware. Data stealing malware activity rose 39%, with Lumma Stealer increasing by 1154%. Ransomware threats doubled in risk ratio, while mobile threats escalated with spyware growing 166% and banking malware up 60%. The report identifies various attack methods including fake tutorials, ClickFix scams, FakeCaptcha, and fake updates. Norton Genie data shows smishing attempts (16.5%), lottery scams (12%), and package delivery scams (9.6%) as prevalent threats.
Il Report sulle Minacce Q3/2024 di Gen rivela tendenze allarmanti nella cybersecurity, incluso un aumento del 614% negli 'Attacchi di Auto-Truffa' in cui gli utenti vengono ingannati a installare malware. L'attività di malware per il furto di dati è aumentata del 39%, con Lumma Stealer che ha registrato un aumento del 1154%. Le minacce ransomware hanno raddoppiato il loro rapporto di rischio, mentre le minacce mobili sono aumentate con lo spyware in crescita del 166% e il malware bancario su del 60%. Il report identifica vari metodi di attacco tra cui tutorial falsi, truffe ClickFix, FakeCaptcha e aggiornamenti falsi. I dati di Norton Genie mostrano tentativi di smishing (16.5%), truffe lotteria (12%) e truffe sulla consegna di pacchi (9.6%) come minacce prevalenti.
El Informe de Amenazas Q3/2024 de Gen revela tendencias alarmantes en ciberseguridad, incluyendo un incremento del 614% en 'Ataques de Auto-Estafa', donde los usuarios son engañados para que instalen malware. La actividad del malware para robar datos aumentó un 39%, con Lumma Stealer incrementando en un 1154%. Las amenazas de ransomware se duplicaron en relación al riesgo, mientras que las amenazas móviles aumentaron con el spyware creciendo un 166% y el malware bancario un 60%. El informe identifica varios métodos de ataque, incluidos tutoriales falsos, estafas ClickFix, FakeCaptcha y actualizaciones falsas. Los datos de Norton Genie muestran que los intentos de smishing (16.5%), las estafas de lotería (12%) y las estafas de entrega de paquetes (9.6%) son amenazas prevalentes.
제네시스 2024년 3분기 위협 보고서는 사이버 보안의 알arming한 트렌드를 드러내며, '자기 사기 공격'에서 사용자가 맬웨어를 설치하도록 속는 경우가 614% 증가했다고 보도합니다. 데이터 도용 맬웨어 활동이 39% 증가했으며, Lumma Stealer는 1154%의 증가를 보였습니다. 랜섬웨어 위협은 위험 비율에서 두 배로 증가했으며, 모바일 위협도 증가하였고 스파이웨어는 166% 증가하고 은행 맬웨어는 60% 증가했습니다. 보고서는 가짜 튜토리얼, ClickFix 사기, FakeCaptcha 및 가짜 업데이트와 같은 다양한 공격 방법을 식별합니다. Norton Genie 데이터에 따르면 smishing 시도(16.5%), 복권 사기(12%), 소포 배달 사기(9.6%)가 중대한 위협으로 나타났습니다.
Le Rapport sur les Menaces Q3/2024 de Gen révèle des tendances alarmantes en matière de cybersécurité, notamment une augmentation de 614% des 'Attaques d'Auto-Déception' où les utilisateurs sont trompés pour installer des logiciels malveillants. L'activité de logiciels malveillants de vol de données a augmenté de 39%, avec Lumma Stealer qui a augmenté de 1154%. Les menaces de ransomware ont doublé en termes de risque, tandis que les menaces mobiles ont augmenté avec une croissance des logiciels espions de 166% et un malware bancaire en hausse de 60%. Le rapport identifie diverses méthodes d'attaque telles que des tutoriels factices, des arnaques ClickFix, FakeCaptcha et de faux mises à jour. Les données de Norton Genie montrent que les tentatives de smishing (16,5 %), les arnaques à la loterie (12 %) et les arnaques de livraison de colis (9,6 %) sont des menaces répandues.
Der Q3/2024 Bedrohungsbericht von Gen zeigt alarmierende Trends in der Cybersicherheit, darunter einen 614% Anstieg bei 'Scam-Yourself-Attacken', bei denen Benutzer in die Installation von Malware getäuscht werden. Die Aktivität von Datenstehlermalware stieg um 39%, wobei Lumma Stealer um 1154% zunahm. Die Risiken durch Ransomware haben sich verdoppelt, während mobile Bedrohungen zugenommen haben, mit einer Steigerung von 166% bei Spyware und 60% bei Bank-Malware. Der Bericht identifiziert verschiedene Angriffsmethoden, darunter gefälschte Tutorials, ClickFix-Betrügereien, FakeCaptcha und gefälschte Updates. Die Daten von Norton Genie zeigen smishing-Versuche (16,5 %), Lotteriebetrug (12 %) und Paketlieferbetrug (9,6 %) als häufige Bedrohungen.
- Norton Genie App provides real-time AI-driven threat detection against evolving cyber threats
- Company offers free decryption tools for ransomware victims
- 614% surge in 'Scam-Yourself Attacks' indicating increased vulnerability of users
- 39% increase in data stealing malware activity
- 100% rise in ransomware risk ratio
- 166% growth in mobile spyware threats
- 60% increase in banking malware attacks
Insights
The 614% surge in "Scam-Yourself Attacks" represents a significant shift in cyber threat tactics, with criminals exploiting human psychology and technical curiosity. This evolution in attack methods, combined with the 39% increase in data-stealing malware and 100% rise in ransomware risk ratio, signals heightened cybersecurity challenges that could drive demand for Gen's security products.
The emergence of new mobile threats like NGate spyware and the 166% growth in mobile spyware positions Gen favorably in the mobile security market. Their multi-brand strategy across Norton, Avast and other platforms provides diverse revenue streams and market coverage. The integration of AI-driven solutions like Norton Genie demonstrates technological leadership in combating evolving threats, potentially strengthening their competitive position in the
This threat report strategically positions Gen as a forward-thinking cybersecurity leader, particularly in emerging threat detection. The company's proactive approach to AI-enhanced security solutions and multi-platform coverage (desktop and mobile) aligns well with market demands. The significant increase in various cyber threats validates Gen's business model and could drive higher consumer adoption rates.
Their collaboration with governments on ransomware defense and free decryption tools enhances brand reputation and market trust. The comprehensive threat detection across multiple attack vectors (social engineering, malware, mobile threats) demonstrates strong product diversification, which could translate to increased market share and revenue growth potential in the expanding cybersecurity market.
Report Finds
"In July through September, scams continued to dominate the threat landscape, while data-theft abusing malware and ransomware also increased rapidly," said Siggi Stefnisson, Cyber Safety CTO at Gen. "Our consistent focus is to empower people with the tools they need, such as the Norton Genie scam detector, so they can protect their digital lives as threats evolve."
A
The Gen report highlights a
- Fake Tutorials – cybercriminals use video tutorials on platforms like YouTube to lure people into installing malware while pretending to provide a free download for a paid software.
- ClickFix Scams – under the guise of "fixing" a computer issue, a fake technical solution prompts people to copy a text into the command prompt, ultimately giving cybercriminals control of their system.
- FakeCaptcha – a fake CAPTCHA prompt that copies text of a dangerous code onto your clipboard and instructs the person to install this malicious content onto their device.
- Fake Updates – malware disguised as a necessary software update guides people to paste a malicious script into their system, giving attackers admin privileges.
Together, these Scam-Yourself Attacks form a broader web of deception that's catching millions of people off guard. Social engineering continues to be one of the most dangerous tools in the cybercriminal arsenal, underscoring the importance of security products to help detect and block malware before it's downloaded.
The Surge of Data theft using Data Stealing Malware and Ransomware
While scams have dominated the landscape, data stealing malware and ransomware are experiencing a resurgence. Data stealing malware activity, specifically information stealers, rose by
Ransomware threats also increased, with a notable
Gen researchers collaborate with governments around the world to combat ransomware by providing free decryption tools for victims, and most recently released the Avast Mallox Ransomware Decryptor.
Mobile Threat Escalation: Data Stealing Malware Focusing on Identity and Financial Theft
Data stealing malware also increased on mobile devices in Q3/2024, with criminals having an eye toward identity theft. Spyware, software that gains access to sensitive data and can even screen-record, grew
Banking malware – used mainly to collect banking credentials – increased by
A common denominator for the key mobile threats is their delivery via malicious SMS messages. Avast, a brand of Gen, continues to enhance its defenses against mobile-specific threats, knowing that proactive protection is critical as consumers rely more on mobile devices for personal and financial transactions. To stay safe, people should avoid clicking links in unsolicited SMS messages and ensure they have comprehensible mobile security software, such as Avast Mobile Security, to help protect them.
Norton Genie Insights: Real-Time Scam Defense in Action
As AI technologies advance, they're increasingly used by both cybercriminals and defenders. We continued to observe attackers leveraging AI-driven tactics to enhance social engineering campaigns—like generating realistic deepfakes and crafting highly tailored phishing emails and SMS messages —making scams harder to detect. Gen's AI-driven Norton Genie App adapts in real time to these advancements, empowering people with proactive, real-time threat detection against AI-enhanced deception.
Norton Genie telemetry data from 2024 highlights that after generic scams, smishing attempts –SMS messages pretending to be from banks, delivery services or government agencies, urging people to click a malicious link – are the most common scams seen by people (
This real-time scam data helps Gen continuously refine its protections, ensuring its defenses adapt as quickly as the threats people are facing.
To read the full Q3/2024 Gen Threat Report, visit: https://www.gendigital.com/blog/insights/reports/threat-report-q3-2024
About Gen
Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN) is a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom through its trusted Cyber Safety brands, Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender and CCleaner. The Gen family of consumer brands is rooted in providing safety for the first digital generations. Now, Gen empowers people to live their digital lives safely, privately, and confidently today and for generations to come. Gen brings award-winning products and services in cybersecurity, online privacy and identity protection to nearly 500 million users in more than 150 countries. Learn more at GenDigital.com.
Brittany Posey-Thomas | Courtney Rowles |
Gen | Edelman for Gen |
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SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.
FAQ
What is the percentage increase in Scam-Yourself Attacks reported by GEN in Q3 2024?
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