Gen Q4 Threat Report: 321 Threats Blocked Per Second as Social Media Becomes a Playground for Scammers
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) released its Q4/2024 Threat Report, revealing a significant surge in cyberthreats with 2.55 billion threats blocked (321 per second). Social engineering attacks comprised 86% of all blocked threats, with a risk ratio of 27.7% in Q4.
Key findings include a 14% rise in phishing attacks and malvertising accounting for 41% of blocked attacks. Social media platforms were major threat vectors, with Facebook representing 56% of identified threats, followed by YouTube (24%) and X (10%). The main scam types were deceptive online ads (27%), fake e-shops (23%), and phishing (18%).
Financial scams peaked in Q4, highlighted by the largest deepfake crypto scam that stole over $7 million. Mobile banking trojans saw significant growth, with BankBot infections increasing by 236% compared to Q3. Personal data threats also escalated, with Gen blocking attacks targeting 4.2 million individuals, a 130% increase from Q3. Ransomware showed a 50% increase in Q4.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) ha pubblicato il suo Rapporto sulle Minacce per il Q4/2024, rivelando un notevole aumento delle minacce informatiche con 2,55 miliardi di minacce bloccate (321 al secondo). Gli attacchi di ingegneria sociale hanno rappresentato l'86% di tutte le minacce bloccate, con un rapporto di rischio del 27,7% nel Q4.
I risultati chiave includono un aumento del 14% degli attacchi di phishing e malvertising che rappresenta il 41% degli attacchi bloccati. Le piattaforme di social media sono stati i principali vettori di minaccia, con Facebook che rappresenta il 56% delle minacce identificate, seguito da YouTube (24%) e X (10%). I principali tipi di truffa erano annunci ingannevoli online (27%), negozi online falsi (23%) e phishing (18%).
Le truffe finanziarie hanno raggiunto il picco nel Q4, evidenziato dalla più grande truffa crypto deepfake che ha rubato oltre 7 milioni di dollari. I trojan bancari mobili hanno visto una crescita significativa, con le infezioni da BankBot aumentate del 236% rispetto al Q3. Anche le minacce ai dati personali sono aumentate, con Gen che ha bloccato attacchi mirati a 4,2 milioni di individui, un aumento del 130% rispetto al Q3. Il ransomware ha mostrato un aumento del 50% nel Q4.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) lanzó su Informe de Amenazas del Q4/2024, revelando un aumento significativo en las ciberamenazas con 2.55 mil millones de amenazas bloqueadas (321 por segundo). Los ataques de ingeniería social representaron el 86% de todas las amenazas bloqueadas, con una tasa de riesgo del 27.7% en el Q4.
Los hallazgos clave incluyen un aumento del 14% en ataques de phishing y el malvertising que representa el 41% de los ataques bloqueados. Las plataformas de redes sociales fueron los principales vectores de amenaza, con Facebook representando el 56% de las amenazas identificadas, seguido de YouTube (24%) y X (10%). Los principales tipos de estafa fueron anuncios engañosos en línea (27%), tiendas en línea falsas (23%) y phishing (18%).
Las estafas financieras alcanzaron su punto máximo en el Q4, destacadas por la mayor estafa de criptomonedas deepfake que robó más de 7 millones de dólares. Los troyanos de banca móvil vieron un crecimiento significativo, con infecciones de BankBot aumentando un 236% en comparación con el Q3. Las amenazas a los datos personales también aumentaron, con Gen bloqueando ataques dirigidos a 4.2 millones de individuos, un aumento del 130% en comparación con el Q3. El ransomware mostró un aumento del 50% en el Q4.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN)은 Q4/2024 위협 보고서를 발표하며 25억 5천만 건의 위협이 차단되었다고 밝혔습니다(초당 321건). 사회 공학 공격은 차단된 모든 위협의 86%를 차지했으며, Q4의 위험 비율은 27.7%였습니다.
주요 발견 사항으로는 피싱 공격이 14% 증가하였고, 악성 광고가 차단된 공격의 41%를 차지했습니다. 소셜 미디어 플랫폼은 주요 위협 경로였으며, Facebook이 확인된 위협의 56%를 차지했고, 다음으로 YouTube(24%)와 X(10%)가 뒤따랐습니다. 주요 사기 유형은 기만적인 온라인 광고(27%), 가짜 전자 상점(23%), 피싱(18%)이었습니다.
재정적 사기는 Q4에서 정점을 찍었으며, 700만 달러 이상을 훔친 가장 큰 딥페이크 암호화폐 사기가 주목받았습니다. 모바일 뱅킹 트로이 목마는 큰 성장을 보였으며, BankBot 감염이 Q3에 비해 236% 증가했습니다. 개인 데이터 위협도 증가하여 Gen은 420만 명을 대상으로 하는 공격을 차단했으며, 이는 Q3에 비해 130% 증가한 수치입니다. 랜섬웨어는 Q4에 50% 증가했습니다.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) a publié son Rapport sur les Menaces pour le Q4/2024, révélant une augmentation significative des cybermenaces avec 2,55 milliards de menaces bloquées (321 par seconde). Les attaques d'ingénierie sociale ont constitué 86% de toutes les menaces bloquées, avec un ratio de risque de 27,7% au Q4.
Les résultats clés incluent une augmentation de 14% des attaques de phishing et le malvertising représentant 41% des attaques bloquées. Les plateformes de médias sociaux étaient des vecteurs de menace majeurs, Facebook représentant 56% des menaces identifiées, suivi de YouTube (24%) et X (10%). Les principaux types d'escroquerie étaient des annonces en ligne trompeuses (27%), des faux magasins en ligne (23%) et du phishing (18%).
Les escroqueries financières ont atteint un pic au Q4, mises en évidence par la plus grande escroquerie crypto deepfake qui a volé plus de 7 millions de dollars. Les chevaux de Troie de banque mobile ont connu une croissance significative, avec une augmentation de 236% des infections par BankBot par rapport au Q3. Les menaces sur les données personnelles ont également augmenté, Gen ayant bloqué des attaques visant 4,2 millions d'individus, soit une augmentation de 130% par rapport au Q3. Les ransomwares ont montré une augmentation de 50% au Q4.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) hat seinen Bedrohungsbericht für Q4/2024 veröffentlicht und einen signifikanten Anstieg von Cyberbedrohungen mit 2,55 Milliarden blockierten Bedrohungen (321 pro Sekunde) festgestellt. Angriffe durch Social Engineering machten 86% aller blockierten Bedrohungen aus, mit einem Risikoverhältnis von 27,7% im Q4.
Wichtige Erkenntnisse umfassen einen 14% Anstieg bei Phishing-Angriffen und Malvertising, das 41% der blockierten Angriffe ausmacht. Soziale Medien waren wichtige Bedrohungsvektoren, wobei Facebook 56% der identifizierten Bedrohungen ausmachte, gefolgt von YouTube (24%) und X (10%). Die Hauptbetrugsarten waren irreführende Online-Anzeigen (27%), gefälschte E-Shops (23%) und Phishing (18%).
Finanzbetrügereien erreichten im Q4 ihren Höhepunkt, hervorgehoben durch den größten Deepfake-Krypto-Betrug, der über 7 Millionen Dollar gestohlen hat. Mobile Banking-Trojaner verzeichneten ein signifikantes Wachstum, wobei die BankBot-Infektionen im Vergleich zum Q3 um 236% zunahmen. Auch die Bedrohungen persönlicher Daten nahmen zu, wobei Gen Angriffe auf 4,2 Millionen Personen blockierte, was einem Anstieg von 130% im Vergleich zum Q3 entspricht. Ransomware zeigte im Q4 einen Anstieg von 50%.
- Blocked 2.55 billion cyberthreats in Q4 2024
- Successfully protected 4.2 million individuals from scam attacks
- Introduced new Clipboard Protection feature across Norton, Avast and AVG brands
- 14% increase in phishing attacks in Q4 2024
- 50% increase in ransomware attacks
- 236% surge in BankBot banking trojan infections compared to Q3
- 130% increase in personal data targeting attacks from Q3
Insights
Gen's Q4 threat report reveals several strategic advantages that strengthen its competitive position in the $173.5 billion cybersecurity market. The company's ability to block 2.55 billion threats demonstrates superior threat detection capabilities, while the 27.7% risk ratio highlights the growing need for comprehensive security solutions.
Three key developments warrant investor attention:
- The dominance of social engineering attacks (86% of threats) and increased phishing activity (14% growth) indicates Gen's products are effectively addressing high-priority threat vectors. This positions the company to capture premium pricing in the consumer segment.
- Gen's early detection of AI-powered scams and introduction of clipboard protection shows strong R&D capabilities and quick product iteration. This agility in addressing emerging threats could drive customer retention and upsell opportunities.
- The concentration of threats on major platforms (Facebook 56%, YouTube 24%) aligns with Gen's consumer-focused strategy, potentially enabling more efficient marketing and customer acquisition.
The 50% surge in ransomware activity and evolution of mobile banking trojans suggest expanding market opportunities. Gen's multi-brand portfolio (Norton, Avast, LifeLock, etc.) enables targeted solutions for different customer segments, potentially supporting higher average revenue per user (ARPU).
The report's findings suggest strong fundamentals for Gen's subscription-based revenue model, as persistent and evolving threats drive continued demand for comprehensive security solutions. The company's demonstrated ability to detect and counter sophisticated threats while rapidly deploying new protective features indicates robust operational execution and potential for margin expansion.
Social media, AI and human trust led to a record-breaking year of advanced scams and personal data loss
"We're continuing to see scam-related threats becoming far more dangerous as they hide, sometimes in plain sight, throughout every aspect of our digital life," said Siggi Stefnisson, Cyber Safety CTO at Gen. "This quarter we saw them prey on people's emotions, such as the need to shop on budget during the holidays, the desire to find love during the end of the year, the hope for change during government elections and more. And, unfortunately, this is resulting in people continuing to lose money and control over their personal information. In 2025 we only expect these risks to increase as the rise of AI-powered systems and devices will mark the next frontier for cybercrime."
The Dark Side of Social Media
Scam-related attacks continue to demonstrate global reach and adaptability. Phishing attacks rose by
Social media platforms remained one of the prime grounds for scams and cybercrime at the end of 2024. Facebook stands out, accounting for a staggering
The ways that scammers are using social media vary with such different people and use cases for the platforms. Gen found that the main ways people were scammed across social media were:
- Deceptive online ads (Malvertising) (
27% ): These deceptive ads spread malicious software onto the device being used or redirected people to malicious websites that can do the same. - Fake e-shops (
23% ): People are lured by fraudulent online stores, also exposing personal and financial data. - Phishing (
18% ): Scams aimed at stealing sensitive information like credit card numbers or passwords.
Social media is quickly turning into a playground for scammers to leverage platform algorithms, AI, and personalized interactions to scale their attacks faster and more effectively than ever before. Read the full analysis on social media threats in our latest blog.
Year-End Spike in Financial Scams
October through December marked the year's most active quarter for financial scams, with mobile phones serving as a primary attack vector. Leading this trend were:
- The largest deepfake crypto scam: The infamous CryptoCore group, known for hijacking YouTube accounts to promote their crypto scam campaigns, capitalized on the US Presidential Election. They used deepfake videos featuring figures like Elon Musk to steal over
$7 million - Mobile banking trojans: New mobile bankers, phone applications designed to steal banking information, launched in Q4/2024. This included DroidBot which used remote access capabilities to go after banking details and crypto wallets. Another was ToxicPanda that disguised itself as Visa, dating apps and Chrome. The well-known BankBot banker saw infections rise by
236% compared to Q3/2024. - Spyware and SpyLoans: Malicious apps promising quick money with high interest rates and predatory repayment schedules also surged this quarter. Once installed, these apps request access to SMS messages, photos and other sensitive information, allowing them to spy on the victim. After a few weeks, the victim faces extortion and threats of their private data being published unless they pay the cybercriminals. A new spyware strain disguised as a body mass index (BMI) calculator spread via the Amazon App Store, a novel distribution tactic reflecting the rising number of official Android app stores.
Personal Data – The New Gold
Personal data loss continued to pose a high risk of identity theft and loss of privacy for consumers. Scam-Yourself Attacks, such as ClickFix and FakeCaptcha, grew rapidly. In Q4, Gen blocked attacks targeting 4.2 million individuals, a
To help people stay protected from this threat and keep their data safe, Gen introduced a Clipboard Protection feature across the Norton, Avast and AVG brands that blocks clipboard-based threats before they can execute.
For the third consecutive quarter, ransomware continued its alarming upward trend, with a notable
To read the full Q4/2024 Gen Threat Report, visit: https://www.gendigital.com/blog/insights/reports/threat-report-q4-2024
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.
Media Contacts:
Brittany Posey-Thomas
Gen
Press@GenDigital.com
Courtney Rowles
Edelman for Gen
Courtney.Rowles@edelman.com
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SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.
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