Email Threats Spike 101%, Remains a Top Attack Vector

Rhea-AI Summary

Trend Micro blocked over 33.6 million cloud email threats in 2021, marking a 101% increase from the previous year, highlighting email's status as a key entry point for cyber attacks. Key findings include:

• 16.5 million phishing attacks blocked, up 138%.
• 6.3 million credential phishing attacks detected, a 15% increase.
• 3.3 million malicious files, including a surge in both known and unknown malware.

Ransomware detections decreased by 43%, suggesting improved defenses, while business email compromise threats rose by 83% using sophisticated AI techniques.

Positive

• Ransomware detections declined by 43%, indicating improved defensive measures.
• Business email compromise detections fell by 11%, showing progress in combating certain threats.

Negative

• Over 33.6 million email threats blocked may indicate a growing problem with email security.
• Business email compromise threats increased by 83%, suggesting an escalation in sophisticated attack methods.

Trend Micro cloud-based email protection blocked 33.6 million threats last year

DALLAS, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, blocked over 33.6 million cloud email threats in 2021, a 101% increase on the previous year. This stark increase in attacks proves that email remains a top point of entry for cyber attacks.

Each year we see innovation in the threat landscape...but each year email remains a major threat to organizations.

To read a full copy of the Cloud App Security Threat Report, please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us//security/research-and-analysis/threat-reports/roundup/trend-micro-cloud-app-security-threat-report-2021.

"Each year we see innovation in the threat landscape and an evolution of the corporate attack surface, but each year email remains a major threat to organizations," said Jon Clay, vice president of threat intelligence for Trend Micro. "The best shot defenders have at mitigating these risks is by taking a platform-based approach, to shine a powerful light on threats and deliver streamlined prevention, detection and response without limits."

The data was collected over the course of 2021 from products that supplement native protection in collaboration platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

Other key findings include:

• 16.5 million detected and blocked phishing attacks, a 138% increase as the hybrid workforce continued to be targeted
• 6.3 million credential phishing attacks, a 15% increase as phishing remains a primary means of compromise
• 3.3 million malicious files detected, including a 134% surge in known threats and a 221% increase in unknown malware

More positively, ransomware detections continued to decline by 43% year-over-year. This could be because attacks are becoming more targeted, along with Trend Micro's successful blocking of ransomware affiliate tools such as Trickbot and BazarLoader.

Business email compromise (BEC) detections also fell by 11%. However, there was an 83% increase in BEC threats detected using Trend Micro's AI-powered writing style analysis feature, indicating that these scams may be getting more sophisticated.

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, the platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 65 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com.  

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SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated

FAQ

What was the total number of threats Trend Micro blocked in 2021?

Trend Micro blocked over 33.6 million threats in 2021.

How much did the number of phishing attacks increase in 2021?

Phishing attacks increased by 138% in 2021, with 16.5 million blocked.

What was the change in ransomware detections in 2021?

Ransomware detections decreased by 43% year-over-year.

Did Trend Micro see any increase in business email compromise threats?

Yes, there was an 83% increase in business email compromise threats detected.

What does Trend Micro attribute the surge in email threats to?

Trend Micro attributes the surge in email threats to the ongoing evolution of cyber threats targeting organizations.