2nd post on our cybersecurity survey, dedicated to home automation and artificial intelligence. Find out how Europeans use them!

We continue the series of posts on Panda Security’s survey commissioned from IO Investigación, in which we asked thousands of Europeans how they use new technologies, what they think about them and what dangers they perceive (if you want, you can also read the 1st post of the survey on social networks and online influence).

In this second post, we look at the results on internet-connected devices such as virtual assistants and smart home appliances, artificial intelligence and in particular the perceived privacy dangers of using these new technologies. Read more!

38% of respondents use a voice assistant such as Alexa or Siri.

Home automation and AI

Home automation is the area of technology that deals with the automation of homes, in particular the development of smart, internet-connected devices that allow users to interact with their homes and live more comfortably.

Among IoT, Internet of Things devices, those based on AI, or artificial intelligence, stand out. These include home assistants such as Alexa and Siri, but also systems that we do not see and that regulate the operation of networks, devices and applications.

As far as artificial intelligence is concerned, there are various types of technologies that go by this name, but at the moment the ones attracting the most attention are machine learning systems (i.e. automated learning) and LLMs, i.e. large language models such as ChatGPT.

The results of the survey

Here is what we found out by asking more than 4000 Italians, French, Germans and Spaniards how they use home automation and what they think about it:

• More than 9 out of 10 Europeans who have voice assistants use them, although only 25% use them frequently.
• More than half of Europeans (55%) believe that such Internet-connected devices do NOT respect their privacy.
• Nearly 70% of respondents are aware of the amount of data being shared via voice assistants even when they are not in use.
• 62% of respondents are very concerned that these devices collect information and audio on them.

From these figures and the answers of the interviewees, two key concepts emerge: the internet of things is not yet so widespread and people still have many fears related to their privacy and the security of internet-connected devices and AI.

The delay in the spread of home automation devices in European countries has many causes, but certainly one of them is the concern with which many people approach these technologies.

Part of the problem is due to the lack of transparency with which companies and developers communicate what data is collected and how it is used. European lawmakers are insisting on this point, first with the GDPR and then with the AI Act, the regulation that will outline the transparency and security requirements for the use of artificial intelligence-based technologies, which is expected to be approved soon.

READ ALSO: AI terms you need to know

Furthermore, we can point to the following reasons for the low uptake of home automation and fears concerning its use and that of AI:

1. Lack of knowledge: many people do not know or understand well how IoT devices work and what they could do for them.
2. Cost: the high cost of home automation is still a strong barrier to entry, relegating this sector to those with medium to high purchasing power.
3. Complexity and difficulty of use: apart from the simplest devices, the most interesting ones are also difficult to use and require some computer skills that not all people have, especially older people.
4. Security and privacy: as we have said, many users are restrained by the implications for their privacy.
5. Distrust towards AI: artificial intelligence is one of those topics that divides and polarises public opinion. Some see only the positives and the technological revolution it entails, while others immediately think of dystopian futures and machines rebelling against humans.

62% of respondents are very concerned that these devices could collect personal information about them.

Safety tips

Let’s look at some practical tips to make the best use of home automation and AI applications:

• Check the security settings and read the privacy policies of the services you decide to use, to know exactly what you can expect and how to use them.
• Protect your Wi-Fi network with an advanced security protocol, a complex password and by disabling the transmission of the network name, the so-called SSID. In addition, you could create a Wi-Fi network for guests only, to keep applications and home automation systems separate from other people’s access.
• Update your devices regularly to take advantage of all security patches, especially firmware. This part of the devices is the most susceptible to vulnerabilities, but fortunately they are fixed with regular updates.
• Use complex passwords and 2-factor authentication. Protect all access points to accounts and devices with complex credentials, perhaps with the help of a password manager. Use, if you can, a second authentication method such as fingerprint or facial recognition to access critical accounts.
• Monitor the activity of the devices, e.g. running times, the amount of data they transmit over the network, etc.
• Inform yourself regularly about new vulnerabilities in IoT systems by searching for information on the Internet or on our blog.
• Only download apps and plugins from official and reliable sources.

With these brief security tips for home automation and artificial intelligence, you can approach new technologies with less fear, if you haven’t already, or deepen your knowledge and try out more complex (and more interesting) applications.

In this post we looked at how  Europeans use home automation and AI devices, what they think about them and what their (our) fears are. In the next post on our cybersecurity survey, we will talk about child safety.

CONTINUE READING: Understanding Artificial Intelligence

Happy browsing and enjoy using home automation and AI devices!

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Panda Security’s new survey reveals how Europeans perceive cybersecurity issues. We tell you about it in a series of 5 posts!

With this article we inaugurate a series of 5 posts on the cybersecurity survey we commissioned from the IO Investigación based in Madrid, with the aim of understanding how Italians, Spaniards, French and Germans perceive cybersecurity. 4041 people aged between 18 and 65 participated in the survey, with a balanced representation of age groups, gender and region of origin.

The survey comprises 27 multiple-choice questions on five main topics:

1. Social networks and online influence
2. Domotics and artificial intelligence
3. Child safety
4. Online harassment and gender-based violence
5. Data privacy

In the coming months we will publish posts on the results of these 5 categories, comparing Italians’ perception with the real situation and concluding with some specific safety tips. In this post we discuss what European think about social networks and online persuasion. Read on!

What we found out

1 in 3 Europeans (32.391%) say they are not aware of the types of data and the amount of personal information they share on the internet and social networks and the risks associated with it.

The most aware European citizens in this respect are: 

Germany (76.96%), 
France (72.32%)
Italy (62.52%) 
Spain (58.67%).

64% of Europeans surveyed say they are concerned about the amount of personal information they share online and on social media. 

To summarise a lot, we can say that Europeans are concerned about the way their personal data is used online, especially by social networks, and many do not know exactly what sites say about it.

This lack of information and concern results in an increased distrust of large platforms, which is coupled with fear of cyber attacks, data breaches and, last but not least, exposure to fake news and fake profiles.

1 in 5 European citizens surveyed believe news received via WhatsApp chains (20.09%) to be credible.

France is the country that gives the most credibility to WhatsApp messages (28.47%), followed by Germany (25.82%). Italy (55.19%) and Spain (51.89%) are the most skeptical countries, giving little credibility to this type of news.

3 out of 4 Europeans believe that fake profiles that try to influence society are extremely prevalent on social networks (75.08%). 

This is followed to a lesser extent by half of Europeans who admit that they sometimes find it difficult to differentiate between real and fake news (50.63%).

Many respondents admitted to having believed and then shared a piece of news that later turned out to be fake, via a social network or a chat like WhatsApp. A small percentage of people give a lot of credibility to their contacts and sources from social media, but most show a healthy distrust, lacking awareness of the persuasive power of online communication.

READ ALSO: How much do social networks know about you?

What we can do better

Let us preface this by saying that Europeans (especially in the older age groups) know that sharing data and using social networks can have negative consequences. Rather, the problem is that they do not know what the concrete risks may be.

With question 25 of the survey, we showed participants what these dangers are and asked them to what extent they thought any of those things could happen to them or had already happened.

The 3 risks perceived as most likely to happen to them or have already happened are: 

1. incorporation into marketing databases
2. sharing of personal data with third parties and strangers
3. profile violation

This is where there is room for improvement: still many people believe that cyber security problems, especially those related to social networks, affect other people or large companies, but that it is unlikely to happen to them to suffer online blackmail, revenge porn or identity theft.

However, the most striking fact in this section of the survey is people’s relationship with fake news and profiles: most people perceive the problem, admit to having fallen for it at least once, but think that misinformation is not able to persuade people and influence social processes such as political elections or the formation of public opinion on important issues.

Safety tips for social networks and against disinformation

To conclude, we share some practical tips on how to safely use social networks and how to deal with online information:

– Read the privacy policy of the social networks you use and adjust the privacy settings and permissions you grant accordingly.

– Make your profiles private and ensure that only your contacts can see information and content about you.

– Protect your accounts with 2-factor authentication and complex, never-repeated passwords.

– Watch out for messages and contact requests you receive, some of which may be attempts at fraud (phishing) or the start of a cyber attack.

– Report harassment, abuse and other illegal behaviour against you to the platform and authorities.

– Learn to recognise fake profiles and fake news.

– Do not underestimate the persuasive power of disinformation.

– If a piece of news leaves you in doubt, do some online research to confirm it.

– Check the reliability of sources.

– Check the authenticity of news before sharing it.

We started this series of five posts on our cybersecurity survey by talking about social networks, disinformation and how Eurpean relate to these two big topics. 

We saw that many people are still afraid that their data will be used unethically by social networks, but they underestimate the possibility that the security risks linked to social networks may affect them personally.

Finally, more and more people are aware of the problem of online disinformation but, again, underestimate the scope and impact of fake news. As cybersecurity specialists, we invite you to follow our blog to regularly inform yourself about security issues related to social networks and online influence. A well-informed person is a much harder target for fraudsters and propagandists!

Happy surfing and good informed use of social networks!

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Peter Andre says keeping kids safe online is more important than ever this winter, as internet use amongst teenagers’ surges because of lockdown.

As lockdown restrictions sweep UK, cybersecurity specialists Panda Security, is teaming up with Peter Andre on a campaign to keep children safe online this Winter.

Peter is passionate about communicating ways to safeguard kids online, particularly from the dangers of trolling and cyberbullying. The campaign seeks to enable parents to better protect their children from cyber threats, as well as educate them about the dangers that come with children having an online presence.

Having experienced bullying himself as a kid, Peter says:

“We, as parents, have to find the balance between looking over children’s shoulders constantly and allowing them freedom.”

“Obviously online bullying was not something we had to worry about as kids but is rife in the day to day lives of a new generation.”

“Having online security that protects our children is a way for us to be responsible parents protecting them without being too strict but giving them space at the same time.”

At Panda Security, we know that the challenge of balancing parental duties and working from home have increased considerably because of lockdown restrictions.

We also know protecting your kids from online dangers is increasingly difficult; access to inappropriate content is now not the only threat parents need to worry about, mobile addiction and unauthorized online purchases are also increasingly common.

Furthermore, the prevalent and serious issue of cyberbullying amongst young people has been on the rise, even before the pandemic struck. In the UK, 20% of young people between the ages of 12-20 were bullied online in 2019.

COVID-19 isolation and social distancing have pushed these already alarming numbers higher than ever before. According to L1ght, an organization that monitors online harassment and hate speech, there has been a 70% increase in cyberbullying during lockdown.

Top tips for keeping your kids safe online

As the nights draw in and with lockdown restrictions meaning more time spent indoors, Panda Security is looking to raise awareness about the importance of keeping children safe online.

Hervé Lambert, Global Consumer Operations Manager at Panda Security shares some top tips to parents:

1. Talk to your children: As your lids are going to be indoors a lot more this winter, it’s more important than ever to talk to them about their online presence. What websites do they usually visit? Do they have any social media profiles? Are they being trolled? Understanding their online footprint will put you in a better position to help them if they run into trouble.
2. Remind them of ‘Stranger Danger’: Speak to your children about safe internet use; remind them of ‘Stranger Danger’ and warn them not to send anyone private information, pictures, or videos.
3. Install parental controls: These can help reduce the risk of children viewing inappropriate content on the web. They can be used for a whole manner of things such as controlling or blocking access to video games; limiting what children can search online; managing access to social media sites; and requiring parental authorisation to make online purchases.
4. Maintain trust: When you install controls for the first time, you may find your kids think you are just out to spoil their fun and you could lose their trust, making it harder to spot signs of trouble. Maintain a dialogue and explain why you have set these rules, while putting in time to review them at a later date.
5. Remember to be flexible: As your children’s habits change, so will their online behaviour, meaning your approach will have to change too. While tools like parental controls are crucial in the case of younger children, with teenagers, parents need to connect and encourage their them to be open about their online activity.

For more information about Panda Dome Family, please visit: https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/dome-family/

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One in ten of Brits can never tell if something is true or false

Over 60% say their social networks are flooded with misinformation

A new survey of nearly 2,000 people from Cybersecurity specialists Panda Security has found that a worrying number of Brits are still unable to distinguish fact from fiction. According to the poll, less than half of the general population (44%) believe they can either ‘regularly’ or ‘always’ identify fake news, while over one in ten (13%) say they can ‘never’ tell if something is true or not.

Social media networks appear to be the main culprits, with over 60% of respondents indicating this was their primary source of Fake News, followed by the Internet (30%) and instant messaging services like WhatsApp or text messages (7%), as scam artists and conspiracy theorists seek new ways to reach people.

As trust in traditional forms of media declines and misinformation on social media spreads like wildfire, nearly three in five of Brits (58%) believe they are ‘regularly’ or ‘often’ exposed to fakery. And with less than 5% of respondents saying they ‘never’ encounter Fake News, more needs to be done to educate the population on what fact and fiction looks like.

Social media networks like Twitter and Facebook have reacted by fact checking their users – from the President Trump to 5G conspiracy theorists – while Brits are being urged to do their bit and carry out research before potentially sharing something that is fake.

Hervé Lambert – Global Consumer Operations Manager at Panda Security, said: “At a time when communities up and down the UK have really come together to support each other, it is scary to think that so many people are still unable to identify what is Fake News and what is legitimate reporting.”

“If people don’t do their research, then their safety and security could also be compromised. Scammers are capitalising on our collective ignorance by sending out messages, such as fake COVID-19 contact tracing results, with malicious links that, when opened, can open up a gold mine of personal information to hackers.”

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SEATTLE and MADRID – June 2, 2020 – WatchGuard Technologies, a leading global provider of network security and intelligence, secure Wi-Fi and multi-factor authentication, today announced that it has closed the acquisition of the advanced endpoint protection provider, Panda Security. WatchGuard announced the signing of a definitive agreement to purchase Panda in March 2020. Panda is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of WatchGuard, and the combined company will enable its current and future customers and partners to consolidate their fundamental security services for protection from network to endpoint under a single company.

“Our customers and partners need access to enterprise-grade security built for the unique needs and requirements of the midmarket. WatchGuard is focused on delivering these security services via an MSP-focused security platform that simplifies every aspect of security delivery, and solidifying our position as the de facto security solution for the midmarket,” said Prakash Panjwani, CEO of WatchGuard Technologies. “The completed acquisition of Panda Security, and the subsequent integration of its portfolio into WatchGuard Cloud, represents a significant milestone for the company and will result in both immediate and long-term benefits for our customers and partners that will address common challenges with security complexity, rapidly changing network topologies, purchasing models, and more.”

The immediate focus of the combined company is to provide partners and customers from both companies access to the newly expanded portfolio of security solutions. Once the portfolios are integrated partners and customers will benefit from advanced threat detection and response functionality fueled by modern AI capabilities, behavior profiling techniques, and cutting-edge security event correlation, as well as additional operational benefits such as a centralized management across network and endpoint security.

Panda Security Early Access Program

WatchGuard resellers will enjoy immediate access to Panda Adaptive Defense 360, which includes both endpoint protection platform (EPP) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities, and Advanced Reporting Tool products via the Panda Security Early Access Program launching on June 1, 2020. This new program will put these exciting new products into the hands of WatchGuard partners quickly for training and internal deployment, as well as resale to end users.

“We believe that Panda’s people and technology were the perfect fit for WatchGuard’s culture and goals,” said Panjwani. “Working together through the final stages of a major acquisition and kicking off integration efforts during a global pandemic has been a unique experience. Though we’ve been physically separated while working from home, the shared experience has brought us closer together faster, and has further validated that WatchGuard and Panda will be a powerful combination.”

“I’m happy to join WatchGuard’s board of directors, and to continue advising on daily operations to help build an integrated company that provides the industry’s best security solution from network to endpoint,” said Juan Santamaria Uriarte, CEO of Panda Security. “In its 30 years as a company, Panda has developed a strong culture of passion, dedication and commitment of excellence to our customers and each other. WatchGuard’s culture and focus mirrors our own, and as we begin a new chapter as members of the WatchGuard team, I’m excited by all that we’ll accomplish together.”

As part of the transaction, Investing Profit Wisely (IPW) will join Vector Capital and Francisco Partners as a shareholder in WatchGuard Technologies. Juan Santamaria Uriarte will join the WatchGuard board of directors. WatchGuard was represented in the transaction by Paul Hastings LLP and Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira LLP. Additionally, Jefferies International acted as sole financial advisor to Panda Security, and Uría Menéndez acted as legal advisor to the sellers of Panda Security in this transaction. 

Additional Information:

• WatchGuard Technologies and Panda Security: One Giant Leap for Integrated Security

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of network security, secure Wi-Fi, multi-factor authentication and network intelligence. The company’s award-winning products and services are trusted around the world by nearly 10,000 security resellers and service providers to protect more than 80,000 customers. WatchGuard’s mission is to make enterprise-grade security accessible to companies of all types and sizes through simplicity, making WatchGuard an ideal solution for midmarket businesses and distributed enterprises. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com.

For additional information, promotions and updates, follow WatchGuard on Twitter @WatchGuard on Facebook or on the LinkedIn Company page. Also, visit our InfoSec blog, Secplicity, for real-time information about the latest threats and how to cope with them at www.secplicity.org. Subscribe to The 443 – Security Simplified podcast at Secplicity.org, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

About Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners is a leading global private equity firm that specializes in investments in technology and technology-enabled businesses. Since its launch 20 years ago, Francisco Partners has raised approximately $24 billion in committed capital and invested in more than 275 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. The firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit: www.franciscopartners.com.

About Vector Capital

Vector Capital is a leading global private equity firm specializing in transformational investments in established technology businesses. With approximately $4 billion of capital under management, Vector actively partners with management teams to devise and execute new financial and business strategies that materially improve the competitive standing of businesses and enhance value for employees, customers, and all stakeholders. For more information, visit http://www.vectorcapital.com.

About Panda Security

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020, Panda Security is a leading global provider of advanced cybersecurity solutions. The company offers a full portfolio of user-centric security products and services for protecting people, devices, and the networks they connect to from malicious websites, malware, spam, and other targeted attacks. With offerings for businesses and consumers alike, Panda Security offers advanced endpoint protection, sophisticated threat hunting services, and more. Designed for maximum protection with minimal complexity, the company packages its robust portfolio of security services to take the guesswork out of endpoint security. Prior to its acquisition by WatchGuard Technologies, Panda was owned by Investing Profit Wisely (IPW), a Spain-based investment company focused exclusively on software publishing companies.

About Investing Profit Wisely

Investing Profit Wisely (IPW) is an investment firm focused on private and public stakes in growth-oriented software companies. As one of Spain’s leading technology investment firms, IPW leverages its deep investing and operational expertise to implement strategic transformations, grow the top-line by deepening penetration in existing market segments, and expand market presence into new verticals and markets across its portfolio companies. For more information, visit www.ipw.es.

WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

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New Password Manager from Panda Security helps people protect their online passwords and personal information more securely

World Password Day is an opportunity, as it is every year, to recall that the password is still very important for online authentication, but that it has also and above all become the weakest link in terms of cybersecurity.

Panda Security, the multinational cybersecurity company, today launches its new Password Manager feature, within its Panda Dome protection platform. Panda Dome Passwords helps people protect their online passwords more securely, simplifying the process by requiring only one master password.

“Our internet connected devices increasingly hold sensitive and confidential information, guarded by online passwords. These passwords need to be complex in their make-up, changed regularly for maximum security and stored securely,” comments Hervé Lambert, Global Consumer Operations Manager at Panda Security. “Unfortunately following these three steps can be difficult but our new feature, Panda Dome Passwords, solves this. Part of the Panda Dome antivirus solution, you can be confident passwords and sensitive information are protected.”

The new Panda Dome Passwords capabilities mean you can:

• Manage all passwords under one master key – requiring you to only remember one password for all your accounts. This means you can update your passwords more often for increased security.
• AutoFill forms for extra speed and ease – knowing that your information is securely protected by Panda Dome antivirus you can trust your device to store and complete forms at the touch of a button.
• Create military security level keys – meaning your passwords can’t be easily deciphered or connected to you, e.g. addresses, family names or important dates.
• Synchronize passwords on all devices under one account – reducing the risk of a ‘weak’ spot in your security settings and making it easy to switch between.
• Secure notes to store and organize any secret passport number – going beyond password security by allowing you to select other information to be password protected.
• Update your passwords and avoid to duplicate them – saving to duplicate password and alerting you to change your password

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Technology is always changing, growing, and improving our lives, whether it is at a business or a personal level. Digital transformation affects everyone. In Spain, more than 26 million Internet users regularly access the Internet from different devices, but do they always do it safely? At Panda Security, we want to lead our users on the road to digitization, offering solutions like Panda Protection Service.

Save on cybersecurity

2015 holds the record as the year with the most malware created in history. In total, there were 84 millions of new samples detected and neutralized by PandaLabs, with an average of 230,000 per day. One of the main methods of attacks that has become increasingly popular is done by compromising routers in homes and businesses, allowing the attacker to be in control of the device for a continued period of time.

How can we protect our privacy and the privacy of our loved ones? Panda Protection Service was created to provide maximum protection for your devices and those of your family, by optimizing device performance in the most economical way. A monthly subscription system allows users to pay only for what they use with the flexibility of canceling the service at any time they choose.

Protect your digital world, no strings attached

Consumers (currently known as “multiscreen users”) have changed. Not only have their habits changed, but they have changed in the way they interact with their devices, using more than one device at a time to do many different things. Social networks are the main catalysts of user activity. According to the latest study published by IAB, the most commonly used devices that are connected to Social Media are PCs (99% of users), phones (75%), tablets (28%), and lastly, Smart TVs, that are currently present in about 6,350,400 households.

Social media is the primary use of the Internet for most users (to see what’s going on with their friends, to send messages, post, chat, etc.), and can get expensive if preventative security measures aren’t taken. Try Panda Protection Service to safeguard all of your devices… the first month is free!

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In order to stop an organization becoming a victim of cyber extortion a combination of security technology, company policy and training are the most important factors to avoid attack by cybercriminals.

This is why Panda Security has launched its Practical Security Guide to Prevent Cyber Extortion, in which it highlights that European organizations suffer the highest number of sensitive data thefts.

Cyberextortion: a limitless threat

In recent years, the massive growth in cyberattacks has led to companies devoting more time and resources to combatting the problem, and finding a security solution that guarantees greater control of their files.

The majority of attacks that use this type of extortion have different origins: 39% come from insecure or fraudulent websites, 23% from programs downloaded from the Internet, and 19% come from infected emails or attached documents.

One of the most prevalent forms of cyberextortion is Ransomware, which starts with the cybercriminals installing a Trojan program whose purpose is encrypting vital company information. The victim is then advised their information is lost and decryption will only be provided after payment of a ransom (normally by Bitcoin). Although payment doesn’t always guarantee that the company will be able to retrieve their files, or that they won’t become a victim again in the future.

Type of malware: How do they affect the companies?

Businesses are considered the main target of this type of malware, as its aim is to cause as much damage as possible:

• Ransomware, the most common are Cryptolocker, Cryptowall, and CoinVault, which target the integrity of the file stored on the PC
• APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) is a system that manages and controls the security of the computer from inside
• Exploit takes advantage of a security flaw in communication protocols between computers
• Phishing, creates a false URL to steal bank details and identity
• Trojan, installs different applications that allow hackers to control the computer
• Worm, is able to infect all computers

Panda Security’s 5 tips for avoiding cyberextortion

1. Advise your users: keep them up to date with the risks that are associated with not having a good security solution
2. Set out rules for online use at work: assign a series of rules that control the reputation of websites that access is granted to.
3. Design a solution to your needs: make sure you have the right solution for your business, and keep it updated.
4. Establish protocols: control installation and running of software. Also, examine what applications have been installed periodically.
5. Always update: set out an update policy and block certain applications on your computers.

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PandaLabs, the laboratory of Panda Security, both detected and neutralized more than 84 million new malware samples throughout 2015. This is nine million more than the year previous, according to the corresponding data. The figure means that there were 230,000 new malware samples produced daily over the course of the year.

Last year saw the greatest number of cyberattacks recorded around the world, with a total of 304 million samples, which means that more than a quarter of all malware samples ever recorded were produced in 2015 (27.63%).

It was also a difficult year for certain multinational companies who suffered large scale data theft and interference on their IT systems.

“We predict that the amount of malware created by cybercriminals will continue to grow”, says Luis Corrons, Technical Director of PandaLabs, “we also can’t forget that the creation of millions of Trojans and other threats corresponds to the cybercriminals’ needs to infect as many users as possible in order to get more money”.

Most powerful malware of 2015: Trojans and PUPs.

In 2015 we saw that Trojans, PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and distinct families of Cryptolocker spread fear among larger businesses worldwide through massive attacks and the theft of thousands of confidential files.

Trojans continued to be the main source of malware (51.45%), comfortable positioned ahead of the rest of the collected samples: viruses (22.79%), followed by worms (13.22%), PUPs (10.71%), and cases of Spyware (1.83%).

Apart from all harmful Trojans, Cryptolocker (a type of ransomware) was the main protagonist of cyberattacks throughout the year. According to Corrons, “Cryptolocker is the best bet for cybercriminals, as it is one of the easiest ways of getting money. Also, it has shown itself to be very effective, especially in the case of businesses that don’t think twice about paying to recover their stolen information”.

Biggest infections caused by Trojans

Among all types of malware that cause large infections worldwide, it was Trojans that had the greatest rate of infection (60.30%), albeit 5% down on the figure from 2014.

PUPs were also particularly harmful, with nearly a third of infections resorting to trick techniques to fully enter the targeted PCs, far ahead of Adware / Spyware (5.19%), worms (2.98%), and viruses (2.55%).

China remains one of the most infected countries in the world

Last year was notable for being the year with the highest rate of infections caused on computers. On a geographic level, China was the country with the most infected computers (57.24%), a figure that was nearly 30% more than in 2014. Taiwan was next, with an infection rate of 49.15%, followed by Turkey (42.52%). These three countries remain at the top of the infection rate rankings, just as they were in 2014 and 2013.

Other countries that registered an infection rate that was above the global average included Colombia (33.17%), Uruguay (32.98%), and Spain (32.15%).

Nordic countries register the lowest rate of infection

According to the information gathered regarding countries with the lowest rates of infection, nine of them were in Europe, with Japan being the only country not located in the continent.

The Nordic countries occupied the top positions: Finland was ahead of the rest, with a rate of 20.32%, followed by Norway (20.51%) and Sweden (20.88).

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Panda Security, global leader in cloud based security solutions, has announced its predictions regarding the main problems that could affect IT security in 2016. The coming year will be filled with threats that could affect private users, small businesses, and large corporations.

The creation and spreading of new malware samples, aimed at infecting users, will continue growing at an exponential rate, just as we have seen in in 2015 where the number of new samples registered daily reached 230,000.

During 2016 there is a predicted increase in infections via JavaScript and a growth in the number of cybercriminals using Powershell, a tool included in Windows 10 that allows scripts with all types of functionalities to be executed, which could be used to attack users.

Large scale and mobile based attacks

Cybercriminals are looking for ways to attack the greatest number of users and businesses, while achieving the greatest possible profit.

Because of this, they will continue to use tools such as Exploit Kits, as many current solutions aren’t capable of combatting this type of attack effectively, which means its rate of infection is very high. For the same reason, malware on mobiles will also increase, especially for Android, which is the most popular operating system on the market.

“Although Android attacks have been commonplace in recent years, the news for 2016 is the manner in which mobiles will be infected. We will see more threats that root the device, which makes eliminating it a near impossible task for an antivirus, except for those that come installed from the factory”, says Luis Corrons, Technical Director of PandaLabs.

There will also be an increase in direct attacks through rootkit techniques, which allow the hackers to hide themselves from the operating system and security solutions.

Internet of Things and mobile payment

2016 will be the year in which the Internet of Things flourishes, with more devices than ever connected to the Internet.

With this in mind, cybercriminals will carry out attacks on these devices, as we have already seen in 2015 in the case of cars whose software is connected to the Internet, which allowed for the remote control of the vehicle.

Payment platforms on mobile devices will be under scrutiny as cybercriminals looks to take advantage of them, as they could be easy ways for criminals to steal money directly.

“If any of the platforms becomes more popular compared to the others, it will be the first one to be looked at by the attackers as they search for weaknesses in its system”, continued Luis Corrons.

Main challenges for security

In the face of the current panorama, where the number of threats is growing exponentially and attacks are becoming more sophisticated, users and businesses will have to adopt extra security measures to remain protected against the dangers of the Internet in 2016.

What’s more, for businesses there are also threats that could seriously damage both their reputation and finances. Cybercriminals will make it their goal to steal confidential information relating to the company (financial data, strategic plans, etc.), and even information belonging to their customers. Once they have it, they will try to blackmail the company into paying a ransom to get the information back, a method known as Cryptolocker.

To face the complexity of these attacks, and those that await us in 2016, it will be necessary for users and businesses to have security tools and solutions that analyze and classify the behavior of all executables, and that also offer advanced protection to prevent and act against security threats.

The post Attacks on Android and large-scale infections are among the main security threats in 2016 appeared first on Panda Security Mediacenter.