Malware attacks against Internet of Things (IoT) and Operational Technology (OT) devices have seen a significant increase of 400 percent this year compared to the previous year, according to a new report released on Wednesday. The report, conducted by cloud security company Zscaler, analyzed approximately 300,000 blocked attacks on IoT devices over a six-month period and revealed that cyber threat actors are primarily targeting legacy vulnerabilities.
Deepen Desai, Global CISO and Head of Security Research at Zscaler, emphasized the threat posed by weak security standards for IoT device manufacturers and the proliferation of unmanaged and unpatched devices at the enterprise level. These factors provide threat actors an initial foothold into global organizations’ environments.
The report highlighted that cybercriminals are specifically targeting legacy vulnerabilities, with 34 out of the 39 most popular IoT exploits focusing on vulnerabilities that have existed for more than three years. The Mirai and Gafgyt malware families account for 66 percent of attack payloads, creating botnets from infected IoT devices. These botnets are then used to launch denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against lucrative businesses.
In terms of IoT device traffic, the manufacturing and retail sectors accounted for nearly 52 percent. Specific devices such as 3D printers, geolocation trackers, industrial control devices, automotive multimedia systems, data collection terminals, and payment terminals were found to be the primary sources of signals over digital networks.
The education sector has witnessed a staggering increase of 961 percent in IoT malware attacks. Educational institutions are attractive targets due to the wealth of personal data stored on their networks, leaving both students and administrations vulnerable.
According to the report, the United States is the top target for IoT malware authors, with 96 percent of all IoT malware distributed from compromised IoT devices located in the country. Mexico, on the other hand, experienced the highest number of infections, accounting for 46 percent of all IoT malware infections.
In other news, Android smartphones are set to receive more generative AI features with a new Qualcomm chipset. Furthermore, a guide on how to get an iPhone under Rs 50,000 in India is also available. Lastly, a list of the best premium cars and SUVs with CNG in India has been compiled.
It is imperative for organizations and individuals to prioritize the security of their IoT devices and implement robust measures to protect against malware attacks. With the increasing reliance on IoT technologies, proactive cybersecurity measures are crucial to mitigate the evolving threats posed by cybercriminals.
I have over 10 years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry and I have been on the list of the top authors on LinkedIn for the past 5 years.