CyberSecurity Report: Over 100 million Windows-Targeted Malware Programs Developed in 2021

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In the first 11 months of 2021, hackers developed more than 107 million pieces of malware targeted at Windows-based services, according to a new report from Atlas VPN. That’s an 18% increase over the number of threats reported in 2020.

The growth in Windows-targeted malware is nothing new. According to Atlas VPN, the number of threats has increased steadily since 2012, typically at about 23% per year.

There are many different pathways threat actors take to infect devices within a business or organization. Malware is hidden in more places than one can imagine, whether it is a spear-phishing attempt or a file downloaded from a website set up by scammers.

Atlas VPN advised consumers to install OS updates as soon as possible, because nearly every one includes a security patch. Updated built-in or third-party security systems, like firewalls, antiviruses and other threat protection software stops most attacks, but cybercriminals are undeterred. They can buy ready-made malware code, customize it to their needs with a little coding, creating

“Moreover, the wide availability of hackers-for-hire made prices ridiculously cheap,” Atlas VPN said in the report. “For example, one of our earlier analyses uncovered that hiring attacks on the dark web cost as little as $250 per attack. Similarly, the cost of a spear-phishing attack might range from $100 to $1,000. Spearphishing differs from other phishing attempts in that it is directed at a specific target, whether it is an organization or a person. Targeted attacks have a much higher success rate than those sent out in bulk.”