Crypto-ransomware has overtaken ransomware as the choice of attack for cybercriminals targeting Australia.
Findings from Trend Micro’s annual security roundup report found that crypto-ransomware rose to 83 per cent of overall ransomware use in 2015 and cryptowall was the most frequently used variant launching on users’ computers through infectious downloads or via email.
The report also found Australia to be ranked third in the world in 2015 for countries with the most number of users who clicked on malicious URLs.
Additionally, Australia was ranked third for most affected country globally for Angler Exploit Kits that accounted for 57.3 per cent of overall exploit kit usage in 2015.
Australia also experienced an increase in online banking bugs, according to the report. The country witnessed 9,292 infected PCs in Q4 2015, up from 1,197 in Q3 of the same year.
Trend Micro enterprise sales and channel director A/NZ, Indi Siriniwasa, said the 2015 findings have confirmed that traditional methods of protecting data and assets should be reassessed to maintain a high level of corporate and personal security.
“The prevalence and sophistication of extortion, cyber espionage and expanding targeted attacks now dictate that organisational security strategies must be prepared to defend against a potentially greater onslaught in 2015. This realisation can help the security community better anticipate and respond to what attackers are trying to accomplish,” he added.
