• Cryptocurrency
  • Earnings
  • Enterprise
  • About TechBooky
  • Submit Article
  • Advertise Here
  • Contact Us
TechBooky
  • African
  • AI
  • Metaverse
  • Gadgets
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
  • African
  • AI
  • Metaverse
  • Gadgets
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
TechBooky
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Home African

Kaspersky Reports A Drop In 2021 Mobile Malware Figures In Africa

This dynamic is a reflection of the global trend, as cybercriminals tend to invest less and less into the mainstream threats that are successfully neutralised by modern security solutions

Paul Balo by Paul Balo
February 24, 2022
in African, Mobile, Security
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

While analysing the threat landscape of African countries, Kaspersky experts saw a steady decline in attacks on mobile devices in the region, as cybercriminals consolidated their efforts to focus on more complicated, dangerous and profitable threats instead. These and other findings are featured in Kaspersky’s Mobile Threats in 2021 report.

Overall, in 2021, South African users faced 38% less mobile malware attacks than in 2020, while other countries in the region have seen even more dramatic changes of their mobile threat landscape: Mozambique saw a 48% decrease, followed by Botswana (58%), Nigeria (59%), Ethiopia (69%) and Ghana (76%). The only countries where the share of attacks increased was Angola, where mobile malware actually grew by 12%.

This dynamic is a reflection of the global trend, as cybercriminals tend to invest less and less into the mainstream threats that are successfully neutralised by modern security solutions. Instead, they choose to invest more into new mobile malware that has become increasingly complex, featuring new ways to steal users’ banking and gaming credentials, as well as other strands of personal data. For instance, in 2021 Kaspersky detected more than 95,000 new mobile banking Trojans in the world, but the number of attacks using such malware remained similar. Additionally, the share of Trojans – malicious programs capable of executing remote commands – doubled, reaching 8.8% in 2021.

In addition to the strategic changes on the mobile threat landscape, experts also attribute the overall decline of mobile malware in 2021 to the enormous wave of attacks seen at the beginning of lockdown in 2020 as users were forced to work from home. That period also saw increased use of various video conferencing and entertainment apps, increasing the volume and spread of attack opportunities. Now that the situation has stabilised, cybercriminal activity declined as a result.

“Indeed, there have been fewer mobile attacks in general, however, the attacks we are still seeing have become more complex and harder to spot. Cybercriminals tend to mask malicious apps under the guise of legitimate applications, which can often be downloaded from official app stores. On top of that, with mobile banking and payment apps becoming even more widespread, there is a higher chance of cybercriminals targeting these more actively. Staying cautious and careful on the Internet and avoiding downloading unknown apps is good practice, but I also strongly recommend using a reliable solution. When it comes to the security of finances in particular, it is better to be safe than sorry,” comments Tatyana Shishkova, security researcher at Kaspersky.

Read the full report looking into mobile threats in 2021 on Securelist.

 

To protect yourself from mobile threats, Kaspersky shares the following recommendations:

  • It is safer to download your apps only from official stores like Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore. Apps from these markets are not 100% failsafe, but at least they get checked by shop representatives and there is some filtration system — not every app can get onto these stores.
  • Check the permissions of apps that you use and think carefully before permitting an app, especially when it comes to high-risk permissions such as Accessibility Services. The only permission that a flashlight app needs is to the flashlight (which doesn’t even involve camera access).
  • A reliable security solution helps you detect malicious apps and adware before they start behaving badly on your devices. Conveniently, you can get protection, like Kaspersky consumer products, directly from mobile operators.
  • If you are a business, consider taking a holistic approach to the protection of your security perimeter, selecting the most appropriate one for your company.
  • iPhone users have some privacy controls provided by Apple, and users can block app access to photos, contacts and GPS features if they think these permissions are unnecessary.
  • A good piece of advice is to update your operating system and important apps as updates become available. Many safety issues can be solved by installing updated versions of software.

 

Kaspersky calls on the mobile industry to enhance cyber protection at all levels, including security for their users, by providing tailored cybersecurity services. Kaspersky Consumer Business Alliances enable companies to offer their customers complete cybersecurity portfolios by backing them with Kaspersky’s global support and expertise.

Related Posts:

  • Small-Business-Scale-In-Nigeria
    Small Businesses In Nigeria Are Still In Danger,…
  • Robotics
    Nigeria Ranked As Africa’s Second Most Cyber-secure…
  • Financial Inclusion In Nigeria Grew To 45 Percent In 2021 – World Bank
    Financial Inclusion In Nigeria Grew To 45 Percent In…
  • Vodacom-Moz-RESIZED
    Vodacom Debut 5G Broadband Connection In Mozambique
  • router-595x335_0
    US And UK Warn Of Custom Malware Vulnerability On…
  • web3
    Web3 Projects Have Reportedly Lost More Than $2…
  • tingo-PR
    DataPro Analytics Results Rates Tingo Mobile's…
  • GettyImages-1254096989
    ChatGPT iOS App Is Available In Nigeria And Records…

Discover more from TechBooky

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Tags: africakasperskymalwaremobile malwaresecurity
Paul Balo

Paul Balo

Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

Receive top tech news directly in your inbox

subscription from
Loading

Freshly Squeezed

  • Nigeria-Meta Standoff Threatens Small Business Operations May 21, 2025
  • Galileo Wants “Payment Switch” to Strengthen Bill Pay May 21, 2025
  • MTN Nigeria Sues Banks for ₦6B in SleekChip Technologies Debt Case May 21, 2025
  • Nigeria to Release First AI Guidelines Within Weeks, Says Alake May 20, 2025
  • Google Secures Major Solar Deal for Data Centre Power May 20, 2025
  • NIBSS and CAC Launch API to Streamline Business Operations May 20, 2025

Browse Archives

May 2025
MTWTFSS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Apr    

Quick Links

  • About TechBooky
  • Advertise Here
  • Contact us
  • Submit Article
  • Privacy Policy

Recent News

Nigeria-Meta Standoff Threatens Small Business Operations

Nigeria-Meta Standoff Threatens Small Business Operations

May 21, 2025
Galileo Wants “Payment Switch” to Strengthen Bill Pay

Galileo Wants “Payment Switch” to Strengthen Bill Pay

May 21, 2025
MTN Declares Core Infrastructure Secure After Cyberattack

MTN Nigeria Sues Banks for ₦6B in SleekChip Technologies Debt Case

May 21, 2025
Nigeria to Release First AI Guidelines Within Weeks, Says Alake

Nigeria to Release First AI Guidelines Within Weeks, Says Alake

May 20, 2025
Google Secures Major Solar Deal for Data Centre Power

Google Secures Major Solar Deal for Data Centre Power

May 20, 2025
NIBSS and CAC Launch API to Streamline Business Operations

NIBSS and CAC Launch API to Streamline Business Operations

May 20, 2025
  • Login

© 2021 Design By Tech Booky Elite

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
  • African
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Gadgets
  • Metaverse
  • Tips
  • About TechBooky
  • Advertise Here
  • Submit Article
  • Contact us

© 2021 Design By Tech Booky Elite

Discover more from TechBooky

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok