Midyear
Security Roundup combines expansive Trend Micro data to offer business insights
on growing threats
HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 29 August 2018 - Trend Micro
Incorporated
(TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today
released its Midyear Security Roundup
2018, revealing that cybercriminals are moving away from attention-grabbing
ransomware attacks to more covert methods intended to steal money and valuable
computing resources.
Crypto-jacking attempts are making the
biggest impact so far this year. Trend Micro recorded a 96 percent increase in
cryptocurrency mining detections in 1H 2018 compared to all of 2017, and a 956
percent increase in detections versus 1H 2017. This indicates cybercriminals
are shifting away from the quick payout of ransomware in favor of the slower,
behind-the-scenes approach of stealing computing power to mine digital
currency.
"The recent change in the threat
landscape mirrors what we've seen for years -- cybercriminals will constantly
shift their tools, tactics and procedures (TTPs) to improve their infection
rates," said Jon Clay, director of global threat communications for Trend
Micro. "Standard spray and pray ransomware attacks and data breaches had become
the norm, so attackers changed their tactics to be more covert, using entry
vectors not previously seen or used extensively. This means once again,
business leaders must evaluate their defenses to ensure sufficient protection
is in place to stop the latest and most pressing threats."
Another shift in the first half of the
year is toward unusual malware types, such as fileless, macro and small file
malware. Trend Micro recorded a 250 percent increase in detections of one
particular small file malware, TinyPOS, compared to 2H 2017, which may be due
to the increased ability of these malware types to circumvent defenses that
employ only one type of security protection.
Additionally, the Trend Micro Zero Day
Initiative (ZDI) published more than 600 advisories in the first six months of
2018. Based on this increase in advisories, the ZDI is able to predict what
types of vulnerabilities will likely be used next in real-world attacks. Among
the advisories this year, the ZDI purchased and disclosed twice as many SCADA
vulnerabilities compared to the same time last year. IT security managers
running these environments must stay alert to this growing threat, especially
as actors begin to perform destructive attacks rather than mere reconnaissance
and testing.
Faced with rapidly evolving threats,
organizations need to consolidate using a vendor that can provide complete,
multi-layered protection against both commodity malware and emerging threats.
Trend Micro's leading threat intelligence collected over 30 years of business
allows comprehensive protection, blocking more than 20 billion threats so far
this year and counting.
For a complete look at the Midyear
Security Roundup 2018, please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/research-and-analysis/threat-reports/roundup/unseen-threats-imminent-losses.
About Trend Micro
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions,
helps to make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Our innovative
solutions for consumers, businesses, and governments provide layered security
for data centers, cloud environments, networks, and endpoints. All our products
work together to seamlessly share threat intelligence and provide a connected
threat defense with centralized visibility and control, enabling better, faster
protection. With over 6,000 employees in over 50 countries and the world's most
advanced global threat intelligence, Trend Micro secures your connected world.
For more information, visit www.trendmicro.com.hk.