In the African context, the Communications, Utilities, and Government/Military sectors are identified as the most targeted industries, with Financial Services closely following. Among the most targeted countries in Africa are Ethiopia (2nd) and Nigeria (10th), showcasing the region’s vulnerability to malware attacks.

South Africa, ranked 70th globally, stands out as a focal point in the report. The country’s cybersecurity landscape is in the spotlight as organizations need to be vigilant against emerging threats. The Check Point report emphasizes the significance of a preventative approach to endpoint security and the necessity for due diligence on email origins and intent.

The threat landscape in December saw the resurgence of Qbot malware, employed in limited-scale phishing attacks targeting the hospitality sector. Meanwhile, JavaScript downloader FakeUpdates claimed the top spot globally, impacting 2% of organizations. South African organizations should take note of these developments to bolster their cybersecurity defenses.

The report also highlights the most exploited vulnerabilities globally, with South African organizations urged to pay attention to potential weaknesses. Notably, the report emphasizes the importance of staying informed about emerging mobile malware threats, with Anubis maintaining its position as the most prevalent mobile malware.