With the continued expansion of digital financial transactions all over the world in 2024, Internet criminals targeted mobile banking services and assets associated with increasingly encrypted currencies.
Kaspersky Financial Electronic Threat Report revealed that the number of users who face mobile banking horses increased 3.6 times compared to 2023, while the encryption attack attacks increased by 83.4 %. Meanwhile, the traditional computers’ malware decreased, but financial harmful programs have increasingly focused on stealing encryption assets.
Financial clinic fraud has become more sophisticated, as fraudsters simulate banks, online shopping platforms and payment systems to deceive users. The banks were the primary goal, representing 42.6 % of financial hunting attempts.
Amazon was the most traditional online brand, which represents 33.2 % of fraud pages, while fraud that targeted alibaba witnessed a remarkable increase from 3.2 % in 2023 to 8 % in 2024. PayPal remained the most targeted payment system, despite its decrease in the share of the hunting attacks from 54.7 % to 37.5 %, while it was an attack on Almost marstercard.
The increase in mobile financial threats was of particular importance, as 247,949 users faced a mobile phone Trojan horses in 2024, with a sharp increase of 69200 in the previous year. The Mamont Trojan-Banker family was the most active, using a variety of plans, from fake stores to social engineering attacks.
Türkiye remained the most affected country, as increasing cases were also reported in Indonesia, India, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Malaysia.
The attacks of the malware of personal computer fell on traditional banking systems, as affected users fell from 312,453 in 2023 to 199204 in 2024. However, financial malware has increasingly targeted encryption assets instead.
Grandoreiro Trojan, one of the most widespread banking programs, attacked 1700 banks and 276 codes in 45 countries.
Kaspersky experts warn that financial hunting is developing to become more targeted and specialized. Since smartphones have become the preferred tool for digital transactions, Internet criminals benefit from fake brands and services to steal user data.
With the continued growth of financial fraud in development, users should remain vigilant and the adoption of stronger security measures to protect their assets.
