In the ever-shifting digital arena, staying ahead of evolving threat trends is paramount for organizations aiming to safeguard their assets. Amidst this dynamic landscape, email stands as a primary battleground for cyber defense. VIPRE Security Group’s latest report, “Email Security in 2024: An Expert Insight into Email Threats,” delves into the cutting-edge tactics and technologies embraced by cybercriminals this year.
Drawing from an analysis of nearly a billion malicious emails, sheds light on advanced threats, empowering organizations to grasp the intricacies of email-based attacks. Below, we unveil some of the key revelations unearthed in this comprehensive study.
In an exhaustive review, VIPRE processed 7.2 billion emails globally, identifying approximately 950.39 million as malicious.
The VIPRE Email Security Link Isolation feature, akin to URL sandboxing, showcased its efficacy by securing over 41.9 million links clicked by users.
YARA rules were pivotal in detecting millions of malicious attempts spotlighting statistical patterns and malware family indicators. The adaptability of these rules contributed to a marked increase in malware detection, particularly in the fourth quarter, emphasizing the necessity of continuous evolution in email security tactics.
The landscape of email threats continues to evolve, with VIPRE’s report shedding light on several alarming trends:
Phishing remains a dominant tactic in the cybercriminal arsenal, with the email report providing crucial insights:
Techniques Evolve: The majority of phishing attempts (71%) rely on deceptive links, but attachments (22%) and predatory QR codes (7%) are rising phishing tactics to watch out for.
Who’s Being Spoofed?: Microsoft tops the list of spoofed entities, highlighting the importance of vigilance against seemingly reputable sources.
Link and Attachment Tactics
These insights emphasize the critical importance of remaining alert and adopting comprehensive security measures to mitigate the risks posed by the evolving landscape of phishing threats.
The Email Security in 2024 report illuminates several specific threats that have been particularly prominent or are on the rise:
Cybercriminals are exploiting Google Groups to distribute fake order confirmations, tricking recipients into providing personal information under the guise of canceling a non-existent order. This scam cleverly manipulates trust and the routine nature of order confirmations to breach personal security.
The report highlights an uptick in scam emails tied to holidays, leveraging the seasonal hustle to bait users into phishing traps. These scams often use newly registered domains to evade detection, exploiting users’ lowered guard during festive periods.
A significant rise in the use of .eml file attachments for phishing attacks has been noted. These attachments, which can easily bypass traditional security measures due to their rarity in business communication, contain malicious content that, when opened, can compromise the recipient’s security.
The malware landscape has shifted, with families like , Qbot, RedLine, and AgentTesla taking the lead in various quarters. These malware types, particularly targeting Windows systems, highlight the need for vigilance against attachments and links that may harbor such threats.
These highlighted threats underscore the adaptability of attackers and the critical need for advanced, proactive security measures to protect against these sophisticated tactics.
Looking to the horizon of 2024, the Email Security in 2024 Report outlines several key predictions that underscore the evolving nature of email threats:
These predictions highlight the need for continuous innovation in email security solutions and practices to counteract these advancing threats, ensuring that businesses and individuals can safeguard their digital communications against the next wave of cyber attacks.
About the Author: . Having spent her career in various capacities and industries under the “high tech” umbrella, Stefanie is passionate about the trends, challenges, solutions, and stories of existing and emerging technologies. A storyteller at heart, she considers herself one of the lucky ones: someone who gets to make a living doing what she loves. Stefanie is a regular writer at.
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(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Email Security)