Trend Micro Inc., a cybersecurity solutions firm, has disclosed a 10% yearly uptick in the total number of threats intercepted in 2023, as outlined in its recent publication, “Calibrating Expansion: Annual Cybersecurity Threat Report.”
In 2023, Trend Micro thwarted 161 billion threats globally, marking a significant increase from 82 billion threats five years before. Key global findings reveal a surge in email malware detection by 349% year-on-year (YoY), coupled with a 16% YoY rise in business email compromise (BEC) detections. However, ransomware detections experienced a 14% decline, offset by a 35% increase in threats blocked under Trend Micro’s File Reputation Services (FRS).
“We are blocking more threats than ever before for our customers,” said Ian Felipe, country manager, Trend Micro Philippines. “However, adversaries showed various and sophisticated tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) in their attacks, especially in defense evasion. As our report demonstrates, network defenders must proactively manage risk across the entire attack surface today. Understanding the strategies favored by our adversaries is the foundation of effective defense.”
These trends indicate a strategic shift by threat actors toward targeted attacks and sophisticated evasion techniques. For example, malicious email tactics now favor attachments over direct links, evading traditional filters. Also, ransomware operators are employing advanced evasion methods like BYOVD and zero-day exploits to bypass initial detection layers.
Advanced Persistent Threat
The report also sheds light on the Southeast Asian threat landscape, revealing a mixed bag of ransomware trends. While Thailand witnessed a surge in detections, other markets like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines observed a decline. Particularly in the Philippines, ransomware detections plummeted by 93%.
The report uncovers alarming revelations about Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) campaigns targeting the Philippine government, spearheaded by adversary groups like Earth Estries and Mustang Panda. These groups employ sophisticated cyberespionage tactics, exploiting vulnerabilities in government systems.
In response to these evolving threats, Trend Micro advocates for collaborative efforts with trusted security vendors, prioritizing SOC efficiency, applying timely patches, and implementing comprehensive security protocols.