How COVID transformed the world of malware

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the world — and the afflictions of malware evolved with it, writes the security company Malwarebytes in its 2021 State of Malware report.Why it matters: “The story of malware in 2020 … is a story of how the tools and tactics of cybercrime and cybersecurity changed against a backdrop of enormous changes to ordinary life,” says the report.One big trend was the “staggering rise” in the use of stalkerware, writes Malwarebytes, with the company detecting a 1,677% increase in spyware on its Android product from January through June 2020.The use of other monitoring apps rose 780% over the same period on Android, says the report.“As the world locked down in April 2020, a tool that was once the preserve of nation states and cybercriminals became something otherwise ordinary people used on each other,” writes Malwarebytes about the spyware epidemic. Some industries saw a sharp increase in malware detections in 2020, while others saw significant decreases.For instance, the agriculture industry saw a 607% increase in detections, while detections in the food and beverage industry rose by 67%.Meanwhile, detections in the education field fell by 17%, in the health care field by 22%, and the automotive industry by 18%. Of note: 2020 saw the advent of a new ransomware named Egregor, which was used in “attacks against Ubisoft, K-Mart, Crytek, and Barnes & Noble,” says the report.

Comments

Tech news

Bedroom gadget sold by Amazon urgently recalled over ‘high risk of fire’

Comments

Tech news

Bedroom gadget sold by Amazon urgently recalled over ‘high risk of fire’

WhatsApp is closing down on three mobile devices in hours with users blocked from sending and receiving messages

Google’s Gmail Password Attack Warning — You Have Just 7 Days To Act

The One Skill That AI Doesn't Have That Makes Humans Irreplaceable

You Have Until June 1 To Save Your Passwords, Microsoft Warns App Users

Apple iPhone 17 Air To Have Ugly Design Update, New Leak Says

Cats and dogs are evolving to look alike, and it’s all humans’ fault

Captive-bred axolotls thrive in Mexican wetlands, researchers find

Big Weekend Of Free Games For Star Wars Fans

Apple iOS 18.5 Release Date: Next iPhone Update Is Here In Days

New Warning — 19 Billion Compromised Passwords Create Hacking Arsenal

For AI Startups, A 7-Day Work Week Isn’t Enough

What the Tariffs Have Done to a Fledgling Small Business

Donald Trump Is Using the Presidency to Get Rich

My Brain Finally Broke

The Secrets of Physique Magazines

Why time speeds up as you get older

Trio of channel changes coming to Sky and Virgin TV boxes next week following spate of closures – see full list

Inside world’s biggest private jet ‘Flying Mansion’ – the ultra posh Boeing 747 with gold staircase and full bathroom

This man has been bitten by snakes 200 times – now his blood could save lives

Electric Vessev VS-9 Hydrofoil Is 5X More Efficient Than Regular Boats

How Misinformation and Partisan ‘New Media’ Changed a California Town

Wedding Planning Via Generative AI

Your Samsung phone is getting this free update - four things I love, two I hate

New Wi-Fi warning issued to UK homes as millions told to ignore viral trend

Forget Spotify - the cassette player is back and far better than you remember

Five TV settings you should fix to instantly boost picture – even if you’re using a Roku or Fire Stick

Sky confirms urgent broadband alert - check your Wi-Fi or you may be at 'risk'

'Unparalleled' snake antivenom made from man bitten 200 times

Sam Altman’s Start-Up Launches Eye-Scanning Crypto Orbs in the U.S.

What 6 Decision-Making Experts Tell Leaders About Making Smart Choices

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Saturday, May 3rd

A 9th planet in our solar system might be found — and no, it’s not Pluto

Science meets shape-throwing in 'Dance your PhD' contest

The Trump administration says it will cut EPA staffing to Reagan-era levels

Today’s ‘Wordle’ #1414 Hints, Clues And Answer For Saturday, May 3rd

Google Confirms Chrome Update—Now Tracks All Your Devices

Sam Altman and Elon Musk are racing to build an ‘everything app’

Google is going to let kids use its Gemini AI

Trump Threatens NPR and PBS

Meta partners with film studio Blumhouse on chatbot used during recent movie screening

TikTok fined £452million for breaching EU privacy rules by sending data to China

3 Reasons To Stop ‘Over-Intellectualizing’ Emotions, By A Psychologist

ISEE And TICO Partner To Deliver Autonomous Yard Trucks To Customers

Ryan Garcia Vs. Rally Romero Results Full Fight Card Results

Google’s Gmail Warning—Upgrade Your Email Account Today

AI Startup Decagon In Talks To Raise $100 Million At A $1.5 Billion Valuation

Android Circuit: Galaxy S25 Edge Details, Snapdragon Flagship Revealed, Pixel 10 Pro Leaks

Apple Loop: iPhone 17 Pro Leaks, Apple Watch SE Details, iPhone 17 Release Dates

Here are the best AirPods deals you can get right now

Apple issues urgent warning to 1,800,000,000 iPhone users over popular feature

Ex-New Yorkers dish on why they moved to Florida for good: ‘People thought we were crazy’

A Business Leader’s Guide To Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

What To Watch This Weekend: New Shows And Movies To Stream On Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV And More

Technicolor Grief—Food Dyes And The End Of America’s Neon Snack Era

Trump&#8217;s proposed budget deals another big blow to science, clean energy, and the environment

Inside Sam Altman’s eye-scanning crypto party

U.S. robot makers hope to beat China in humanoid race. Tariffs could affect their ambitions

Self-driving trucks start making the rounds in Texas

He let snakes bite him 200 times to create a better snakebite antivenom

Trump’s proposed budget deals another big blow to science, clean energy, and the environment