Business Daily Media

Men's Weekly

.

Cyber Threat Surge: Trend Micro Blocks 160 billion Incidents in 2023

Ransomware detections fall 14% as alternative attack strategies evolve

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 March 2024 - Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704) a global cybersecurity leader, today revealed a 10% annual increase in total threats blocked in 2023 and warned that attackers are using more advanced methods to target fewer victims with the potential for higher financial gains.

To read a copy of the report, Calibrating Expansion: Annual Cybersecurity Threat Report, please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hk/security/research-and-analysis/threat-reports/roundup/calibrating-expansion-2023-annual-cybersecurity-threat-report

Jon Clay, VP of threat intelligence at Trend: "We're blocking more threats than ever before for our customers. But understand that adversaries showed a variety and sophistication of TTPs in their attacks, especially in defense evasion. As our report demonstrates, network defenders must continue to proactively manage risk across the entire attack surface today. Understanding the strategies favored by our adversaries is the foundation of effective defense."

Trend Micro blocked 161 billion threats overall in 2023, compared to 82 billion threats five years ago. In 2023, threats blocked by email and web reputation dropped annually by 47% and 2%, respectively. Threats blocked by Trend's Mobile Application Reputation Service (-2%), Smart Home Network (-12%), and Internet of Things Reputation Service (-64%) also declined. However, there was a 35% annual increase in threats blocked under Trend's File Reputation Service (FRS).

This could indicate that threat actors are choosing their targets more carefully. Instead of launching attacks on a wider range of users and relying on victims clicking on malicious links in websites and emails, they're targeting a smaller number of higher-profile victims with more sophisticated attacks. This might enable them to bypass early detection layers like network and email filters—which could explain the surge in malicious file detections at endpoints.

Some other trends observed in the report include:

  • APT actors showed a variety and sophistication of their attacks against victims, especially around defense evasion tactics.
  • Email malware detection surged by 349% year-on-year (YoY), while malicious and phishing URL detections declined by 27% YoY – again highlighting the trend for more using malicious attachments in their attacks.
  • Business email compromise (BEC) detections increased 16% YoY.
  • Ransomware detections dropped 14% YoY. However, once again, the increase in FRS detections may indicate that threat actors are getting better at evading primary detection via techniques such as Living-Off-The-Land Binaries and Scripts (LOLBINs/LOLBAs), Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD), zero-day exploits, and AV termination.
  • Linux and MacOS ransomware attacks were 8% of the overall ransomware detections.
  • There was an increase in remote encryption, intermittent encryption, EDR bypass using unmonitored virtual machines (VMs), and multi-ransomware attacks where victims were hit more than once. Adversaries have recognized EDR as a formidable defense but are now utilizing bypass tactics to get around this technology.
  • Thailand and the US were the top two ransomware victim countries, with banking as the most affected sector.
  • The top MITRE ATT&CK detections were defense evasion, command & control, initial access, persistence, and impact
  • Risky cloud app access was the top risk event detected by Trend's attack surface risk management (ASRM), recorded almost 83 billion times.
  • Trend's Zero Day Initiative discovered and responsibly disclosed 1914 zero-days, up 12% YoY. These included 111 Adobe Acrobat and Reader bugs. Adobe was the number one vendor for vulnerability reporting, and PDFs were the number one spam attachment type.
  • Windows applications were the top 3 vulnerabilities exploited through detections from our virtual patches.
  • Mimikatz (used in data harvesting) and Cobalt Strike (used in Command & Control) continued to be the preferred legitimate tools to abuse to aid criminal activity.

In light of these findings, Trend advises network defenders to:

  • Work with trusted security vendors with a cybersecurity platform approach to ensure resources are not only secured but also continuously monitored for new vulnerabilities.
  • Prioritize SOC efficiency by monitoring cloud applications carefully as they become more closely integrated into day-to-day operations.
  • Ensure all the latest patches/upgrades are applied to operating systems and applications.
  • Utilize comprehensive security protocols to safeguard against vulnerabilities, tighten configuration settings, control application access, and enhance account and device security. Look to detect ransomware attacks earlier in the attack lifecycle by shifting left in defenses during initial access, lateral movement, or data exfiltration stages.
Hashtag: #trendmicro #cyberthreat #cybersecurity





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Trend Micro

Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, the platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 65 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world.

News from Asia

Studio City Extends Toy Story Campaign with Splashing Summer Fun at Studio City Water Park

MACAU SAR - Media OutReach Newswire – 18 July 2025 - Studio City is excited to announce the extension of its popular Toy Story campaign, now making a big splash at Studio City Water Park...

Trend Micro Celebrates 20th Consecutive Recognition as a Leader in Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ Endpoint Protection Platforms

Threat intelligence and security capabilities continue to outpace threats HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 July 2025 – Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybers...

F88 earns Gold Level Certification for Client Protection

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 July 2025 - F88, a pioneer in Việt Nam's alternative finance sector, has once again affirmed its leadership position by being awarded the Gold Level C...

SKINARMA’s JAGER collection redefines street-smart carry with raw utility and urban edge

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 July 2025 - SKINARMA has launched the JAGER collection, a versatile lineup built for everyday explorers who need gear that keeps up with their pace...

Counterfeit and Refurbished Transducers Pose Serious Safety Risks

Merz Aesthetics® Hong Kong Launches Ultherapy® Authenticity Verification Reward Program This August Consumers Urged to Verify Ultherapy® Transducers Authenticity for Safe and Effective Treatments H...

IVD Medical Holding Limited (01931.HK): Officially launched the application for the US stablecoin license and accelerated the landing of the IVDNewCo Exchange ecosystem

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 July 2025 – IVD Medical Holding Limited(01931.HK) - Forward-looking layout of the historical opportunity of the US "Genius Act", the IVDD stablecoin pl...

FaatGo Officially Launches: A Hong Kong-Based Legal Platform Specializing in Criminal Defence and Injury Compensation

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 July 2025 - In response to the increasing demand for accessible and trustworthy legal information, FaatGo (https://faatgo.com/) has officially launche...

Galaxy Macau Ushers in ‘A Summer More Colorful’

The Award-Winning Integrated Resort Unveils a Dazzling Summer of Unparalleled Fun and Exclusive Rewards MACAU SAR - Media OutReach Newswire – 21 July 2025 - As the summer sun shines brightly, Gala...

Southeast Asia’s First Smart Battery Swapping Station Officially Launched: U Power Accelerates EV Ecosystem Across Three Continents

Hong Kong’s first station leads East Asia; Portugal and Peru mark U Power’s entry into Europe and South America PHUKET, THAILAND - EQS Newswire - 21 July 2025 - U Power Limited (Nasdaq: UCAR) and U...

V-Green introduces EV charging station partnership opportunities in the Philippines: Stable Revenue – Zero Risk – Breakthrough Potential

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 July 2025 - As Southeast Asia's electric vehicle (EV) market enters a phase of rapid expansion, V-Green Global Charging Station Development JSC a...

Baby boomers are driving development feasibility leading to larger apartments

As residential developers continue to grapple with feasibility issues on apartment projects, the sector is struggling to deliver volumes of new st...

Hays launches FY25/26 Salary Guide: ‘Salary Paradox’ deepens as pay rises fail Australians

Rising dissatisfaction with pay, progression and perks is fuelling a new wave of career change in FY25/26, as Australians demand more from employe...

Australian Businesses Still Stuck in the AI Hype Cycle

Data Governance Failures, ROI Gaps and Unclear Strategy Slowing Progress Despite artificial intelligence (AI) dominating headlines and boardroom ag...

How to ensure your manufacturing business survives international tariff turmoil

Optimising your operations in FY2026 will help you combat the challenges of a volatile trading environment. Up, down, in out…Since the commence...

Why Apptio is Enhancing Visibility into AI and Hybrid Cloud

AI investments have become a strategic priority for business with the mindset that if you're not using AI, you're falling behind. But according to...

Beyond borders: Building a scalable strategy for international hiring

For many Australian businesses, growth increasingly depends on thinking beyond local borders.  As wage pressures rise, and specialised talent pool...

Sell by LayBy