Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Check Point’s Threat Report predicts a rise in cyber attacks in South Africa ahead of the elections.
- FakeUpdates is the top malware in SA, exploiting human trust through deceptive software update alerts.
In a recent Threat Report, cyber security firm Check Point warns that cyber attacks are likely to intensify in South Africa leading up to the elections. The report indicates that an average organization in the country faced 1,001 cyber attacks per week in the last six months, with government and military organizations being prime targets. The prevalence of malware such as FakeUpdates, which capitalizes on users’ tendency to trust software update alerts, poses a significant threat to cybersecurity.
Furthermore, Check Point highlights the manipulation of election outcomes by nation states using technologies like artificial intelligence and deepfakes to spread misinformation. Post-elections, cyber threats are expected to shift towards financially-driven activities, with ransomware attacks becoming increasingly profitable for cyber criminals. Recent cyber attacks on South African government entities, including the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, underscore the pressing issue of cyber vulnerabilities in the public sector.
While South African organizations are making progress in enhancing their cyber security preparedness, there is still a notable gap, particularly in adopting advanced security strategies. Check Point emphasizes the importance of a multi-faceted approach to cyber security, incorporating AI-powered solutions, cloud-delivered security intelligence, and fostering a culture of collaboration and security awareness across sectors for effective cyber resilience.
