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Experts Urge Nigerians to Wary of Cyber Attacks

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Cyber security experts and international data organisations have warned Nigerians to wary of activities of cyber criminals hiding under the anonymity of the information super highway.

Experts Urge Nigerians to Wary of Cyber Attacks

Nigeria has been the main target of cybercriminals for the past two years because many of its businesses had moved online during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Kaspersky, global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, reports that leading countries in Africa, including Nigeria, have experienced 85 million malware attacks in just six months.

The data showed that South Africa, the most targeted had 32 million attacks, followed by Kenya with 28.3 million, Nigeria with 16.7 million cyber attacks, while Ethiopia had 8 million attacks.

However, Nigeria and Ethiopia have had the highest increase of cyber attacks on the continent compared to the pre-COVID-19 year. Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa recorded an increase of 23 per cent, 20 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, with Kenya being the only country that saw a decrease of 13 per cent.

Nigeria seems to be the most hit. Yet, experts see more attacks on businesses as the movement toward Internet-of-Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, and cloud computing continues to gain momentum. But this also exposes businesses to cyber-attack risks.

However, the cyber security experts said this type of gloomy data should spur responsible, conscious and forward-thinking corporate and large businesses heavily exposed to e-commerce to adopt strategies for mitigating these risks.

But small businesses are not left off the ugly trend. Recent findings show that enterprises with less than 200 employees lose an average of $2.5 million each due to cyber threats. Nigerian SMEs inclusive.

Sophos Group believes that 86% of Nigerian companies fell prey to cyber attacks last year.

Mr Victor Idonor, director-general, Cybersecurity Challenge Nigeria Initiative (CYSEC NG), urged Nigerians to be wary of cybersecurity, like every other security challenge and its impacts on the nation and citizenry.

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has also warned that there are possible spillover cyber-attacks against non-primary targets as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mrs Hadiza Umar, head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the invasion had increased cyberattacks on businesses and government agencies.

“There is a greater danger for countries doing business in or with these countries’ governments, as well as businesses or countries that apply sanctions or are believed to intervene. In this regard, NITDA’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) is urging all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to take extra security precautions.

“They should harden their cyber defences and perform due diligence in identifying indicators of malicious activities that could affect their networks, assets and critical national infrastructure. MDAs are advised to carry out checks for possible vulnerabilities on their systems and implement appropriate remediations,” Umar said.

She added that they should always ensure the software is updated and carry out regular patches on all systems. According to her, they should secure and monitor remote desktop protocol and other risky services and carry out awareness on cyber security best practices to sensitise employees and users of services.

NITDA called on organisations to sign up for NITDA’s free web protection service, which will provide MDAs’ administrators with detailed information about the vulnerability of their web services.

Some tips to detect and mitigate cyber risks:

  1. Beware of mysterious email activity

Email phishing is one of the primary ways attackers gain access to sensitive business information by pretending to be a trusted organisation or website. These attempts have been growing in number, making it essential for employees to practice safe email protocol and be careful not to click on online links, open emails, or attachments from unknown sources. It is also advisable to create a culture where all employees refrain from responding or engaging in emails with anonymous sources.

  1. Note unusual password reset request

This is another devious way cybercriminals deploy to gain access to the company’s secure portal. An employee who receives an email requesting a password change or update should immediately report the event to the IT unit. A good security best practice is to ensure that all employees create a strong password for their email.

  1. Report a slower-than-normal network

This kind of episode might seem normal in this part of our world, where strong connectivity is not the usual. However, this could also be a hacking attempt or malware attack. These attempts often result in spikes in network traffic that can reduce internet speed. To mitigate this, inform the IT security department to be on the watch during such situations. Also, inform the internet service provider to ensure the team is on the alert.

  1. Prepare for the worst-case scenario

Despite all these high-alert detection strategies and information to employees, the unplanned can still happen, making it more critical to have a cyber insurance policy that your organisation can fall back on should such an event occur. One of the deliberate actions is to prioritise cyber threat insurance on top of your risk mitigation plan against cyber attacks.


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Flexify Solutions Launches CyberAgric App to Revolutionize Agricultural Sector in Nigeria

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Flexify Solutions, a leading tech-based firm in Oyo State, has introduced “CyberAgric,” an innovative solution designed to drive food production in Nigeria.

Flexify Solutions Launches CyberAgric App to Revolutionize Agricultural Sector in Nigeria

This is in recognition of the crucial role of modern agricultural practices in ensuring food security.

Food security is a top priority for every nation, and Nigeria is no exception.

CyberAgric is a cutting-edge mobile application that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to support Nigerian farmers, particularly those involved in cash crop cultivation such as cassava and maize.

The app’s groundbreaking features include early disease detection, with the capability to identify diseases like Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) in cassava leaves within the first two weeks of infection.

By utilizing smartphone cameras, farmers can capture images of their crops and receive real-time analysis and recommendations, empowering them to take proactive measures to protect their crops and ensure optimal yields.

Moreover, CyberAgric is designed to function offline, ensuring accessibility for farmers in remote areas with limited internet connectivity.

Speaking on the significance of CyberAgric, Johnson Oyeniyi, CEO of Flexify Solutions, emphasized the app’s accessibility and educational value. “Our goal with CyberAgric is to ensure that every Nigerian farmer, regardless of their location or internet access, can benefit from advanced agricultural technology,” said Oyeniyi.

“Beyond disease detection, the app serves as an educational platform, providing farmers with the latest agricultural best practices and expert resources.”

Flexify Solutions collaborated closely with Cybermate Technologies to tailor CyberAgric to the specific needs of Nigerian farmers.

The app initially focuses on cassava and maize cultivation, addressing the critical challenges faced by farmers in these sectors.

Through advanced AI-driven disease detection capabilities, CyberAgric aims to mitigate the impact of crop diseases and enhance food security in Nigeria.

Flexify Solutions Ltd is a global company specializing in disruptive digital solutions. With a strong focus on innovation, Flexify Solutions excels in crafting AI solutions optimized for mobile platforms and driving transformative change across industries.

With a proven track record in mobile app development, Flexify Solutions seamlessly integrates cutting-edge AI technologies to create intelligent solutions that resonate with users and drive success.

 


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Global Mobile Banking Malware Grows 32% in 2023

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Kaspersky has released its annual Financial Threats Report for 2023, offering a detailed analysis of the evolving financial cyberthreat landscape.

The report reveals significant increases in mobile banking malware and cryptocurrency-related phishing, signaling growing threats to digital financial assets.

The previous 12-months has witnessed a substantial rise in the number of users encountering mobile banking Trojans, with attacks on Android users surging by 32% – contrary to 2022.

The most prevalent banking trojan was Bian.h, accounting for 22% of all Android attacks. Geographically, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan recorded the highest share of users encountering banking Trojans, with Turkiye leading mobile banking malware attacks, with almost 3% of users affected (2.98%).

While the number of users affected by financial PC malware saw an 11% decline in 2023, Ramnit and Zbot were identified as the predominant malware families, targeting more than 50% of affected users. Consumers continued to be the primary target, comprising 61.2% of all attacks.

In 2023, financial phishing remained a significant threat, accounting for 27.32% of all phishing attacks on corporate users and 30.68% on home users. E-shop brands were identified as the top lure, with 41.65% of financial phishing attempts.

Additionally, PayPal phishing represented 54.78% of phishing pages targeting electronic payment system users. The report also highlighted a 16% year-on-year growth in cryptocurrency phishing, with 5.84 million detections in 2023 compared to 5.04 million in 2022.

E-shop phishing was identified as the most prevalent, recording 41.65% of all financial phishing pages. Amazon emerged as the most mimicked online store, accounting for 34% of phishing attempts, followed by Apple at 18.66% and Netflix at 14.71%. PayPal was the most targeted payment system, with 54.73% of attacks.

Cryptocurrency-related phishing and scams continued to grow, with Kaspersky preventing 5,838,499 attempts to follow cryptocurrency-themed phishing links – a 16% increase on 2022. Scammers mimicked cryptocurrency exchanges and offered coins in the name of large enterprises like Apple.

“Money has always been a magnet for cybercriminals, and a substantial portion of malware attacks are financially motivated. The surge in mobile malware witnessed last year highlights a concerning trend in cybercrime.

“With the emergence of new and aggressive malware strains, attackers are evolving their tactics to target mobile devices more aggressively. This underscores the imperative for individuals and businesses to maintain heightened vigilance, update protective measures, and fortify device security accordingly,” commented Igor Golovin, a security expert at Kaspersky.


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Payment Link Integration as Growth Driver for E-commerce Businesses

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The African e-commerce market grossed USD 277.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 939.8 billion in 2023. However, with a global cart abandonment rate of 70%, many of which are related to payment issues, there is a clear need for ecommerce businesses in Nigeria and beyond to provide seamless and efficient transactions to increase their revenue and scale. An effective payment solution for e-commerce businesses is payment link integration.

Payment link integration emerges as a powerful tool for e-commerce businesses to facilitate payment in a convenient and streamlined way. This SeerBit article delves into what a payment link is, how it works, and its benefits for your ecommerce business.

What Is a Payment Link?

A payment link is a unique, shareable URL that directs the customer to a secure payment page where they can make payment for their purchase. This method ensures a seamless and streamlined payment process for customers, particularly removing the need for a physical card or a card terminal. A business can generate this link for any specific transaction and send it directly to the customer through one of several possible channels (email, social media, SMS, etc.).

Payment links make payments convenient for both businesses and customers. Even e-commerce businesses without a website can receive payments online with a payment link. For e-commerce businesses with websites, online payment link integration allows them to boost sales by selling their products on other platforms beyond the business’ website.

Here’s How Your E-commerce Business Benefits from Payment Link Integration
Implementing payment links in your e-commerce setup can offer several advantages that streamline the purchasing process for you and your customers. Here are some reasons why you should integrate payment links for your e-commerce business:

Customer Experience and Convenience
Payment links provide a convenient way for customers to complete transactions without having to navigate through a complex checkout process. This improves the customer experience during shopping as they can pay with ease. With just a click on the payment link, customers can quickly and easily make a purchase, reducing the likelihood of cart abandonment.

Flexibility
Payment links offer your business flexibility in receiving payments, as they can be customised for different types of transactions. It supports multiple payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, etc., allowing you to cater to your customer’s preferred payment method. Consequently, you have more successful transactions and an increased customer satisfaction level.

Improved Cash Flow
With payment links, the speed and efficiency of payments increase. Consequently, this helps to improve your business’s cash flow. The accompanying ease of payments also means that customers are more willing to part with their money, thereby boosting your bottom line.

Security
Payment links are typically hosted on secure payment gateways, ensuring the safety of sensitive customer information during transactions. By leveraging trusted payment providers and encryption technologies, you can instil confidence in your customers and protect their data from unauthorised access.

Reduces Payment Processing Error
Payment link ensures efficiency in the payment process, leaving little room for processing errors. It also ensures that customers don’t have to manually type in their payment information, hence cutting out the risks of human errors, such as wrong billing address or credit card information in the payment process.

Mobile-friendly
As mobile commerce continues to grow, having a mobile-friendly payment solution is crucial. Payment links are inherently mobile-friendly, allowing customers to complete transactions directly from their smartphones, whether they’re on the go or at home.

Tracking and Analytics
Payment links often come with built-in tracking and analytics features that provide valuable insights into customer behaviour, transaction trends, and sales performance. By analysing this data, you can make informed decisions to optimise your ecommerce strategy and maximise revenue.

How To Create a Payment Link for Online Payment
Creating a payment link to receive online payment involves the following steps:

Choose a payment gateway provider
The first step is to partner with a reliable payment gateway like SeerBit that offers payment links as part of its service. Read our blog post on what to consider when choosing a payment provider to help you make the right choice. A few factors to consider are your business needs, security, compatibility, and pricing structure. SeerBit easily checks all the boxes.

Create a SeerBit account
Once you’ve decided on SeerBit as your payment gateway provider, the next thing is to create your SeerBit account. This is a straightforward process that involves providing your business’ information and completing the KYC process for compliance.

Access and set up the payment link feature
SeerBit offers payment links as a part of its service. Once you’re logged in, you can create a payment link in your dashboard which you send to your customers. This link works for both one-time and recurring payments.

To set up your payment link, go to “Payments” on your dashboard, click on “Payment Links,” then “Create Payment Link” and fill in the required details. A link will be created afterward which you can send to your customer via email, messenger apps, social media, invoice, or QR code.

Conclusion
By integrating payment links into your ecommerce business, you make payments very convenient for your customers and considerably improve your customer satisfaction. SeerBit payment link offers you an easy payment collection process while allowing you to cater to your customers’ payment needs. SeerBit also uses the best security tools and the latest encryption and tokenization technologies to ensure the security of transactions and customer payment information.


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