E-Business
The Evolving Threat Landscape: Top Cybercrime Trends Organisations Should Take Note of in 2023
By Emmanuel Asika
The cyber threat landscape continued to evolve last year, with malevolent players joining forces more than ever before, exchanging access to networks and systems, sharing malware and sharpening their attack methods.
Such heightened collaboration, coupled with the low cost of malware – three-quarters of malware kits cost less than ₦7,000 – are further triggering cybercrime to be more accessible.
The implication being that more devices and end-users will be vulnerable to being under attack in 2023, and as cyber criminals intensify attempts to access enterprises – these systems, PCs and printers will be at the forefront.
These challenges, for cyber-security experts, will be intensified by the growing economic slump and uncertainties. As cybersecurity spending is set to increase by 13.2% in 2023, cost projections will be under critical observation, with emphasis on the most important cybersecurity demands.
With tough impending decisions, below are four cybersecurity trends that institutions must plan for in 2023:
- Increasing costs can prompt an inflow of cyber hustlers and money mules, powering the cybercrime economy and leaving users at risk
The increase in the cybercrime gig economy, with its swing to platform-based business models, has made cybercrime simpler, affordable, and more dynamic.
Cybercrime devices and mentoring services are readily available at low costs, luring cyber hustlers – adherents with little technical skill – to access needed information to make gains.
With an impending global downturn, easy access to cybercrime tools and skills could enhance the number of scam SMS messages and emails filling our inboxes.
Lured by the potential of quick money, there is a likelihood of seeing more recruits into money-muling schemes, unintentionally encouraging the cybercrime ecosystem as enablers of fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and perhaps ransoms payments.
The interrelated nature of the cybercrime gig economy means that threat actors can easily make money from email compromise attacks.
If they find a victim and succeed by compromising an enterprise device, they can market that access to bigger ransomware gangs. This gives structured groups of hackers more reach, hence feeding into the cybercrime ecosystem.
With increasing attacks against users, embedding security in all devices from the hardware will be significant to prevent, detect and recover from attacks.
Adopting a robust security culture is key for building resilience, however, only when combined with technology that decreases an organization’s attack interface. A whole group of threats can be eradicated without relying on detection by isolating risky activities like malicious emails.
Threat containment technologies in this case ensure that if a user opens a malicious link or attachment, the malware can’t infect any data. With this model, businesses reduce the propensity of malicious attacks and protect employee interests without compromising their workflows.
- Notorious hackers will invest in more attacks below the operating system.
Until recently, firmware attacks were only used by sophisticated threat groups and countries.
However, just last year, early signs revealed an increased interest and development of attacks below the operating system – from tools to hack BIOS passwords, to rootkits and trojans targeting device’s firmware. Today, we now see firmware rootkits advertised relatively cheaply on cybercrime marketplaces.
As one would expect, sophisticated threat actors are always looking to stay one step ahead in terms of their attack capabilities. Unfortunately, firmware security is frequently disregarded by organizations, giving room for adversaries to attack and exploit.
Access to the firmware level allows attackers to gain persistent control and hide below the operating system, making them very hard to detect – let alone remove and remediate.
As such, organizations and individuals must ensure they understand industry best practices and standards for device hardware and firmware security.
Additionally, organizations must further endeavour to understand and evaluate the latest technology readily available to protect, detect and recover from firmware attacks.
- Remote access equipment will be on the forefront for attacks
Session hijacking is anticipated. The year will witness a growth in popularity – where an attacker hijacks a remote access session to obtain an organisation’s sensitive data and systems.
The user is characteristically unsuspecting that anything malicious has happened and takes milliseconds to inject key sequences and issue commands that generate an alternative gateway for persistent access.
It works even if Privileged Access Management (PAM) systems employ Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), such as smart cards.
When a malicious attack links to Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) running factories and industrial plants, there could also be a noticeable impact on operational readiness and safety – possibly cutting off access to energy or communication for entire areas.
The only way of preventing these kinds of attacks is breaking the attack chain and strong isolation technology, either through using a physically separate system, like a Privileged Access Workstation (PAW), or virtual separation, via hypervisor-based approaches.
- Neglect print security at your risk in 2023
Presently, print security is endangered by the constant tendency to be a neglected factor of the total cybersecurity environment and with more printers connected to corporate networks due to hybrid working, the risks keep increasing. Institutions need to structure security policies and processes for monitoring and protecting print gadgets from attacks, at home and in the workplace.
The challenge is the risk telemetry coming from end points, including printers, is growing by the day. Consequently, we will see institutions concentrate investments on solutions and services delivery that provide functional intelligence rather than merely delivering more security data.
Tackling increasing threats
This year, organisations must be intentional with their security approaches. Often, security glitches start at the endpoint, hence, by embedding protection in these devices, businesses can lessen the burden on their security unit.
Regardless of the threats institutions face in 2023, it is apparent that the tactics we deploy to protect devices and data has to change.
The key consideration here is strategic resource allocation, and the security teams need to recognise the specific areas of the business that are most susceptible to threats, and that would be most impacted in the event of a breach.
It is also vital to have a layered approach to security which will allow institutions to execute isolation, gain actionable intelligence, isolation and more, whilst helping to lessen their attack surface and maintain safety of key data.
Emmanuel Asika is Country Head for Nigeria, at HP
As the global community commemorates World Consumer Rights Day, Jumia Nigeria joined industry leaders, regulators, and consumer advocates at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, for a high-level panel session hosted by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Speaking during the session, Peters Afebuame, Group Head of Content and Production at Jumia, highlighted Jumia’s comprehensive approach to protecting consumers from counterfeit or adulterated products on its marketplace, noting that the company has implemented structured checks and technology-driven systems across the entire product lifecycle, from seller onboarding to post-listing monitoring, to safeguard product authenticity.
“Ensuring product authenticity on our platform requires a combination of technology, policy enforcement, and continuous seller engagement,” he stated.
“At Jumia Nigeria, we have implemented a multi-layered process that begins with rigorous seller onboarding and policy agreements, followed by catalogue configuration controls, AI-driven product attribute verification, and the use of global product identification standards. These systems are reinforced by ongoing quality moderation, brand protection mechanisms, and strict enforcement actions, including product and seller delisting, ensuring that customers can shop on our platform with confidence.”
Central to Jumia’s consumer protection framework is a rigorous seller verification process designed to ensure marketplace integrity. Vendors are required to provide proof of legal and regulatory compliance before gaining access to the platform. This vetting process is reinforced by a strict quality control system that monitors products listed on the platform, backed by a zero-tolerance policy toward counterfeit or substandard goods. Non-compliant sellers face penalties and permanent delisting from the marketplace.
Transparency also remains a core priority in helping customers make informed purchasing decisions. Product listings across the platform feature clear specifications, verified descriptions, and detailed images, enabling shoppers to understand exactly what they are purchasing before completing a transaction.
Recognising that digital literacy plays a critical role in online safety, Jumia continues to invest in consumer education initiatives through instructional “how-to” videos, platform guides, and social media campaigns that equip Nigerian shoppers with practical knowledge to navigate online shopping securely and confidently.
To further strengthen transaction security, Jumia leverages its proprietary payment solution, JumiaPay, which provides a secure and encrypted payment infrastructure designed to protect customer financial data. The company also adheres to internationally recognised data protection standards such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and local regulatory frameworks established by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), ensuring responsible handling and protection of user information.
Beyond the point of purchase, Jumia reinforces consumer protection through a customer-centric return and refund policy designed to ensure seamless resolution when issues arise. A dedicated customer service team also provides support through multiple channels, including phone and social media, enabling swift response to consumer inquiries and complaints.
As e-commerce continues to expand across Nigeria, Jumia reaffirmed its commitment to building a marketplace that prioritises fairness, transparency, and consumer safety. Through continuous investment in technology, strong policy enforcement, and ongoing consumer engagement, the company aims to strengthen trust and confidence in Nigeria’s growing digital commerce ecosystem.
Federal government is determined to protect Nigerians’ rights and privacy in the digital space, according to Dr Ayodele Bakare, assistant director, Cybersecurity Department, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),
To achieve that, Bakare, said that the government has developed several policy and regulatory frameworks to strengthen cybersecurity.
Bakare, stated all these during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
He said that cybersecurity governance in Nigeria was implemented through a collaborative approach involving multiple government institutions with different responsibilities.
According to him, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) provides overall coordination of national cybersecurity efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, which serves as its operational arm.
“At the national level, cybersecurity implementation is done collectively, and different government organisations are responsible for implementing different aspects of the national cybersecurity framework.
“At the top, however, the Office of the National Security Adviser coordinates these efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre,” he said.
Bakare said that one of the key policy instruments guiding the country’s cybersecurity efforts was the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy Framework.
He also highlighted the legal framework provided by the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2015, which was recently amended in 2024 to strengthen Nigeria’s response to cyber threats and digital crimes.
According to him, NITDA has also introduced sector-specific regulations to enhance cybersecurity in the country.
“One such regulation is the National Public Key Infrastructure Regulation, which is one of the core infrastructures required to ensure trust and security in digital communications and transactions,” he said.
Bakare said that NITDA played a pioneering role in Nigeria’s data protection landscape through the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019, which laid the foundation for the current data protection framework.
He said the regulation had since evolved into a full legal framework implemented by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
Bakare disclosed that the agency was also finalising an Information Security Regulation that would soon be made available to the public.
He further explained that the regulation would provide organisations and individuals with clear guidelines on their responsibilities in safeguarding information and digital assets.
“Nigeria has continued to strengthen its legal and policy environment for cybersecurity, a development reflected in the country’s performance in the Global Cybersecurity Index.
“One of the pillars of the index focuses on legal measures and assesses the availability of national cybersecurity laws and regulations.
“Nigeria recorded a strong performance under the legal measures pillar, reflecting the country’s efforts to establish the necessary frameworks to support cybersecurity governance,” he told NAN.
He said that sustained collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders remained essential to effectively implement the existing policies and strengthen Nigeria’s digital security architecture.
According to Kaspersky telemetry, in 2025, spyware and password stealers attacks showed the biggest year-over-year growth in Nigeria among different analysed malware types.
Spyware, which is a type of malicious software installed on users’ devices to collect their data, grew in the number of attacks by 28% compared with the previous year. Password stealers, designed to gather users’ account information, increased in the number of attacks by 22%.
Exploits decreased slightly in the number of attacks in Nigeria, however they remain an acute threat that should not be underestimated. These are programs designed by cyber attackers to take advantage of vulnerabilities in an application or operating system to gain unauthorised access to it and to cause unintended behaviour to occur on software.
Ransomware, though very targeted in distribution, remains a high-risk threat for organisations, who should also guard themselves from supply chain and trusted relationship attacks.
Overall, Kaspersky security tools blocked more than 4 million online attack attempts on users in Nigeria in 2025. Online threats typically include different types of malware attacks, such as for example, password stealers, exploits, spyware, etc. Another 9 million on-device threats were blocked in the country, including malware delivered via infected USB drives.
“Operations coordinated by INTERPOL, such as Serengeti to which Kaspersky has contributed, demonstrate how international cooperation and threat intelligence sharing can strengthen the fight against cybercrime across Africa. At the same time, both organisations and individual users in the region play an important role in improving cybersecurity by staying informed about evolving threats and practicing good cyber hygiene.
“Dedicated security solutions, including Kaspersky Next for organisations and Kaspersky Premium for individuals, can further help reduce exposure to cyber risks,” said Moses Munguti, Technical Expert & Team Lead in Africa at Kaspersky.
Malware often reaches a device through phishing messages and websites employing social engineering techniques. If an operating system, browser, or application is outdated, attackers may exploit security flaws to install malware. To significantly reduce the risk of infections with malware, Kaspersky experts advise individuals and organisations to follow these best practices:
- Be cautious with links and attachments received, verify the sender before opening files or clicking links.
- Download software only from official sources.
- Install updates for systems and applications as soon as they become available.
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Install reputable security software that can detect malware before it compromises the system.
- Regularly back up important data.
- Staying informed about current cyber threats and maintaining good digital hygiene helps keep devices and data safe.
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