E-Business
New Research from Trend Micro Shows Cyberattacks Relied on Substance Over Size in 2023
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global cybersecurity leader, has revealed that it blocked around 18 million email threats, almost two million malicious URLs and over four million malicious mobile apps targeted at Nigerian businesses and consumers between January and December 2023. This as threat actors deviate from big-batch attacks to focus on a narrower range of more lucrative targets.
These new patterns in the cybercrime landscape are highlighted in the Trend Micro 2023 Annual Cybersecurity Report, which presents highlights from the company’s telemetry covering the broadest attack surface view across millions of commercial and consumer clients.
“Our latest data shows that threat actors are fine-tuning their operations, shifting away from large-scale attacks, and instead focusing on a smaller range of targets but with higher victim profiles for maximum gain with minimum effort. As they continue to double down on tried and tested techniques, they are also delegating and streamlining operations — resulting in bolder, more effective strikes,” says Gareth Redelinghuys, Country Managing Director, African Cluster at Trend Micro.
Attacks focused on substance over quantity are more difficult to block
Though thousands of ransomware attacks were blocked by Trend Micro in Nigeria in 2023, year-on-year research shows that ransomware groups are working smarter instead of harder, prioritising high-value targets over volume.
There has been a general downward trend in ransomware detections, with worldwide detections from 2021 to 2023 averaging less than half of the recorded detections in 2020; however, this should not be misconstrued as a cue for security operations centres and decision-makers to lower their guards. Historically, ransomware attacks were launched in “bulk,” such as spam campaigns with malicious links, but attacks that focus on quantity can more easily be blocked.
What’s more, a continued increase in Trojan FRS threat detections globally could suggest that attackers are using more effective ways to evade preliminary detection by focusing on arrival and defense evasion techniques. Examples of this include Living-Off-The-Land Binaries and Scripts. Because these computer files are non-malicious in nature and local to the operating system, they can be used by threat actors to camouflage their attacks.
Last year, several ransomware families across the world were also observed maximising remote and intermittent encryption, as well as abusing unmonitored virtual machines to bypass Endpoint Detection and Response. Because there is less content used during intermittent encryption, for example, there is less chance of triggering detection.
Gangs are also launching bolder attacks: Prolific groups were some of the most active in 2023: Clop exploited major vulnerabilities, and BlackCat launched a new variant, while also making its extortion public by leveraging the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission’s four-day disclosure requirement to incentivise its victim to communicate more quickly with them.
Email threats – attackers are using more sophisticated ways to avoid detection
This trend towards threat actors opting for quality over quantity is equally present in the patterns observed around email threats. Though email threat detections in Nigeria decreased from more than 45 million in 2021 to 18 million in 2023, the increase in malware detection count over the same period suggests a shift in the threat landscape that finds attackers making use of more sophisticated ways to avoid detection.
Trend Micro’s data also shows a slight decrease in malicious URL detection in Nigeria from 2021 to 2023, indicating that instead of focusing on malicious links to randomly victimise users, criminals are using more targeted operations, such as BEC schemes, where emails are less likely to undergo scrutiny because of how legitimate they look.
Instead of launching attacks on a wider range of users and relying on victims clicking on malicious links in websites and emails, more sophisticated attacks are launched using specificity to trick a narrower field of high-profile victims. This also allows them to bypass early detection layers like network and email filters.
AI-powered phishing attempts are more convincing than ever
Over the course of 2023, AI showed great promise in social engineering attempts globally: its automation proved most useful in mining datasets for actionable information, while generative AI have made phishing on mass scale virtually effortless with error-free and convincing messages. The use of generative AI in phishing attempts is already branching beyond emails and texts to include persuasive audio and video ‘deepfakes’ for an even more business-affecting threat.
Imagine a company that requires live voice authorisation for purchases above a million dollars, for example. An attacker could send a real-seeming email request with a rigged phone number embedded and answer the confirmation call with a deepfaked voice to validate the transaction. These new tactics introduce the possibility of everything from stock market manipulations to democratic or wartime disinformation campaigns, or smear attacks on public figures.
The barriers to entry for techniques like these have fallen away radically with the rise of readily available app-style interfaces like HeyGen. Cybercriminals with no coding knowledge or special computing resources can produce customised high-resolution outputs that are humanly undetectable.
“Looking at the overall trend in decreasing ransomware threats, it might be tempting for local organisations to develop a false sense of security and lower their defenses. However, our research shows that these increasingly sophisticated attacks are going to become more and more difficult for businesses to detect and that they will be increasingly costly when they succeed. IT leaders must refine their processes and protocols to enable their defenses to combat persistence with efficiency,” concludes Zaheer Ebrahim, Solutions Architect, Middle East and Africa at Trend Micro.
Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria), also known as CPN has begun a nationwide crackdown on quackery and unlicensed practices in a bid to strengthen professional standards in the country’s information technology sector.
CPN has also vowed tougher action against cybercrime in the country.
These were the major decisions taken at its 2026 Information Technology Professionals’ Assembly and Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday
Essien Eyo, president and chairman of Council of CPN, speaking at a virtual press conference, said the council would continue to enforce strict compliance with professional regulations to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s computing ecosystem.
He warned that the council would not tolerate unlicensed practice in the sector, stressing that regulatory enforcement would be strengthened in line with its statutory mandate.
“The Act makes it mandatory for all persons and organisations seeking to engage in computing and professional services to be registered and licensed by the council.
“It is illegal to engage in computing and professional practice without satisfying the requirement of registration and possession of a valid licence,” Eyo said.
He added that the council was determined to rid the sector of quackery and ensure that only qualified professionals are allowed to operate.
“CPN is committed to ensuring high professional ethics and standards, and we will continue to intensify efforts to eliminate quackery, arbitrary practice and lack of standards in the IT sector,” he stated.
Eyo disclosed that the 2026 IT Professionals’ Assembly, scheduled for May 13 and 14 at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja, would serve as a key platform to advance regulatory compliance, professional development and industry collaboration.
The event, now in its 20th edition, has the theme, “Digital Resilience and Inclusion for Smart Economy,” and aligns with Nigeria’s broader digital economy and Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that the theme reflects the urgent need to build a secure, inclusive and resilient digital ecosystem capable of withstanding modern technological disruptions.
“In an era defined by rapid technological change, cybersecurity threats, economic disruptions and evolving digital demands, resilience ensures that digital infrastructure and institutions can withstand shocks and sustain growth,” Eyo said.
“At the same time, inclusion guarantees that no segment of society is left behind in accessing digital opportunities.”
He said the assembly would also focus on emerging digital risks, ethical technology deployment, inclusive policy frameworks and strengthening collaboration among government, industry, academia and civil society.
Eyo further noted that the event would feature the induction of new members into the computing profession and would be delivered in a hybrid format to ensure wider participation.
“The 2026 IT Professionals’ Assembly is not just an event but a strategic platform for shaping Nigeria’s digital destiny,” he said.
He confirmed that the keynote address would be delivered by Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Also speaking, Aliu Abdullahi, vice president of Council, said the establishment of CPN was a Federal Government response to the need for proper regulation of Nigeria’s growing IT sector.
He said the council’s mandate includes setting professional standards, accrediting academic programmes, conducting examinations, regulating practice, enforcing ethics and maintaining the national register of computing professionals.
Abdullahi reiterated that all individuals and organisations engaged in IT training, computing services and related activities must be duly registered and licensed by the council.
He urged media organisations to support public awareness of the council’s activities, especially the forthcoming assembly, which he described as critical to strengthening Nigeria’s digital governance and professional integrity.
Surfshark, a Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm, has reported that Nigeria recorded about 24.1 million compromised user accounts since 2004, making it the third most affected country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The report, which analysed global data breach trends for the first quarter of 2026, showed that Nigeria recorded 281,500 leaked accounts between January and March 2026, ranking the country as the 34th most breached nation globally during the period.
Globally, the report revealed that 210.3 million accounts were breached in the first quarter of 2026, representing a sharp increase compared to previous periods.
The United States accounted for 29 per cent of all reported breaches worldwide, followed by France, India, Brazil and the United Kingdom.
According to the report, cyber threats targeting Nigerian users have continued to intensify over the years, exposing millions of individuals to risks such as identity theft, account hijacking, extortion and financial fraud.
Surfshark disclosed that about 7.5 million unique email addresses linked to Nigerian users have been exposed since 2004, while approximately 13 million passwords were leaked alongside compromised accounts.
The report noted that more than half of breached Nigerian users remain vulnerable to cyber-related crimes.
“Statistically, 10 out of 100 Nigerian people have been affected by data breaches,” the report stated.
Further analysis showed that leaked data linked to Nigerian users included highly sensitive information such as Social Security-related records, payment card details, residential addresses, and personal contact information.
According to the report, about 3,900 Social Security-related records and 1,600 payment card details were exposed, alongside 1.9 million phone numbers and more than 925,000 residential addresses.
The cybersecurity firm warned that the growing scale of data exposure reflects increasing vulnerabilities in the global digital ecosystem as businesses accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.
Commenting on the trend, Tomas Stamulis, chief security officer, Surfshark, said the rapid integration of AI systems by companies has significantly expanded the volume of user data being collected and stored.
According to him, businesses are increasingly relying on AI-driven tools for automation, analytics and operational efficiency, leading to the accumulation of larger datasets that could become attractive targets for cybercriminals.
The report cited industry statistics indicating that 20.2 per cent of companies used AI technologies in 2025, up from 8.7 per cent in 2023.
“These AI-driven systems collect and log more detailed user information for automation, analytics, and model improvement,” Stamulis said.
He added that while artificial intelligence improves productivity and operational efficiency, it also increases the number of systems organisations must secure, thereby creating additional opportunities for cyberattacks and data leaks.
Stamulis further warned that compromised personal information often retains value for cybercriminals long after passwords or email credentials have been changed.
According to him, hackers frequently combine old and newly leaked information into so-called “combo lists,” which are repeatedly traded or deployed for fraudulent activities and identity theft schemes.
He advised internet users to minimise the amount of sensitive personal information shared online, use alternative email identities or masking services where possible, and provide confidential information only when necessary.
The report also showed that global breached accounts in the first quarter of 2026 tripled compared to the corresponding period of 2025 and rose by 22 per cent relative to the fourth quarter of 2025, underscoring the growing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks worldwide.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has raised alarm over a new artificial intelligence-powered malware known as “DeepLoad,” warning that the cyber threat is actively targeting Nigerian government agencies, financial institutions, businesses and individuals.
The agency disclosed this in a critical advisory issued through its Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT.NG) and shared via its official X account.
The warning comes amid a growing wave of cyber-attacks targeting Nigerian organisations, including private institutions such as banks and government agencies like the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
According to NITDA, DeepLoad is an AI-enhanced malware strain designed to infiltrate systems, steal sensitive information and evade conventional antivirus detection systems.
“The malware is distributed through a social engineering technique involving fake website error,” the advisory stated.
NITDA explained that the malware spreads through deceptive website prompts that trick users into executing malicious commands on their computers.
“Once executed, DeepLoad silently installs itself, harvests stored credentials and sensitive data from major browsers, and leverages artificial intelligence to evade antivirus detection,” the agency said.
The agency further warned that one of the most dangerous features of the malware is its ability to remain active even after attempted removal.
“Critically, the malware incorporates a hidden WMI-based persistence mechanism capable of reactivating the infection up to three days after apparent removal,” it stated.
NITDA stressed that the severity of the threat requires immediate action from both organisations and individuals across the country.
“Given its severity and confirmed active targeting of Nigerian entities, all organizations and individuals must implement the protective measures outlined in this advisory immediately,” the agency added.
The agency warned that individuals, government institutions, businesses, large organisations and small enterprises are all vulnerable to the rapidly evolving cyber threat posed by DeepLoad.
According to NITDA, a successful DeepLoad infection could grant cybercriminals unauthorised access to bank accounts, mobile money services and payment cards, while also enabling the theft of passwords, documents and sensitive personal information stored on web browsers.
The agency warned that the stolen information could be exploited for identity fraud, allowing criminals to impersonate victims for financial gain.
For organisations, NITDA said infections could trigger operational disruptions requiring complete system isolation and remediation procedures. It added that attacks on government systems could compromise classified networks and pose broader national security risks.
To prevent infections, NITDA advised Nigerians never to paste commands from websites into their computers, noting that legitimate software providers do not request such actions.
The agency also cautioned users against opening suspicious files such as “Chrome Setup” or “Firefox Installer” from USB drives and advised that all external storage devices be scanned with antivirus software before use.
NITDA further recommended enabling two-factor authentication on important accounts and avoiding the storage of banking passwords directly on web browsers.
For organisations, the agency urged companies to immediately sensitise staff about the DeepLoad threat, enable PowerShell Script Block Logging across Windows systems and review browser extensions for unauthorised installations.
The advisory also recommended blocking malicious domains, including holiday-updateservice[.]com, forest-entity[.]cc and hell1-kitty[.]cc, at firewall and DNS levels.
Additionally, organisations were advised to check for hidden WMI Event Subscriptions that could allow the malware to survive standard cleanup procedures.
NITDA said institutions that suspect infections should immediately disconnect affected systems from the internet, change all passwords from clean devices, isolate compromised systems, activate incident response teams and report incidents to the agency within 72 hours as required by law.
The latest warning has added to growing concerns over cyber attacks targeting Nigeria’s financial and digital infrastructure in recent months.
In April, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) warned about coordinated cyber threats targeting Nigeria’s financial systems and critical digital infrastructure, urging organisations to strengthen their data protection architecture.
The warning also followed the commission’s announcement of an investigation into an alleged data breach involving Remita Payment Services, Sterling Bank and other entities.
Similarly, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) temporarily shut down its website between April 17 and April 20, 2026, following reports that about 25 million documents may have been exfiltrated during a suspected cyber attack.
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