E-Business
Trend Micro’s Device Blocks Malicious Mails Targeted @ Nigerians
Trend Micro Incorporated, global cybersecurity leader, has said it blocked more than 10 million email threats, over 800, 000 malicious Uniform Resource Locator (URLs) and almost 4, 500 malicious mobile applications targeted at Nigerian businesses and consumers between January and June, this year.
In a statement, the firm said it happened when the complexity of the country’s cybersecurity threat landscape continues to intensify.
The statement said the findings were brought to life by the Trend Micro 2023 Midyear Cybersecurity Threat Report, which presents highlights from the company’s telemetry covering the broadest attack surface view across millions of commercial and consumer clients.
The report also uncovers key trends in criminal techniques, tactics and threat actor activity, providing important guidance for defenders looking to stay one step ahead of calculating cyber criminals.
Gareth Redelinghuys, country managing director, African Cluster, Trend Micro, said: “With each passing month, the local threat landscape becomes more intricate and convoluted. Our latest research shows that illegal actors are shifting targets and getting increasingly creative to become more efficient and prolific. Prioritising a set of proactive and holistic security solutions has never been more important.”
Furthermore the statement stated that during the first half of 2023, around 2.4 million malware families were blocked by Trend Micro in Nigeria.
“Ransomware, in particular, is a challenge for local companies, with hundreds of ransomware detections in June alone. However, the Midyear Report offers valuable insight into the ways in which ransomware groups are operating – not only updating their tools and techniques to extract data more efficiently, but also adapting their business models.
Earlier this year Trend Micro researchers discovered a new ransomware that uses legitimate search engine tools to search for files to encrypt. Investigation into this new ransomware, which researchers named ‘Mimic’, suggests a connection with the larger and more notorious Conti ransomware group. It’s suspected that collaboration between these criminal groups helps them lower costs and increase their market presence while also maintaining the efficacy of their criminal activities.
According to the report, many ransomware players are also turning their data exfiltration efforts toward tactics such as cryptocurrency theft and business email compromise (BEC).
Another key trend that emerged in the first half of 2023 was the use of AI by cybercriminals to carry out virtual crimes more efficiently.
A significant number of recently, malicious actors have abused AI technology to accurately impersonate real people as part of their attacks and scams. In fact, imposter scams such as virtual kidnapping are becoming increasingly rampant globally.
In the case of virtual kidnapping, malicious actors are able to create a deep fake voice of their victim’s child and use it as proof that they have the child in their possession to pressure the victim into sending large ransom amounts.
At the same time, ChatGPT and other AI tools are enabling criminals to automate the gathering of information, formation of target groups, and identification of vulnerable behaviours.
This is helping them lure big-name victims (also known as “big fish”) in harpoon whaling attacks.
Whaling involves tricking executives and directors through phishing campaigns for the purpose of stealing information or siphoning large sums of money.
Harpoon whaling, on the other hand, involves extensive research on targeted individuals.
This attack is a highly targeted social engineering scam that involves emails crafted with a sense of urgency and that contain personalised information about the targeted executive or director.
With AI tools becoming increasingly adept at creating text that can seem human-crafted; the effort needed to attack executives has been drastically reduced, making the targeting of hundreds of thousands of executives easier than ever before.
As innovations continue to evolve and involve more data, threat actors have also been finding more ways to victimise people.
For example, today’s connected cars contain over 100 million lines of code, giving smart functionality to the user but also opening doors to hackers. As more smart cars saturate the market, attackers will try to gain access to user account data and leverage it for crimes.
By hijacking or stealing such an account via phishing for credentials or installing malware, a cyber-criminal could locate the car, break into it and potentially sell it on for parts or follow-on crimes.
They might even be able to locate the owner’s home address and target it for burglary when they’re not in.
Threat actors have also been casting a wider net by leveraging vulnerabilities in smaller platforms for more specific targets, such as file transfer service MOVEit, business communications software 3CX, and print management software solution PaperCut.
“The increasingly sophisticated tactics being employed by hackers present a particular concern for local businesses which face untold potential damages at the hands of these malicious actors. It’s critical for defenders to gain a thorough understanding of the potential risks they are facing. Knowing these threats will help them make more informed decisions and ultimately take proactive measures to stay ahead in the increasingly convoluted cat and mouse game of cybersecurity,” Zaheer Ebrahim, solutions architect, Middle East and Africa at Trend Micro, said.
In a new report, Kaspersky identified over 7 million compromised accounts belonging to streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and others. For millions of Gen Z users, these streaming platforms play a central role in how this generation socialises and connects with global culture.
To raise their awareness and build digital resilience, Kaspersky has launched “Case 404” — an interactive cyber-detective game that helps Gen Z recognise hidden dangers and learn how to protect their digital lives.
Streaming platforms have become digital sanctuaries for Gen Z. According to recent studies, Gen Z not only spends more on streaming platforms than any other generation but also actively participates in online fandoms, sharing clips, memes and fan theories across social media: episodes become memes, quotes turn into tweets, and characters live on through edits, debates, and TikTok trends.
Yet this always-online, highly engaged behaviour comes with hidden risks. The very devices Gen Z uses to stream their favourite shows can become entry points for cybercriminals through malware infections. These threats often hide in unofficial downloads, pirated content, browser extensions, or compromised apps, silently collecting login credentials, session data, and other personal information.
Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence team analysed compromised credentials linked to the major streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Max) and uncovered 7,035,236 cases in 2024. These weren’t stolen directly from the platforms themselves but were collected as part of broader credential theft campaigns.
Netflix: A major target for cybercriminals
It’s no surprise that Netflix is the defining streaming brand for Gen Z. Netflix leads both in popularity and in exposure, with 5,632,694 compromised accounts detected. Brazil had the highest number of exposed Netflix credentials in 2024, followed by Mexico and India.
Disney+
Kaspersky experts detected 680,850 Disney+ accounts in leaked datasets. Again, Brazil stood out as the country with the most breached accounts, followed by Mexico and Germany.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video, though smaller in volume with 1,607 compromised accounts, still plays a significant role, especially among Gen Z viewers looking for more subversive or edgy narratives. In 2024, Mexico, Brazil, and France were the top countries with leaked Prime Video accounts.
Once a device is infected, cybercriminals don’t stop at the streaming app. Malware collects sensitive data — account credentials, cookies, bank card details — which are then sold or leaked on underground forums. Sometimes, attackers give this data away just to build their reputation.
These forums are active, fast-moving, and accessible to a wide range of malicious actors. What begins as a compromised Netflix password can quickly snowball into broader digital intrusion, identity theft, or financial fraud, especially if the same credentials are reused across services.
As streaming platforms, fandom culture, and social media become deeply woven into Gen Z’s everyday experience, cyberthreats are adapting to target the spaces they trust most. To respond to this shift, Kaspersky has created “Case 404” — an interactive cybersecurity game explicitly tailored for Gen Z users.
In this digital quest, players step into the role of AI-powered cyber-detectives, investigating realistic online crimes inspired by current threats. Upon completing all cases, users receive a discount on Kaspersky Premium, turning new knowledge into actionable protection.
“For Generation Z, streaming is more than entertainment; it’s a daily habit, a source of identity and community. But that emotional connection also creates a blind spot. Malware hidden in unofficial downloads or third-party tools silently steals login credentials and personal data, which are then traded or sold on cybercriminal forums.
Protecting your streaming account today means thinking beyond passwords — it means securing your devices, avoiding suspicious downloads, and being mindful of where your clicks lead you,” comments Polina Tretyak, digital footprint analyst at Kaspersky.
In a powerful stride towards an inclusive digital future, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is spearheading a transformative drive to empower Nigerian women in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital economy.
This commitment was resoundingly reiterated by NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, at the “Innovate Her 25” conference, the 10th National Conference and 11th Annual Meeting of Nigerian Women in Information Technology.
Speaking at the event themed “Women in AI: Unlocking Resilience, Fostering Innovation and Leadership,” Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, emphasised that true innovation blossoms not in isolation, but through synergistic partnerships and collective endeavor – principles deeply embedded in NITDA’s operational ethos.
Highlighting Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, Inuwa added that inclusivity is embedded as a core objective: “Our strategic roadmap mandates that at least 40% of our programmes directly benefit women and underserved groups. We have also developed a Gender Inclusion Strategy to guide interventions in areas such as training and infrastructure,” he explained.
Further underscoring Nigeria’s leadership in the digital space, Inuwa excitingly announced that in September 2025, NITDA will proudly host a Leadership Summit on AI. This landmark event will convene stakeholders from across the African continent, fostering a collaborative environment to forge a unified AI vision for Africa.
In alignment with the conference’s focus on empowering women in technology, the DG detailed NITDA’s diverse capacity-building initiatives spanning AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. “We work with partners such as the Renew Hope Initiative to train thousands of women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones,” he revealed, highlighting the agency’s broad reach.
NITDA stands ready to collaborate with organisations like the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIT), actively encouraging proposals for bespoke programmes that cater to specific community needs. “We focus on targeted training with measurable outcomes, rather than generic approaches,” Inuwa affirmed, emphasising a results-oriented methodology.
He further spotlighted NITDA’s “Digital Literacy for All Initiative,” which seeks to equip 70% of Nigerians with digital literacy by 2027. Through strategic partnerships with the NYSC and the integration of digital literacy into national school curricula, the agency plans to train over 30 million Nigerians — with a dedicated focus on underserved communities and public servants.
Addressing critical concerns surrounding ethical AI, Inuwa emphasised the importance of developing indigenous datasets and large language models reflective of Nigeria’s unique realities: “We are working closely with stakeholders to build local datasets that safeguard Nigerians’ digital rights and ensure ethical AI use,” he assured.
NITDA is also championing mentorship for women in technology through impactful initiatives such as Women Innovate. The agency warmly welcomes collaboration with NIWIT to design structured mentorship programmes and is open to formalising such partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
“NITDA is committed to fostering inclusive economic growth through innovation. Partnership and collaboration remain the way forward,” Inuwa declared.
The session concluded with a resounding call to action, urging women-focused organisations to leverage NITDA’s open-door policy and unite in advancing digital inclusion across Nigeria. The future of Nigeria’s digital economy is inclusive, and women are at its forefront.
Amazon’s management on Wednesday said that it expects that artificial intelligence software will reduce the number of office workers at the world’s largest online retailer.
Andy Jassy, chief executive, Amazon
“We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today and more people doing other types of jobs,” Andy Jassy, chief executive, Amazon wrote in an email to employees.
He said it was difficult to predict how the overall workforce will evolve, but in the next few years, it is expected that AI efficiency gains will lead to a reduction in the number of office workers.
According to earlier reports, Amazon employed around 1.5 million people worldwide, with approximately 350,000 office employees in various roles.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the company does not anticipate further large-scale layoffs, as seen in 2022 and 2023, in the near future.
Instead, it expects that vacant positions will not be refilled.
However, layoffs are not ruled out, according to sources familiar with the matter.
“Amazon is focusing on so-called AI agents, software capable of independently performing tasks. These agents could, for example, summarise information from the web and data sources, write software, translate languages and automate many time-consuming tasks,” Mr Jassy explained.
“Agents will be teammates that we can call on at various stages of our work,” he added, urging employees to experiment with AI whenever possible.
The impact of AI on the job market has been a concern for many years.
Recently, Spotify, the leader in music streaming, announced that teams requesting additional staff would first need to prove that AI could not perform the tasks.
The creators of the language-learning app Duolingo plan to gradually replace external workers with AI.
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