Trend Micro, a leading cybersecurity firm, successfully blocked over 52 million threats within the country, including over 40 million email threats and 1.6 million malicious URL attacks.
The firm also thwarted over 3.7 million malware attacks, demonstrating its role in safeguarding Moroccan digital assets.
The report notes a global rise in cyber threats, with Trend Micro blocking over 161 billion threats in 2023, a 10% increase compared to 2022.
The report also indicates a shift in tactics by cybercriminals. While overall detections of malicious URLs decreased by 27%, email malware detections spiked by 349%.
This suggests attackers are focusing on more targeted email campaigns with potentially more damaging malware.
“A cyber breach isn’t the end of the story; it’s our response that determines the outcome,” said Assad Arabi, Managing Director, Africa & Venture Markets, Trend Micro.
“Our proactive approach, including integrating AI-powered solutions, allows us to anticipate and neutralize potential breaches before they escalate into major crises,” he added.
The number of thwarted cyber threats in Morocco aligns with the country’s becoming a cybercrime hotspot.
A recent cybersecurity conference (Sleuthcon) revealed Morocco’s growing role in cybercrime. Traditionally, cybercrime has been dominated by established actors from specific countries. However, Morocco is now on the radar as a potential new hub for cybercriminals.
Microsoft researchers exposed a successful Moroccan group, Storm-0539 (alias Atlas Lion), specializing in a unique payment and gift card fraud scheme. This highlights the evolving tactics cybercriminals are adopting.
Another potential threat actor identified is Mr0x01, the admin behind OB Hacking with links to Gray Hat Hackers and other Telegram hacking groups..
The reasons behind this rise are unclear. Some speculate factors like Morocco’s low living costs and tourist money influx (Casablanca, Marrakech) might contribute. This, in turn, could lead to a more advanced IT infrastructure that cybercriminals can exploit.
Emiel Haeghebaert (Microsoft Threat Intelligence) noted the global reach of cybercrime. “North Africa isn’t typically associated with cybercrime,” he said. “This is new, and it shows the increasingly accessible nature of the cybercrime ecosystem allows criminals to operate from anywhere.”
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