Guest: Chief Security Evangelist at ESET, Tony Anscombe

South Africa is the most targeted country in Africa, when it comes to infostealer and ransomware attacks, according to global cybersecurity company ESET’s bi-annual Threat Report. Data and expert insight collected between June and November 2024, revealed that over 40% of ransomware attacks, and just under 35% of infostealer incidents on the continent occurred in South Africa. Across Africa, phishing remains the top threat, making up 34% of all detected attacks. 

Being at the forefront of the continent’s digital transformation and having a relatively strong economy, puts South Africa in the crosshairs for sophisticated cyber-attacks. Cybercriminals know that businesses, government, and individuals store a significant amount of their information online, which means ample opportunity for attacks.