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Nigeria becomes 13th most vulnerable country to cyberattacks

January 20, 2025

Between May and December 2024, Nigeria becomes 13th most vulnerable country to cyberattacks in seven months, climbing from the 35th to the 13th position on the Global Threat Index.

During this period, the country’s normalized risk index escalated from 46.5% to 62.3%, indicating heightened vulnerability to cyber threats.

The Global Threat Index, a monthly assessment by Check Point Software Technologies, evaluates the global cyber threat landscape using credible threat intelligence.

In December 2024, eight African nations were among the top 20 most targeted countries, with Ethiopia ranking first globally. Ethiopia maintained its position as the most attacked nation, recording a 98.2% normalized risk index out of 106 countries analyzed.

Other African countries preceding Nigeria on the list included Uganda (8th), Angola (9th), and Ghana (11th).

Kenya held the 17th position with a normalized risk index of 57.6%, followed by Mozambique at 18th with 56.9%. Côte d’Ivoire ranked 20th, showing an increased normalized risk index of 55.6% compared to the previous month.

FunkSec

In December, the ransomware group FunkSec was notably active, accounting for 14% of all reported breaches. The group leaked confidential data of over 85 victims during the month, surpassing other ransomware groups in activity.

FunkSec, reportedly linked to Algeria, appears motivated by financial gain and hacktivist ideologies, utilizing AI-assisted tactics that reflect the growing use of advanced technologies in cybercrime.

Other significant cyber threats during the same period included FakeUpdates, responsible for 5% of attacks on organizations worldwide, and both AgentTesla and Androxgh0st, each accounting for 3% of attacks.

Globally, the education, communications, and military sectors were the most targeted industries, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities in sectors heavily reliant on interconnected systems and sensitive data.

Maya Horowitz, VP of Research at Check Point Software, emphasized the need for organizations to adopt advanced threat prevention measures to safeguard against the evolving landscape of sophisticated attacks.

Nigeria’s digital economy has seen substantial growth, with internet users reaching 134.78 million and broadband penetration at 42.24% as of October 2024, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission.

However, this digital expansion is threatened by the rapid increase in cyber incidents. To sustain this growth trajectory, the government must invest in and upgrade its cyber defense infrastructure, moving beyond merely issuing threat alerts.