Kaspersky Alerts Nigerians About Surge in Data-Stealing Malware

Kaspersky has raised alarms about a growing threat of malware targeting Nigerian users, revealing that in the year 2025, their security systems prevented more than 4 million cyberattacks aimed at individuals across the country.

The company's telemetry indicated that spyware and password-stealing malware were the most prevalent categories of attacks, exhibiting significant year-on- year growth. Specifically, incidents involving spyware, which is malicious software designed to harvest personal information, surged by 28% compared to the previous year. Likewise, attacks utilizing password stealers, which are engineered to collect users’ login details, increased by 22%.

In contrast, attacks involving exploits saw a slight decrease; however, they remain a serious concern, with such programs created to leverage weaknesses in applications or operating systems to gain unauthorized access and trigger unintended actions in software. Although ransomware attacks remain strategically focused, they pose substantial risks to organizations, which must also fortify themselves against potential threats from supply chain vulnerabilities and trusted relationship breaches.

Overall, Kaspersky's protective measures blocked over 4 million online threats directed at users in Nigeria in 2025. This tally includes diverse threats such as password stealers and spyware, along with an additional 9 million threats identified through physical devices like infected USB drives.

Moses Munguti, Kaspersky's Technical Expert and Team Lead in Africa, noted, "Collaborative efforts such as those orchestrated by INTERPOL, exemplified by operations like Serengeti, highlight the importance of international cooperation and the sharing of threat intelligence to combat cybercrime effectively across the African continent. Concurrently, both organizations and individual users must remain vigilant about potential cybersecurity threats and adopt best practices in cyber hygiene. Advanced security solutions, such as Kaspersky Next for businesses and Kaspersky Premium for private users, can significantly reduce vulnerabilities to cyber threats."

Malware typically infiltrates devices via phishing attacks and deceptive websites that apply social engineering tactics. If operating systems, browsers, or applications are not regularly updated, hackers can exploit security gaps to embed malware. To mitigate the risk of such infections, Kaspersky experts recommend the following best practices for individuals and organizations:

\- Exercise caution with links and attachments, always verifying the sender before opening any files.

\- Download software exclusively from verified sources and promptly install updates.

\- Utilize strong, unique passwords and apply multi-factor authentication where available.

\- Invest in reputable security software capable of detecting malware proactively.

\- Regularly back up critical data.

\- Stay informed about existing cyber threats and uphold good digital hygiene to safeguard devices and information.

About Kaspersky: Founded in 1997, Kaspersky is a leading global entity in cybersecurity and digital privacy, currently protecting over a billion devices from emerging cyber threats and specialized attacks. The company continually evolves its threat intelligence and security expertise into innovative solutions designed to shield individuals, enterprises, critical infrastructure, and governmental entities worldwide. Kaspersky's extensive portfolio includes robust security for personal devices, tailored security solutions for businesses, and advanced defenses against sophisticated digital threats.