In a report released on Tuesday, Kaspersky, a Russian cybersecurity and anti-virus provider, revealed that cryptocurrency phishing attacks have surged by 40% year-on-year in 2022. The company detected a staggering 5,040,520 crypto phishing attacks in the year, compared with 3,596,437 in 2021.
Phishing is a type of cyberattack where attackers trick individuals into providing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, and other personal information. In the case of cryptocurrency phishing, attackers use various tactics to steal the private keys or seed phrases of cryptocurrency wallets, which gives them access to the funds stored in them.
According to Kaspersky’s report, phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, making it more challenging for individuals to identify and avoid them. The report also highlights that attackers are using various social engineering tactics to lure victims into sharing their information, such as creating fake cryptocurrency exchange websites and social media profiles.
The report also revealed that the top three countries targeted by cryptocurrency phishing attacks in 2022 were the United States, Russia, and Brazil. The United States accounted for 29.5% of all attacks, followed by Russia with 13.2% and Brazil with 10.1%.
Kaspersky’s report serves as a timely reminder for cryptocurrency investors to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to protect their assets. Some of the best practices include using hardware wallets, using two-factor authentication, and avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
In conclusion, the surge in cryptocurrency phishing attacks is a worrying trend that highlights the need for increased awareness and education around cybersecurity. With the cryptocurrency market continuing to grow, it’s essential that individuals take the necessary steps to protect their assets and stay safe online.
