Global Hacking Statistics and Trends You Must Know

Users around the globe value their privacy and data safety. Globally, several cyber crimes have been reported, including hacking. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center recently received 800,944 cybercrime reports, with an estimated $10.3 billion loss.

These can cause system disruptions, compromised security, data breaches, malware attacks, phishing, etc. Anyone can be a target of these crimes; it is essential to get critical information about hacking as one of the leading problems of the cyber world. 

To learn more about the dangers and damages of hacking, here are the latest hacking statistics.

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• A hacking incident happens every 39 seconds.
• 99 % of accounts were hacked through Password Spraying.
• 4,800 websites are hacked and infected by Formjacking attacks.
• Hackers stole 40 million debit and credit card numbers from Target
• Roughly 143 million consumers were affected by the 2017 Equifax hacking. 
• The expected ransomware damage cost will rise to $265 billion.
• 46% of women experienced hacking in social media, higher than men with 37% only.
• 60% of phishing attacks target Financial Services.
• 21.9%  of ransomware attacks were directed at privately-owned companies.

How many hacking incidents happen in a year?

Every year more than 300,000 Americans are targeted and fall victim to hackers stealing their data to the FBI 2021 Crime Report. Approximately 1 in 3 Americans is a victim of a data breach yearly, data released by Proofpoint. 

The rising hacking cases are due to users poorly secured login credentials and the need for proper cybersecurity knowledge.

Here’s a closer look at the hacking statistics over the past few years:

Hacking Report Statistics 

The 2020 data shows that there were 4,000 confirmed breaches 2020, and 52% of these cases were hacking. It has a big difference from the data established in 2019. 

Let us take a closer look at these hacking report statistics.

1. A hacking incident happens every 39 seconds.

(Security Magazine)

Computers and other devices that connect to the internet are potential targets for hacking; hackers are incredibly well-versed in hijacking your online and social media accounts.

Hackers collect sensitive data that they will use for blackmailing, spying, or using the opportunity to manipulate their victims. 

2. 99 % of accounts are hacked through Password Spraying.

(Windows Central)

In January 2020. Microsoft discovered that hackers use Password Spraying - a technique that predicts passwords every user has until the hacker can access their account. 

Fortunately, web applications and social media sites offer multi-factor verification to add a layer of protection. If you do not have one, sign up for your account for Multi-factor protection to keep your account safe from password spraying.

3. 4,800 websites are hacked and infected by Formjacking attacks.

(Symantec)

Form jackets allow hackers to access users' personal information, with 4,800 websites infected. It enables the perpetrators to steal credit card numbers and login information. 

Miserably, there is $2.2 million worth of monthly damage caused by Formjacking attacks.

Most hacking attacks target unsecured websites containing personal information such as banking account numbers, mail addresses, and contact numbers.

Hacking Damage and Loss Statistics

Shifting to E-commerce has provided us with a convenient lifestyle to use online platforms to transact conveniently and remotely. Swipes and taps to online banking, mobile payments, and transactions made our lives easier. 

However, this is a double edge sword; This gives the hackers a playing field for their scams and malicious software attacks. 

Let us discover the reported detriment of hacking.

4. Hackers stole Target's 40 million debit and credit card numbers.

( Villanova University)

In December 2013, an announcement from Target shocked the world where hackers stole 40 million debit and credit card numbers in their in-store payments.

Worse, in the following month, they confirmed that 70 million customers' personal information was breached, including:

• Names
• Addresses
• Emails
• Telephone numbers

5. Roughly 143 million consumers were affected by the 2017 Equifax hacking.

(Money)

Similarly, Equifax suffered from a massive data breach affecting 143 million consumers. Due to this, the enterprise lost $4 billion. Later, the company was found liable for the breach and fined by Federal Trade Commission $425 million. 

6. The expected ransomware damage cost will rise to $265 billion.

(Cybersecurity Ventures)

The damage costs in ransomware hacking will rise to $265 billion in 2031. The Cybersecurity Venture estimated an increase of $20 billion in 2021 from the global damage caused by this cybercrime.

The damage is massive and painful to imagine. Most corporations who fell victim to these tricks admittedly struggled to bounce back. It is undeniable that not all businesses are capable of creating a security block for ransomware attacks.

Hacking Victim Demographics

Every internet user is a potential victim of hacking. The available target of hackers is like fish in a big ocean body.

The 2020 report of Verizon found that 70% of the hacking was financially motivated, and 40% was for blackmailing and exploitation. 

Let`s look at a data-driven perspective on which populations are more at risk of hacking.

7. 46% of women experienced hacking in social media, higher than men with 37% only. 

(Malwarebytes)

46% of women shared their experience of hacking in social media, which is slightly higher than men with 37%. Hackers target women more for identity theft and breaching their personal social media sites than men.

However, with the same data - men and women have similar rates of experience with hacking credit and debit card information. 

8. 60% of phishing attacks target Financial Services. 

(Sonic Wall)

Entities that offer financial services to users are more likely to be targeted by hackers than other types of businesses. This is obvious because hackers are financially motivated. The best way to earn money is to hack money-operated corporations. 

9. 21.9 % of ransomware attacks were directed at privately-owned companies.

(Comparitech)

Enterprises and corporations are targets of ransomware attacks made by hackers. Unfortunately, 14.9% of public institutions giving services to the people were also unsafe from ransomware hacks.

This is why most companies put a lot of money into cyber security.

Hacking Trends

Hackers worldwide have created hacking malware and viruses to attack government institutions, enterprises, and even global users, as we progress with connecting everyone worldwide. 

Global netizens know the harms of hacking, but do they recognize the trend and forms of these hacking activities? 

To know more about the latest trend and form of hacking, read below for more in-depth information.

10. 81% of global organizations were targeted more by email phishing attacks.

(Ironscales)

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been an increase in recorded cases of phishing attacks in global organizations.  According to Verizon, 30% of workers tend to open phishing emails. 

Commonly, a phishing attack takes the form of a known brand. 19% of users were deceived by phishing attacks through the impersonation of Outlook, followed by Facebook at 17%t, and Office 365 ranked third. 

11. In every 11 seconds, ransomware attacks businesses.

(Cyber Security Ventures)

As the world progresses, the businesses and operations of enterprises are using the internet to function and deliver services to consumers. 

This is why hackers target businesses; they send a ransomware attack, which leads to an operation ceasing and potentially compromising its consumers' data. Most enterprises will give in to the demand to continue their day-to-day operation and further control the damage.  

Hackers make a lot of money through ransomware; this is their go-to scheme for hacking.

12. Insider Threats made up 34% of total hacking attacks. 

(We Live Security).

Some hacking attacks were from a person affiliated with the company; in a study conducted by Verizon, it was found that 34% of cyber security attacks were directly or indirectly from employees.

Insider threats are more dangerous than outsider attacks. It`s easier to commit a crime when you can access the organization's network and computer.

When creating risk assessments for cyber security, it is also essential to ensure that all employees adhere to the company`s protocol.

Conclusion

Everyone can be a victim of hacking. There's no exemption from being safe from hacking since hackers are ruthlessly hardworking to make someone fall for their tricks. 

These hacking statistics reveal that being careful does not mean we are safe from hacking attacks. We need to establish layers of protection to remove the risk of getting hacked, for example, creating a complex login credential and avoiding using the same passwords for all internet accounts.

Enterprises should invest in cybercrime software to safeguard consumers' data and protect business operations from malware attacks.

Lastly, there's no better way to safeguard ourselves from hacking and malicious malware than to get updated information hacking statistics.