IoT attacks Archives

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

‘Dangerous’ mobile apps on Google Play hit 42 million Android users, India top target: Report – The Times of India

A report from Zscaler reveals a significant increase in mobile security threats, with hundreds of malicious applications on the Google Play Store totaling over 42 million installs. Mobile malware has risen by 67% year-over-year, primarily due to spyware and banking malware. India is the most affected country, accounting for 26% of all mobile attacks, representing a 38% increase from the previous year. The United States leads in IoT attacks, responsible for 54% of such incidents. The energy sector has experienced a 387% increase in attacks, while manufacturing and transportation account for over 40% of total IoT malware incidents. Hackers are shifting focus from card fraud to exploiting mobile payment systems.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

A dangerous rise in Android malware hits critical industries

A study by Zscaler has reported a significant increase in mobile and IoT security incidents, with 239 malicious Android applications on Google Play downloaded 42 million times. There has been a 67% year-over-year increase in Android malware transactions, primarily involving spyware, banking trojans, and adware, which now constitutes 69% of all malware detections. The energy sector has seen a 387% rise in attack attempts, while manufacturing and transportation industries face over 40% of IoT threats. IoT attacks are largely driven by malware families like Mirai, Mozi, and Gafgyt, which account for about 75% of malicious payloads, with routers being the primary targets. Mobile attacks are concentrated in a few countries, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Productivity and Workflow Apps Target for Android Malware and IoT Attacks: Study

- There has been a 67% year-over-year increase in malware aimed at mobile devices. - A 387% rise in IoT and OT attacks has been observed, particularly in the energy sector. - Researchers identified 239 malicious applications on the Google Play Store, which collectively had 42 million downloads. - A significant amount of malware was found in the "Tools" category, where malicious apps disguised themselves as legitimate productivity tools. - The manufacturing sector is a primary target for mobile and IoT attacks, with manufacturing and transportation industries accounting for 20.2% of all observed IoT malware attacks. - Mobile attacks are primarily concentrated in India, the United States, and Canada, with the U.S. being the epicenter for IoT threats, accounting for 54% of incidents. - India leads in mobile attacks at 26%, followed by the U.S. at 15% and Canada at 14%, with India experiencing a 38% increase in mobile threat attacks compared to the previous year. - There is a shift from card-focused fraud schemes to mobile payment methods among threat actors.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

Beware: 239 Dangerous Android Apps Found on Google Play with 40M+ Installs

Cybersecurity threats targeting mobile devices and critical infrastructure have significantly increased, with Zscaler's research revealing that 239 malicious Android applications on the Google Play Store have been downloaded 42 million times. The energy sector has experienced a 387% rise in cyberattacks compared to the previous year. Malicious applications often disguise themselves as legitimate tools, exploiting user trust, especially in hybrid and remote work environments. There has been a 67% year-over-year increase in Android malware transactions, with spyware and banking malware posing significant risks. The manufacturing and transportation sectors accounted for 20.2% of all observed IoT malware attacks, with a shift in focus from manufacturing to include transportation. Approximately 40% of blocked transactions were linked to the Mirai malware family, while Mozi has become the second most prevalent. Geographically, India is the top target for mobile attacks (26%), followed by the United States (15%) and Canada (14%). The U.S. also leads in IoT malware incidents at 54%. New threats include Android Void malware, affecting 1.6 million Android TV boxes, and Xnotice, a Remote Access Trojan targeting job seekers in the oil and gas industry. Adware now represents 69% of mobile threats, surpassing the Joker malware family.