How Many Spyware and Malware Attacks Are There in 2023?

Technology moves fast, and everybody loves it! New systems, software, and hardware are making life easier and more exciting. But wait, there's a catch!

Spyware and malware are lurking around, posing serious threats to your online life. They can compromise privacy, hack data, steal money and slow down your devices. 

Whether you're a mobile or computer user, knowing how to stay safe is a must. 

In this article, you will learn about the latest statistics on spyware and malware – specifically on their targets, mobile context, and impact.

Let’s get started!

Spyware and Malware Statistics 2023

Spyware and malware pose significant threats to Internet users. Spyware affects 80% of all internet users, with each computer containing about 93% of these harmful components. 

Moreover, a staggering 560,000 new malware pieces are discovered daily, contributing to over 1 billion circulating.                                                                                   

To know more about these, read below for other spyware and malware statistics.

Spyware and Malware Statistics by Operating System

Operating Systems, or OS, are crucial in running a computer's hardware and applications while managing and controlling its resources. Ensuring the security of the OS is of utmost importance.

The most popular OS types include Windows, Linux, and MacOS. Notably, there are approximately 32.8 million Linux users worldwide. In 2023, the number of Mac users reached 100 million globally.

Let's look at the statistics associated with spyware and malware infections based on various operating systems:

1. MacOS had minor malware infections, with only 6.2% in 2022. 

(Apple Insider, Elastic Security Lab)

In 2022, MacOS experienced minor malware infections, accounting for a mere 6.2% of reported cases. MacKeeper emerged as the primary threat to Mac users, as identified by a cybersecurity report by Elastic Security Labs. 

Nevertheless, MacOS ranks lower regarding security threats than Windows and Linux, with Windows facing 54% and Linux facing 39.4% of malware infections, respectively.

2. Windows computers were targets of 83% of all Malware attacks in Q1 2020. 

(PCMag)     

Windows has long been considered the most vulnerable operating system, attracting a higher rate of cybercrime. With a global market share of approximately 51%, Windows remains a lucrative target for attackers. 

Windows 10 alone accounted for 357 out of the 660 reported security gaps associated with Microsoft. Windows users face a higher susceptibility to various types of malware, including: 

• Trojans (64.31%)
• Viruses (15.52%)
• Worms, and other malware(7.79%)                                            

3. Linux malware rates rise increased in 2022 by 50%.

(LinuxInsider)

In 2022, Linux malware and threats increased - accounting for 1.9 million threats. New malware threats also dropped by 39% or 73.7 million in 2022. Most of these (854,690 threats) were seen in the 1st quarter 2022. However, it fell by 3% in the second quarter to 833,065. 

Linux detection numbers plummeted in the third quarter of last year by 91% or 75,841. But they picked up again in the fourth quarter of 2022, growing by 117% or 164,697.

Spyware and Malware by Browser Statistics

In 2020, web browsing platforms accounted for 15.84% of all malware reported. However, there was a decline in this percentage, dropping to 11.09% during the same year. This downward trend indicates positive strides in reducing browser-related malware.

Within web browsing platforms, Android contributed to 3.24% of all malware cases reported in 2020. This statistic underscores the significance of implementing robust security measures on desktop and mobile devices.

4. Google Chrome has the most vulnerable browser, with 3,159+ vulnerabilities.

(LiveMint)

With a staggering 3,159 cumulative vulnerabilities, Google Chrome has earned the unenviable title of the most vulnerable browser. In 2022 alone, it recorded 303 vulnerabilities, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit its weaknesses. 

Notably, Google Chrome experienced new vulnerabilities within just five days in October 2022, setting it apart from other browsers. Comparatively, Mozilla's Firefox ranked second with 117 reported vulnerabilities.

5. Opera Browser has only relatively secure, with 344 Vulnerabilities.

(LiveMint)

In 2022, the Opera browser has not documented any vulnerabilities, providing users with a sense of security. However, it is essential to note that since its inception, Opera has encountered 344 vulnerabilities. 

Spyware and Malware Target Statistics

Cyber attacks have been rated the fifth top-rated risk in 2020. There were over 5.6 billion malware attacks in 2020, a relatively low number compared to the 9.9 billion attacks in 2019.

Malware threats compromise the security of programs by targeting vulnerable servers and resources. These attacks can occur anywhere and affect anyone.

Who are the main targets of malicious software? Find out below:

6. Global industries experienced 1,234 malware incidents from Nov 2020 to Oct 2021.

(Statista)

From November 2020 to October 2021, global industries experienced 1,234 malware incidents. This indicates that industries and professional sectors are prime targets for malware attacks. The information sector follows closely, with 775 attacks, and the manufacturing industry, with 621 attacks.

7. Enterprises are the main target for ransomware, with around 21.9% of attacks. 

(Comparitech)

Enterprises, professional services, and corporations are the primary targets for ransomware attacks, accounting for approximately 21.9% of such attacks. Public sector organizations follow at 14.4%, healthcare organizations at 10%, and software services at 9.4%. 

On the other hand, financial institutions experience a lower percentage of ransomware attacks, with a decline from 8.9% to 6.4% within the first three months of 2023.

8. Almost 10% of all US businesses experienced a cyberattack weekly in 2019. 

(LegalJobs)

Small businesses face a significant threat from cyberattacks, with almost 10% of all US businesses experiencing a cyberattack weekly in 2019. In 2020 there were over 5.6 billion malware attacks, while in 2019, the number reached 9.9 billion. Small businesses bear the brunt of these attacks, accounting for 43%. 

Furthermore, small-medium-sized businesses in the UK face approximately 65,000 hacking attempts daily. The average cost of a data breach in the UK is $3.8 million, slightly below the global average of $3.92 million.

9. 7% of websites tested for malware were infected.

(Google and Dataprot)

In 2022, out of the 200 million active websites, 7% were infected with malware. While the number of websites containing malware has shown a decline since 2007, COVID-19 brought about a significant increase in malware-infected sites.

Mobile Spyware and Malware Statistics

Mobile malware targets mobile gadgets such as smartphones and tablets. This malware exploits mobile OS and technology. Despite its similar purpose, mobile malware differs from pc malware as it specializes in smartphone features and vulnerabilities.

Mobile malware invasions are increasingly common, targeting smartphones and tablets to exploit their specific vulnerabilities and features. Unlike PC malware, mobile malware focuses on exploiting smartphone vulnerabilities.

Here are some of the Mobile Spyware and Malware Statistics:

10. China has the most mobile malware threats at 17.70%.

(Statista)

China leads in mobile malware threats, accounting for 17.70% of reported cases. It is followed by Syria at 15.61%, Iran at 14.53%, Yemen at 14.39%, and Iraq at 8.44%. It is worth noting that the distribution of mobile malware threats in these countries may vary compared to reports from 2021, with Iran having the highest malware threat at 24% of mobile users infected.

11. Malware accounted for the largest portion of attacks on mobile users, with 80.69%.

In 2021, malware accounted for the largest portion of attacks on mobile users, comprising 80.69% of reported cases. Additionally, adware-based attacks increased to 16.92% from 14.62% in 2020, while attacks using RiskWare-class apps decreased to 2.38% from 3.21%. 

12. There are 438 thousand malicious installation packages on mobile devices worldwide.

(Statista)

From the fourth quarter of 2015 to the second quarter of 2022, there has been an ebb and flow in the prevalence of malicious installation packages on mobile devices worldwide. 

This fluctuation can be attributed to adopting proper cybersecurity practices and increased education about malware and spyware detection.

Impact of Spyware and Malware Statistics

The effects of spyware and malware are broad and include businesses and the government. Damages caused by malware threats infect personal computers and corporate networks. It varies from outgoing traffic to complete loss of network or data.

To understand these, below are some statistics on the impacts of spyware and malware throughout different industries:

13. 113 Federal, state, and municipal governments were attacked by ransomware.

(Emsisoft)

Since 2019, a total of 113 federal, state, and municipal governments have fallen victim to ransomware attacks. These include counties, states, federal agencies, and municipal governments.

14. 80 Healthcare Facilities in the United States were affected.

(Health IT Security)

In 2022, ransomware attacks targeted healthcare provider facilities, impacting 560 organizations and affecting 2,354 individuals in the United States. Over the past year, the healthcare sector also experienced 80 malware attacks. Notably, Universal Health Services, which operates 400 hospitals and care facilities in the US, experienced a significant attack.

15. 84 incidents of malware and spyware impacted 1,681 schools, colleges, and universities.

(Emsisoft)

84 malware and spyware incidents impacted 1,681 educational institutions, including colleges, universities, and schools. Of these, 26 affected colleges/universities, and 58 were reported in school districts. 

These attacks disrupted in-class and e-learning classes, causing significant disruptions to the learning process. Some institutions paid ransom to regain system access, like:

• UCSF ($1.4 million)
• The University of Utah (under $500,000)
• Sheldon Independent School District (over $200,000)

Final Thoughts

These statistics on spyware and malware prove that the numbers are indeed concerning. It is no secret that an increasing number of individuals and enterprises are becoming victims of these malware attacks.

Practicing proactive measures over your devices and computers is a must. This can avoid falling prey to malicious software and potential spyware apps and networks.

The best way to prevent these is to install credible antivirus software, avoid visiting suspicious links, and secure your web browsers or pc. You can also ignore suspicious email attachments and regularly back up your important data.