Darktrace 2024 Annual Threat Report: The Rise of Malware-as-a-Service and Evolving Cyber Threats

Cybercrime on the Rise: Darktrace’s 2024 Annual Threat Report Unveils Alarming Trends

In a startling revelation, Darktrace has released its 2024 Annual Threat Report, indicating that Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) now accounts for a staggering 57% of all cyber threats targeting organizations worldwide. This marks a significant shift in the cyber landscape, as Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS) models continue to proliferate, enabling even novice hackers to launch sophisticated attacks.

The report, compiled by Darktrace’s Threat Research team using its advanced Self-Learning AI, highlights a 17% increase in MaaS usage in the latter half of 2024. Remote Access Trojans (RATs) have also surged, representing 46% of campaign activity, up from just 12% earlier in the year. These tools allow attackers to remotely control infected devices, facilitating data theft and surveillance.

Phishing remains a favored tactic among cybercriminals, with over 30.4 million phishing emails detected in 2024. Notably, 38% of these were spear phishing attempts aimed at high-value targets, while 32% employed AI-generated text to enhance their deception. Alarmingly, 70% of phishing emails bypassed standard DMARC authentication, showcasing the evolving sophistication of these threats.

Nathaniel Jones, VP of Threat Research at Darktrace, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “Ransomware-as-a-Service tools, combined with the growing use of AI, are allowing even low-skilled attackers to engineer convincing, targeted attacks at scale.”

As cybercriminals increasingly exploit vulnerabilities in edge devices and leverage legitimate tools to evade detection, organizations must prioritize cyber resilience. Darktrace warns that traditional security measures are struggling to keep pace with the rapid evolution of threats, urging businesses to proactively address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The message is clear: in the battle against cybercrime, vigilance and adaptability are paramount.