Q1 2020 Internet Security Report

Introduction

Sometimes we have bigger problems to address than cyber attacks.

That’s how I currently feel as I sit here trying to come up with some “fun” metaphorical illustration of why you should follow the cyber threat trends we present in this report. As I type this, a global pandemic has put lives and livelihoods at risk around the world, with a death rate at nearing half a million, not to mention

tens of millions unemployed. Meanwhile, another unjust police murder of a black man in the United States has proven that we have a long way to go in fighting the systemic racism in my country. When there are so many immediate threats, wrongs, pain, fear, and anger going on in our world, all of which affect our lives so directly, it’s hard to consider what seems like an abstract, indirect digital threat, let alone come up with a creative way to talk about it. Right now, I would rather skip the niceties and focus on helping you get to what matters most; keeping your families safe, your principles intact, and your businesses running as best they can.

Having said that, cybersecurity awareness and protection still matters to both your personal online safety and digital business viability during this pandemic. In fact, you probably need to stay more vigilant against digital threats during times like these. While your number one priority should remain keeping safe and running your business during this trying time, you should also know that cyber criminals tend to up their illegal activities during tragedies like these. Unfortunately, digital criminals prey on both the fears and philanthropy of disasters, taking advantage of both our uncertainty and generosity. This report shares their tools, tactics and procedures in hopes you can learn enough to defend yourself against their atrocious actions.

By gathering and analyzing data from tens of thousands of network security appliances, WatchGuard’s quarterly Internet Security Report (ISR) aims to help you recognize and defend against the statistically relevant cyber threats that affect most businesses today. Our threat team bases most of this report on quantifiable threat intelligence we receive from Fireboxes in the field. This data allows us to measurably identify which threats affected most customers last quarter, thus extrapolating the kinds of threats that will continue to affect you going forward. Using this knowledge, you can prepare the best cyber defenses ahead of time, hopefully giving you back time to concentrate on surviving and thriving during our current global calamity. Let’s get into it.