More ICS devices targeted with ransomware, spyware, cryptojacking malware

Nearly 32% of industrial control system devices had malicious objects blocked by Kaspersky during the first six months of 2022, which was almost unchanged since 2020, but the prevalence of blocked spyware, cryptojacking malware, and ransomware has increased between 2020 and 2022 as malware families rose from nearly 5,000 to more than 7,200 during the same period, reports SecurityWeek. Blocked spyware including backdoors, keyloggers, and trojans on ICS devices has increased since the first six months of 2020, a Kaspersky study revealed. The findings also showed a steady increase in cryptojacking malware, with web browser-based cryptocurrency miners and miner executables discovered in 1.8% and 2.3% of devices, respectively. Moreover, blocked ransomware on ICS devices reached its highest level since the first half of 2020. Middle East and Latin America had the highest growth in malware detection, while building automation and oil and gas sectors were most targeted with malware, according to the study.