Microsoft: Ransomware and DDoS attacks are on the rise

Microsoft released the fifth version of Microsoft Digital Defense Report. The report shows that the number of cyber threats is increasing around the world.

Microsoft wrote in the report that more than 600 million electronic attacks threaten users of the company's products and services every day. The number of ransomware attack attempts has more than doubled in the past year, and Microsoft had to deal with more than 1.25 million DDoS attacks in the second half of 2024. This represents a doubling of DDoS attacks compared to the previous year.

Important with passwordless authentication

When it comes to identity-based cyberattacks, 99 percent of them are password attacks. Microsoft said it blocked nearly 7,000 identity-based attacks per second last year. The company now points out that it is important for more users to switch to password-free authentication, such as biometric login and key-based authentication.

Microsoft also states that a significant portion of attacks come from state-backed actors in Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China. These attacks target both individuals and organizations, and are becoming “increasingly serious and sophisticated,” according to Microsoft.