2024 Mid-Year Assessment of Phishing Trends

This report presents a mid-year assessment of phishing trends for 2024, detailing significant increases in phishing attacks and the evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals. The analysis reveals a staggering 341% rise in malicious emails over the past six months, with a total increase of 856% in the last year. The introduction of generative AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, has transformed the phishing landscape, enabling more sophisticated attacks. The report highlights various types of phishing threats, including credential phishing, which has surged by 217%, and QR-based phishing, which now represents 11% of email threats. It emphasizes the importance of robust security measures, particularly as mobile devices remain vulnerable. The report also discusses the challenges posed by CAPTCHA-based attacks and the necessity for security vendors to enhance their defenses against these evolving threats. Overall, the document underscores the urgent need for organizations to adapt their cybersecurity strategies in response to these alarming trends.