This year’s Internet Security Threat Report has ranked Nigeria sixth for overall Internet security threat and third in Africa for virus activities.

According to a report, which was released yesterday by global security firm, Symantec Corporation, Nigeria is ranked sixth in Africa after South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Mauritius.

The report also stated that, globally, her overall security threat profile improved from being ranked 59th in 2011 to 68th in 2012.

Confirming the report, Mr. Oseme Osobase, the Territory Manager, West Africa, Symantec said; “This year’s Internet Security Threat Report shows that cyber-criminals aren’t slowing down and they continue to devise new ways to steal information from organisations of all sizes.

“The sophistication of attacks coupled with today’s IT complexities, such as mobility and cloud, require organisations to remain proactive and use ‘defence in depth’ security measures to stay ahead of attacks,” Oseme said.

The report revealed that there was a 42 per cent surge during 2012 in targeted attacks compared to the previous year, and that the manufacturing sector as well as small businesses made up 31 percent (a threefold increase from 2011) of targeted attacks.

Speaking on security attacks by cyber-criminals on small businesses, Oseme said, “Attackers home in on small businesses that may often lack adequate security practices and infrastructure.”


The report also showed that Web-based attacks increased by 30 per cent in 2012, many of which originated from the compromised websites of small businesses.

Further report cautioned that social media websites already combine elements of an operating system, a communications platform, and an advertising network. With the use of mobile and add payment mechanisms, they will attract even more attention from online criminals with malware, phishing, spam, and scams.

The United States and United Kingdom are ranked at the top of the profile with very high security threats.

Policewoman: I'm sure that the people who perpetrate this same crime in the U.K and U.S are mostly Nigerians.

aminho: They are mostly nairalanders

Policewoman: I'm sure that the people who perpetrate this same crime in the U.K and U.S are mostly Nigerians.

“The sophistication of attacks coupled with today’s IT complexities, such as mobility and cloud, require organisations to remain proactive and use ‘defence in depth’ security measures to stay ahead of attacks,”

Policewoman: I'm sure that the people who perpetrate this same crime in the U.K and U.S are mostly Nigerians.

50calibre: Is there any evil Nigeria isn't involved in? Every evil list, you would always find Nigeria there.

Cold blooded: We are the African Giant, we need that first position. Soon, we will over-throw the oyibos in ICT. Atleast all the things our Governments are not supporting tend to perform well with the people's efforts

It is better to be good in something bad than to be neutral

XFive: I am very happy at least we dey first 10

ShyM-X:


@ bolded - laughable.

You've a veryyyyyyy long way to go.

You still need to catch up with the likes of Romania, Vietnam, Philippines Kenya, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Namibia etc et al.