Jun 3, 01:05 PM

Germany Reports 330,000 Cyberattacks in 2024 Causing €178.6 Billion Damage, Ransomware Hits Nearly 1,000 Firms, Officials Warn

Germany experienced a record wave of cyberattacks in 2024, with over 330,000 incidents reported. The majority of these attacks were linked to pro-Russian and anti-Israeli hackers, identified as the country's biggest cybercrime threats. Nearly 1,000 companies reported ransomware attacks, where data was locked and held for ransom. The German Interior Minister, Thomas Dobrindt, and Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) President Holger Münch highlighted the rising threat level from cyberattacks, noting that cases involving foreign perpetrators reached nearly 202,000. The financial damage from cybercrime in Germany totaled €178.6 billion, an increase of €30 billion from the previous year. The security vulnerability affected users worldwide, including government agencies in at least 29 countries. Experts emphasize that the risk of cyberattacks on companies is unprecedented, influenced by the technological affinity of different industries. Additionally, a cybercrime group tracked by Google's Threat Intelligence Group, UNC6040, has targeted about 20 organizations recently. The USA was reported as the most affected country in the latest week, accounting for 24.5% of cyberattacks globally. German authorities plan to strengthen measures against hackers to address the escalating cybercrime threat.