How Many Cyber Attacks Happen Every Day?
Cybersecurity threats are at an all-time high, and every second, new cyber attacks are carried out worldwide. With hackers continuously evolving their techniques, businesses and individuals alike are left vulnerable to various forms of cyber attacks. But just how many cyber attacks happen every day? Let’s break down the shocking numbers to see how cybercriminals are taking advantage of our increasingly digital world.
How Many Cyber Attacks per Day
According to recent estimates, there are over 2,200 cyber attacks happening every single day, which breaks down to nearly one cyber attack every 39 seconds. These attacks range from sophisticated, targeted breaches on large organizations to smaller-scale phishing attempts on individuals and small businesses. The reality is that no one is immune.
Source: University of Maryland
Average Cost of a Cyber Attack
The financial damage from cyber attacks is staggering. On average, a single data breach costs companies around $4.88 million in 2024, covering legal fees, data recovery, lost revenue, and reputational damage. Thats a 15% increase over last three years. Ransomware attacks alone can be devastating, with the cost of recovery reaching up to $5 million on average per business.
Total cybercrime costs are expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
Source: IBM, Cyber Security Ventures
How Many Get Hacked Each Year?
According to research done by Comparitech, 88.5 million people get hacked each year. The average victim loss is as high as $8,069 per crime.
Source: Comparitech
Cyber Attacks by Industry
The manufacturing sector is the most targeted by cyber attacks, accounting for 25.7% of all incidents globally, likely due to the rise of connected devices and automation. Finance and insurance follow closely at 18.2%, reflecting the high value of financial data. Other industries like professional services (15.4%), energy (11.1%), and retail (10.7%) are also frequent targets, as hackers exploit vulnerabilities in their digital systems to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations.
Source: Statista
Where Do These Attacks Come From?
Cyber attacks originate from various sources, and attackers often mask their location using virtual private networks (VPNs) or proxy servers.
A newly developed World Cybercrime Index (WCI) shows that most cybercrime threats originate in a few countries.
Top 10 countries where cyber attacks originate:
- Russia
- Ukraine
- United States
- Nigeria
- Romania
- North Korea
- United Kingdom
- Brazil
- India
- Iran
The countries ranked according to their World Cybercrime Index (WCI).
In some cases, cyber attacks are carried out by cybercriminal syndicates, while others are nation-state actors aiming to disrupt critical infrastructure or steal intellectual property.
Source: SciencesPo
Why Are Cyber Attacks Growing?
The rise in cyber attacks can be attributed to a few key factors:
- Remote Work: The COVID-19 pandemic permanently changed the landscape of the workplace, with remote work becoming more widespread. However, remote setups often lack the stringent security infrastructure of traditional offices, making them a prime target for hackers.
- Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): Cybercriminals are increasingly adopting the RaaS model, where they “rent out” ransomware tools to less experienced attackers. This has democratized cybercrime, leading to a significant rise in ransomware incidents.
- Increased Use of IoT Devices: As Internet of Things (IoT) devices increase, so do vulnerabilities. These devices often have minimal security protections, providing easy entry points for cybercriminals.
Conclusion
The number of cyber attacks happening each day is a scary reminder of how urgent cybersecurity is for businesses and individuals alike. With one attack occurring every 39 seconds and the financial cost skyrocketing into the trillions, now is the time to invest in robust cybersecurity strategies. By staying informed, educating employees, and leveraging advanced security tools, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to the next cyber attack.
