Gen Digital, a global leader in cybersecurityCybersecurity solutions are essential in today’s digital era. and owner of brands such as Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender, and CCleaner, has published its Threat Report Q4 2024, revealing a record number of threats blocked in the last quarter of the year.
Between October and December 2024, 2.55 billion cyber threats were blocked, which amounts to 321 attacks neutralized per second. This increase is mainly due to sophisticated scams on social media, the malicious use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the psychological manipulation of users.
Spain is among the countries at highest risk of being victims of mobile banking trojans and FakeCaptcha scams, establishing itself as a key target for cybercriminals.
The Rise of Social Media Scams
Social media has become a key tool for cybercriminals due to the ease with which they can deceive users using malicious ads, fake accounts, and advanced phishing tactics.
The report highlights that Facebook is the platform with the highest number of attacks, accounting for 56% of threats detected on social media. It is followed by YouTube (24%), X (Twitter) (10%), and Instagram and Reddit (3% each).
Among the most used methods to deceive users, the following stand out:
- Misleading Advertising (Malvertising) – 27%
- Propagation of malicious software through fake ads.
- Fraudulent Online Stores – 23%
- Creation of fake e-commerce platforms to steal personal and financial data.
- Phishing – 18%
- Identity theft to steal banking credentials and passwords.
In the realm of messaging platforms, although WhatsApp has a larger user base, Telegram presents six times more threats, due to its privacy features that make it harder to track criminals.
Spain, Targeted by Banking Trojans
Financial attacks have reached their highest point in the last quarter of 2024, with mobile phones as the primary target.
Among the most significant threats are:
- Mobile Banking Trojans:
- DroidBot: Uses remote access to steal banking credentials and cryptocurrency wallets.
- ToxicPanda: Disguises itself as Visa applications, Chrome, and dating apps.
- BankBot: Increased its infections by 236% compared to the previous quarter. Spain is one of the most affected countries by this trend, with an 83% increase in the risk index for banking trojan infections.
- Cryptocurrency Scams via Deepfake:
- The CryptoCore group used fake videos of Elon Musk to lure investors and steal over $7 million.
- Spyware and SpyLoans:
- Fake applications promising quick loans, but steal personal data and extort victims.
In this area, Spain experienced a 137% increase in the risk rate, despite being one of the countries with the most protected users.
The Theft of Personal Data Continues to Rise
The theft of personal information remains a serious threat to users, with a 130% increase in targeted attacks.
Spain ranks in the Top 10 countries at highest risk of facing FakeCaptcha, an attack that deceives users into executing malicious code, facilitating financial fraud and account theft.
To counter this trend, Gen Digital has implemented new security measures, such as clipboard protection in Norton, Avast, and AVG, blocking threats before they can execute.
Ransomware has also increased significantly, with a 50% rise in attacks in the fourth quarter, establishing itself as one of the greatest threats to businesses and users.
Conclusion: A Less Secure Digital Landscape in 2025
The Gen Digital report highlights how artificial intelligence, social media, and social engineering are driving the growth of cyber threats globally. Spain, in particular, faces increasing risks from banking trojans, social media scams, and personal data theft.
To read the full report, visit:
Gen Digital Threat Report Q4 2024
About Gen Digital
Gen™ is a global company dedicated to cybersecurity, digital privacy, and identity protection, with renowned brands such as Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender, and CCleaner. With over 500 million users in 150 countries, Gen protects individuals’ digital lives from emerging threats.