A leading cybersecurity firm, Kaspersky, reported that Egypt witnessed a 14.5% decline in total cyber threats detected and blocked in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The company prevented over 21.4 million threats targeting users and organizations. This decline is notable, but a specific category of threats saw a significant increase.
Kaspersky's report highlighted a 40% rise in attacks exploiting vulnerabilities, making it the only category to show an increase. These attacks involve threat actors exploiting vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to gain unauthorized access to systems or deploy malware. This escalation poses significant risks to organizations increasingly reliant on digital systems and advanced technological infrastructure.
The cybersecurity firm observed a substantial decline in other types of threats. Ransomware attacks decreased by over 42%, while remote desktop protocol (RDP) attacks targeting remote workers fell by more than 41%. Additionally, spyware attacks that monitor user activity covertly dropped by over 32%, and financial and banking malware decreased by more than 31%.
Password theft malware saw a 22% decline, and backdoor tools decreased by 8%. Despite the overall positive trend, Kaspersky emphasized the need for continued investment in security measures, particularly in light of the rise in vulnerability exploitation attacks. The company's recommendations include adopting a proactive approach to vulnerability management and utilizing multi-layered security solutions.
Rashid Al-Momani, General Manager for the Middle East at Kaspersky, noted that while the decline in total threats is a positive indicator, sustained investment in security protection is crucial. He stressed the importance of enhancing security measures to counter the increasing number of vulnerability exploitation attacks.
The increasing reliance on technology and digital transformation underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Organizations are advised to implement comprehensive security strategies that include detecting and preventing advanced threats. This approach will help mitigate the risks associated with the growing number of cyber threats.
As Egypt continues to embrace digitalization, the importance of investing in cybersecurity cannot be overstated. The rise in vulnerability exploitation attacks serves as a reminder of the need for proactive and multi-layered security measures to protect against evolving cyber threats.
Key points
- Egypt saw a 40% rise in cyber attacks exploiting vulnerabilities in H1 2026.
- Overall cyber threats in Egypt declined by 14.5% in H1 2026 compared to the same period last year.
- Kaspersky detected and blocked over 21.4 million cyber threats in Egypt during H1 2026.
