Nigeria Ranked As Africa’s Second Most Cyber-secure Country After Senegal

Nigeria has been recognized as the second most cyber-secure country in Africa, following Senegal. According to a report by the India-based cybersecurity research firm, Indusface, Nigeria achieved this ranking by successfully halting the Gamarue botnet, a highly dangerous malware that posed a significant threat to corporate data and devices.

The ranking of cybersecurity was determined based on metrics such as DDOS attacks, phishing, and malware-hosting sites. Nigeria secured the second position with an overall index score of 74.69 out of 100, while Senegal claimed the top spot as the most secure country on the continent with a score of 78.09.

The research highlighted Nigeria’s low number of compromised systems per 100,000 internet users compared to other evaluated African nations. This recognition acknowledges Nigeria’s successful efforts in countering malware like the Gamarue botnet, which is notorious for stealing information and engaging in activities like click fraud.

The report identified Honduras, South Korea, and Japan as the top three cyber-secure nations globally.

Venky Sundar, the Founder and President of Indusface, stressed the importance of addressing security issues associated with remote work in the dynamic business environment. He provided individuals and organizations with six key pointers to enhance their cybersecurity in virtual office settings. These include understanding the nations least likely to be targeted by cybercriminals, being familiar with data security laws like the GDPR, assessing law enforcement resources, exploring government grants for cybersecurity, and analysing cybersecurity knowledge across different age groups.

The study conducted by the South San Francisco-based firm further revealed that 68% of high-growth global companies are adopting hybrid work models due to cost reduction, flexibility, and access to a broader talent market. The adoption of these models by global companies aims to mitigate the persistent threats to data privacy and network security outside traditional office spaces.

Gamarue, also known as Andromeda, is a malware that enables hackers to gain control over individuals’ computers. This malware not only takes control of computers but also steals information and has the capability to bypass security settings. A botnet refers to a network of infected computers that can communicate with command-and-control servers.

Typically, this malicious software is distributed through freeware or fraudulent websites that prompt users to download and install a fake browser update, a new version of Adobe Flash Player, or a Java update. Once activated, Andromeda is set to launch every time Windows boots, allowing it to carry out its malicious activities.