by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG -SAFEPAY, a relatively new rapidly growing ransomware group, has overtaken other threats to emerge as the most prevalent actor on the top ransomware group list.
This is according to Check Point Software Technologies, a leading artificial intelligence-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider, which has published its Global Threat Index for May 2025.
Africa’s telecommunications, government and financial services sectors are among the most targeted, while the education sector remains the most targeted industry globally.
Seven African countries are among the Top 20 countries most targeted by malware practitioners.
Ethiopia continues to occupy the number 1 spot as the most targeted country.
Others on the continent include Nigeria, which ranks fith most targeted with a Normalised Risk Index of 77,2 percent followed by Zimbabwe (7th) with a Normalised Risk Index of 73,2 percent.
Angola and Mozambique are 10th and 11th respectively, with a Normalised Risk Index of 64,1 percent and 64 percent.
Uganda and Ghana were ranked 13th and 20th respectively with Normalised Risk Indexes of 62 percent and 57,7 percent.
Kenya occupied 21st position with a Normalised Risk Index of 57,7 percent. South Africa ranked 47th moving downwards from 53rd in April.
Lotem Finkelstein, Director of Threat Intelligence at Check Point Software, stated, “May’s Global Threat Index data underscores the growing sophistication of cybercriminal tactics.”
The official said with the rise of groups like SafePay and the persistent threat of FakeUpdates, organisations must adopt proactive, multi-layered security measures.
“As cyber threats become more advanced, it’s crucial to stay ahead of evolving attacks with real-time threat intelligence and robust defenses.”
