The number of malware designed to be distributed using USB drives and other external media has almost doubled in 2021. According to experts at Honeywell, the manufacturer of automation and control solutions, 79% of such cyberthreats can be used to disrupt the operational technology (OT) environment.

The report of experts was based on aggregated cybersecurity threat data from hundreds of industrial facilities globally during the last 12-month period. According to experts, there is evidence that removable media has become part of the scenario used to carry out targeted attacks, including ransomware attacks.

Since many industrial systems are disconnected from the network, external devices such as USB drives can provide hackers with an opportunity to penetrate vulnerable networks. For example, the use of USB device in production facilities increased by 30% last year, highlighting the growing dependence on removable media.

According to Honeywell, more than 20 industrial facilities around the world have detected malicious files on USB drives.

51% of malware could allow cybercriminals to remotely access compromised systems in enterprises.

Source: securitylab.ru