Nigeria Hit by Over 2,700 Cyberattacks in Q1 2024, Ranking Among West Africa’s Most Targeted Countries

In the first half of 2024, Nigeria experienced a significant surge in cyberattacks, with over 2,700 incidents recorded, according to NETSCOUT’s DDoS Threat Intelligence report. This places Nigeria third in the list of West African countries most frequently targeted by cybercriminals, signaling an increasing vulnerability of its digital infrastructure.

The most common type of attack was Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), where hackers overwhelm a target system with excessive traffic, rendering websites, networks, or servers inaccessible and causing major disruptions.The report reveals that Nigeria’s computer services sector was the most targeted, but the scope of cyber threats reached beyond traditional industries.

Unexpectedly, even smaller businesses, such as beauty salons, were affected, experiencing 206 attacks. Data processing and hosting companies also faced 116 incidents, highlighting that cybercriminals are expanding their focus to less obvious targets.As the largest digital economy in Africa, Nigeria has become a prime target for cybercriminals. These attackers are no longer solely focusing on high-profile sectors but are increasingly looking to exploit emerging industries and smaller businesses.

Bryan Hamman, NETSCOUT’s Regional Director for Africa, pointed out the growing sophistication of these attacks. In some cases, attackers used up to 23 different attack methods in a single incident, including techniques like TCP and DNS amplification. This illustrates the rising complexity of global cyber threats, stressing the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures.The report also underscores a broader trend across West Africa, where telecommunications sectors, especially wireless providers, are facing a rise in cyberattacks. Other countries in the region, such as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, have experienced similar increases, signaling a need for heightened regional awareness and stronger cybersecurity strategies.