Business
Banking data theft attacks on smartphones triple in 2024, Kaspersky reports
The number of Trojan banker attacks on smartphones surged by 196% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to a Kaspersky report “The mobile malware threat landscape in 2024” released at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona. Cybercriminals are shifting tactics, relying on mass malware distribution to steal banking credentials. Over the past year, Kaspersky detected more than 33.3 million attacks on smartphone users globally, involving various types of malware and unwanted software.
The number of Trojan banker attacks on Android smartphones increased from 420,000 in 2023 to 1,242,000 in 2024. Trojan banker malware is designed to steal user credentials for online banking, e-payment services and credit card systems.
Cybercriminals trick victims into downloading Trojan bankers by spreading links via SMS or messaging apps, as well as through malicious attachments in messengers, and by directing users to malicious webpages. They can even send messages from a hacked contact’s account, making the fraud appear more trustworthy. To deceive users, attackers often exploit trending news and hype topics to create a sense of urgency and lower victims’ guard.
“Scammers have started to scale down their efforts to create unique malware packages, focusing instead on distributing the same files to as many victims as possible. It is more important than ever to be cyber-literate and educate your loved ones – from children to the elderly – because no one is completely safe from well-crafted scams and psychological tricks designed to steal banking data,” says Anton Kivva, a security expert at Kaspersky.
Although Trojan bankers are the fastest-growing type of malware, they rank fourth overall in terms of the share of attacked users at 6%. The most widespread category remains AdWare, accounting for 57% of attacked users, followed by general Trojans (25%) and RiskTools (12%). The ranking includes malware, adware and unwanted software.
In 2024, cybercriminals launched an average of 2.8 million malware, adware, and unwanted software attacks on mobile devices each month. Over the year, Kaspersky products blocked a total of 33.3 million attacks.
In 2024, Fakemoney, a group of scam apps designed for fake investments and payouts, was the most active threat. Another major concern was modified versions of WhatsApp that contained the Triada-type Trojan – a malware that can download and execute additional malicious or adware modules, for example, to display advertisements or perform other unwanted actions. These unofficial WhatsApp mods ranked third in activity, just behind a general category of cloud-based generic threats.
Learn more about the mobile malware threat landscape in 2024 on Securelist. To protect yourself from mobile threats, Kaspersky shares the following recommendations.
Downloading apps from official stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play is not always risk-free. Kaspersky recently discovered SparkCat, the first screenshot-stealing malware to bypass the App Store’s security. The malware was also found on Google Play, with a total of 20 infected apps across both platforms, proving that these stores are not 100% foolproof. To stay safe, always check app reviews and download numbers when possible, use only links from official websites, and install reliable security software, like Kaspersky Premium, that can detect and block malicious activity if an app turns out to be fraudulent.
Check the permissions of apps that you use and think carefully before permitting an app, especially when it comes to high-risk permissions such as Accessibility Services. For example, the only permission that a flashlight app needs is the flashlight (which doesn’t even involve camera access). A good piece of advice is to update your operating system and important apps as updates become available. Many safety issues can be solved by installing updated versions of software.
ASUS and Republic of Gamers (ROG) Sri Lanka officially launched their latest suite of computing innovations, setting a new benchmark for ultra-portability, AI acceleration, and next-generation gaming experiences in the country.
Unveiled at Shangri La, Colombo on May 7th, the lineup includes five cutting-edge laptops designed to cater to students, professionals, gamers, and creators, marking a transformative leap for Sri Lanka’s tech landscape.
Leading the charge is the ASUS Zenbook A14, the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC at just 980 grams. Featuring a durable Ceraluminum chassis, Snapdragon X processor, and a 45 TOPS NPU for AI tasks, it boasts an ASUS Lumina OLED display, up to 32-hour battery life, Wi-Fi 7, and 1 TB SSD storage. Meanwhile, the gaming-focused ROG Strix SCAR 16/18 and Zephyrus G16 pack Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPUs, paired with 240Hz Mini-LED displays, customizable RGB lighting, and advanced cooling systems for marathon sessions.
“Our mission is to push boundaries in performance and design,” said Eric Ou, ASUS South Asia’s Regional Head, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to innovation. The new devices blend portability with power, offering AI-enhanced workflows and gaming prowess.With multi-day battery life and groundbreaking specs, ASUS aims to redefine how Sri Lankans work, create, and play.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Business
Direct Kitchens opens flagship Colombo showroom blending Australian luxury design with local elegance
Direct Kitchens, Melbourne’s premier designer and manufacturer of high-end custom kitchens, marked a significant milestone with the launch of its first international showroom in Colombo, bringing over 40 years of world-class kitchen design expertise to sophisticated Sri Lankan homeowners. Located at No. 314, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03, the new Experience Centre reflects the brand’s commitment to luxury, craftsmanship, and innovation.
The soft launch of the showroom was attended by select invitees including Nalin Herath, Chairman and Managing Director of Home Lands Group, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, along with industry professionals and well-wishers.
For over three decades, Direct Kitchens has earned a stellar reputation in Australia for creating bespoke, luxurious kitchens that are as functional as they are visually stunning. From sleek modern designs to timeless French provincial and country styles, each kitchen is crafted with precision, using the finest materials and cutting-edge technology. The brand also specializes in a range of custom interior solutions including pantry units, wardrobes, closets, laundry units, and more—tailored to suit the lifestyle and aesthetic of each client. Direct Kitchens Sri Lanka is a subsidiary of Home Lands Group, Sri Lanka’s leading real estate solutions provider.
The Colombo Experience Centre marks the beginning of Direct Kitchens’ global journey in redefining sophisticated living spaces. Visitors to the showroom can explore a curated selection of premium kitchen displays, cabinetry styles, finishes, and fittings—guided by a team of expert designers who offer personalized consultations and complete project management services.
Speaking at the launch, Amaya Herath, Director of Direct Kitchens Sri Lanka, stated, “We are proud to bring the legacy of Direct Kitchens to Sri Lanka and offer homeowners here access to a new standard in luxury interior solutions. Our Experience Centre is more than just a showroom—it’s a space where creativity, lifestyle, and functionality meet. With our decades of expertise and design excellence, we look forward to helping our clients transform their homes into elegant, purposeful spaces.”
Harold Samuel, a British real estate mogul is credited with the phrase- location, location, location, a sentiment that will forever be pertinent and one that is evident when you behold W15 Ambuluwawa, a white clad stunning boutique hotel perched atop an outcrop of land in Gampola, offering 360-degree views of hills wearing jade and crowns of white clouds. It is a magical place that invites guests to leave the ordinary behind and step into the extraordinary and be enveloped with an utter stillness of being and a peace that transcends quiet.
W15 Ambuluwawa is indeed a rare find, a gem that has been recently added to adorn the W15 Collection, a group of luxurious boutique hotels dotted across some of the most beautiful locations in Sri Lanka. The first boutique hotel to be opened within the Ambuluwawa biodiversity project, W15 Ambuluwawa, with one master suite, 4 deluxe and 3 standard rooms, has been designed with responsibility to the surroundings and sustainability at its core. The ingenuity of architectural genius is displayed from every space in this breathtaking property as the exterior beauty is captured through floor to ceiling windows, a spacious patio and a sundeck.
Guests can expect W15’s signature exceptional service with a large staff cadre and a personal butler assigned to each room, an extraordinary al-fresco dining experience where tastebuds will be tantalized while nature paints the skies with vivid hues and birdsong provides a harmony of background music. Evenings are for breathtaking sunsets to be imbued into your restless soul while you sip a sundowner on the patio.
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.
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