Over 5 million cyberattacks hit Pakistan amid digital expansion: Report

New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) Pakistan recorded more than 5 million cyberattacks during the first three quarters of 2025 as the country's rapidly expanding digital economy and growing reliance on online banking, mobile payments and e-commerce outpaced cybersecurity awareness and digital safety practices, according to a report.

A report by Maldives Insight highlighted that with smartphones increasingly serving as banking platforms, payment tools and repositories of personal information, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in digital transactions, mobile banking and e-commerce activity.

However, weak passwords, poor data protection practices and limited awareness of online threats have created significant vulnerabilities for users and institutions alike, it said.

Around 90 per cent of retail transactions in the country were conducted through digital channels during FY25, while mobile banking and e-wallet usage expanded rapidly. It's Raast instant payment system processed hundreds of millions of transactions, reflecting the growing shift towards a cash-light economy.

Many users remain unfamiliar with basic online safety measures such as strong password management, multi-factor authentication and phishing detection, making them easy targets for cybercriminals.

The report noted that cybercriminals increasingly exploit human behaviour through fake calls, fraudulent websites and malicious links rather than relying solely on technical attacks.

More than 166,000 banking malware attacks and over 126,000 spyware incidents were detected during the period.