Cyberattacks cost UK businesses a staggering £ 64 billion
Gen Z’ s favourite games used as bait in over 19 million attempted cyberattacks
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Cyberattacks cost UK businesses a staggering £ 64 billion
C yberattacks cost UK businesses £ 64 billion annually, but many remain underprepared to mitigate the risk of attack, according to new research from cybersecurity provider, ESET.
The findings underscore the urgent need for organisations to implement stronger cybersecurity measures, over half of surveyed businesses( 53 %) report falling victim to at least one attack or breach in the past three years.
The growing threat of attack methods like ransomware, phishing and supply chain attacks continues to impact businesses of all sizes, alongside increased exposure to international threats and the rise of Cybercrime-as-a-Service( CaaS).
The direct costs of cyberattacks account for £ 37.3 billion of this total cost(£ 13.1 billion in GVA terms) or 0.7 % of business turnover:
• Direct costs include ransom payments, stolen / lost funds, legal and regulatory costs, disruption to operations, staff time spent dealing with the attack, costs of third-party expertise, and higher cyber insurance premiums
• The most frequently cited significant direct cost was staff time spent dealing with an attack( 63 %)
Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET, said:“ The rising costs of cyberattacks – both direct and indirect – prove that no business can afford to overlook cybersecurity. With growing public scrutiny on data protection and cybersecurity preparedness, businesses that fail to take proactive measures risk financial losses and long-term damage to trust and credibility. Investing in expert-managed solutions, robust threat detection and staff training can significantly reduce long-term financial and operational risks.”
Gen Z’ s favourite games used as bait in over 19 million attempted cyberattacks
rom April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, Kaspersky detected over 19 million attempts to download malicious or unwanted files
F disguised as popular Gen Z games. With GTA, Minecraft and Call of Duty among the most exploited, it’ s clear that cybercriminals are actively following gaming trends to reach their targets. To help players stay safe, Kaspersky is launching‘ Case 404’ – an interactive cybersecurity game that teaches Gen Z how to recognise threats and protect their digital worlds while doing what they love: playing.
Gen Z plays more than any other generation – and not just more, but differently. They outpace Millennials and Gen X in gaming-related spending and, instead of sticking to a few favourites, Gen Z jumps between numerous titles, chasing viral trends and new experiences. Yet this same spontaneity and openness also make them vulnerable, with cybercriminals exploiting the habits and trust of these players across the platforms. For instance, throughout the reported period, more than 400,000 users worldwide were affected.
As part of the new report, Kaspersky experts conducted an in-depth analysis using 20 of the most popular game titles among Gen Z – from GTA, NBA and FIFA to The Sims and Genshin Impact – as search keywords. The study covered the period from Q2 2024 to Q1 2025, with March 2025 standing out as the peak month, recording 1,842,370 attempted attacks.
Despite GTA V being released over a decade ago, the Grand Theft Auto franchise remains one of the most exploited, thanks to its open-world modding capabilities and thriving online community. In total, Kaspersky detected 4,456,499 attack attempts involving files disguised as GTA franchise-related content. With the highly anticipated release of GTA VI expected in 2026, experts predict a potential spike in such attacks, as cybercriminals may exploit the hype by distributing fake installers, early access offers, or beta invites.
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