The 3 Scariest Threats from ESET's 2025 Report (And What You Can Actually Do About Them)

Look, I read a lot of security reports (it's kind of my thing), but the latest ESET threat report actually made me sit up and take notice. And not in a good way. We're seeing some seriously clever new attacks that are fooling even tech-savvy people.

Here's what's keeping security folks up at night - and more importantly, what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

1. ClickFix: The Social Engineering Attack That's Fooling Everyone

Remember those obvious phishing emails with terrible grammar? Yeah, those days are gone. The new ClickFix attacks are scary good at impersonating legitimate services. They're basically the deepfakes of the phishing world.

Here's what makes ClickFix different: Instead of trying to steal your password directly, they trick you into authorizing a legitimate-looking app that then takes over your account. Think of it like a con artist who doesn't steal your house keys, but instead convinces you to willingly hand them over.

I've seen way too many smart people fall for this one. The thing is, even if you're using NordPass or another solid password manager (which you absolutely should be), these attacks can still work because they're exploiting trust, not passwords.

2. Android Adware Is Getting Seriously Nasty

Remember when adware was just annoying? Now it's dangerous. The latest Android adware variants are basically acting like mini surveillance systems on your phone.

I'm seeing more people in my IT department getting hit with this one. These apps look legitimate, but they're actually evil twins that steal your data while showing you ads. And they're really good at hiding - some can even detect when you're trying to remove them.

This is why I've been pushing everyone I know to use Surfshark's antivirus on their phones. It's not perfect, but it catches a lot of this stuff before it can get installed.

3. Ransomware Groups Are Getting Scarier (But in a Different Way)

Here's the weird thing: overall ransomware payments are actually down. But that's not the good news you might think it is. These groups are getting smarter - they're targeting smaller companies with lower ransoms that are more likely to get paid.

Think of it like this: instead of trying to rob one bank for a million dollars, they're hitting a hundred small businesses for $10,000 each. And they're getting really good at finding ways in.

I've started using NordVPN on all my devices because it helps block some of the common ways these groups get in. But the real MVP in my security setup is probably my webcam cover - simple but effective against sneaky surveillance tactics.

So What Should You Actually Do?

Look, I know security can feel overwhelming, but here's what I tell my family to focus on:

• Use a password manager. Seriously. I got my whole family on NordPass and it's been a game-changer.

• Get a decent VPN and actually use it (I use NordVPN because it's simple enough for my parents to figure out)

• Install reliable antivirus on your phone (Surfshark's been solid for me)

• Use physical security tools like webcam covers (they're cheap and actually work)

And here's something most people don't think about: grab a secure document bag for your important papers. Yeah, we worry about digital security, but sometimes the old-school stuff is just as important.

The threat landscape is definitely getting scarier, but here's the thing - you don't have to be a security expert to stay safe. You just need to take some basic precautions and use the right tools.

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