Top 20 countries with highest rate of cybercrime, Nigeria not among

Symantec has ranked 20 countries that face, or cause, the most cybercrime. In compiling such a list, Symantec was able to quantify software code that interferes with a computer’s normal functions, rank zombie systems, and observe the number of websites that host phishing sites, which are designed to trick computer users into disclosing personal data or banking account information. Symantec was also able to obtain data including the number of bot-infected systems which are those controlled by cybercriminals, rank countries where cyber attacks initiated and factor in the a higher rate of cybercrime in countries that have more access to broadband connections. The highest rate of cybercrime was found to be in the United States which may mainly contribute to the broad range of available broadband connections, which are those that allow uninterrupted internet connectivity.

All of the contributing factors allowed Symantec to effectively rank a top 20 list of countries that have the most cybercrime.

Cyber Crime is on the Rise: Why the Cyber Criminals Get Away With It

Cyber criminals use phishing, malware, and other hacking techniques to obtain data and/or steal money. If you do not take action, your PC may be vulnerable to cyber attacks. What should you do?

List of Top 20 Countries with the highest rate of Cybercrime

1. United States of America

Share of malicious computer activity: 23%

Malicious code rank: 1

Spam zombies rank: 3

Phishing web site hosts rank: 1

Bot rank: 2

Attack origin rank: 1

2. China

Share of malicious computer activity: 9%

Malicious code rank: 2

Spam zombies rank: 4

Phishing web site hosts rank: 6

Bot rank: 1

Attack origin rank: 2

3. Germany

Share of malicious computer activity: 6%

Malicious code rank: 12

Spam zombies rank: 2

Phishing web site hosts rank: 2

Bot rank: 4

Attack origin rank: 4

4. Britain

Share of malicious computer activity: 5%

Malicious code rank: 4

Spam zombies rank: 10

Phishing web site hosts rank: 5

Bot rank: 9

Attack origin rank: 3

5. Brazil

Share of malicious computer activity: 4%

Malicious code rank: 16

Spam zombies rank: 1

Phishing web site hosts rank: 16

Bot rank: 5

Attack origin rank: 9

6. Spain

Share of malicious computer activity: 4%

Malicious code rank: 10

Spam zombies rank: 8

Phishing web site hosts rank: 13

Bot rank: 3

Attack origin rank: 6

7. Italy

Share of malicious computer activity: 3%

Malicious code rank: 11

Spam zombies rank: 6

Phishing web site hosts rank: 14

Bot rank: 6

Attack origin rank: 8

8. France

Share of malicious computer activity: 3%

Malicious code rank: 8

Spam zombies rank: 14

Phishing web site hosts rank: 9

Bot rank: 10

Attack origin rank: 5

9. Turkey

Share of malicious computer activity: 3%

Malicious code rank: 15

Spam zombies rank: 5

Phishing web site hosts rank: 24

Bot rank: 8

Attack origin rank: 12

10. Poland

Share of malicious computer activity: 3%

Malicious code rank: 23

Spam zombies rank: 9

Phishing web site hosts rank: 8

Bot rank: 7

Attack origin rank: 17

11. India

Share of malicious computer activity: 3%

Malicious code rank: 3

Spam zombies rank: 11

Phishing web site hosts rank: 22

Bot rank: 20

Attack origin rank: 19

12. Russia

Share of malicious computer activity: 2%

Malicious code rank: 18

Spam zombies rank: 7

Phishing web site hosts rank: 7

Bot rank: 17

Attack origin rank: 14

13. Canada

Share of malicious computer activity: 2%

Malicious code rank: 5

Spam zombies rank: 40

Phishing web site hosts rank: 3

Bot rank: 14

Attack origin rank: 10

14. South Korea

Share of malicious computer activity: 2%

Malicious code rank: 21

Spam zombies rank: 19

Phishing web site hosts rank: 4

Bot rank: 15

Attack origin rank: 7

15. Taiwan

Share of malicious computer activity: 2%

Malicious code rank: 11

Spam zombies rank: 21

Phishing web site hosts rank: 12

Bot rank: 11

Attack origin rank: 15

16. Japan

Share of malicious computer activity: 2%

Malicious code rank: 7

Spam zombies rank: 29

Phishing web site hosts rank: 11

Bot rank: 22

Attack origin rank: 11

17. Mexico

Share of malicious computer activity: 2%

Malicious code rank: 6

Spam zombies rank: 18

Phishing web site hosts rank: 31

Bot rank: 21

Attack origin rank: 16

18. Argentina

Share of malicious computer activity: 1%

Malicious code rank: 44

Spam zombies rank: 12

Phishing web site hosts rank: 20

Bot rank: 12

Attack origin rank: 18

19. Australia

Share of malicious computer activity: 1%

Malicious code rank: 14

Spam zombies rank: 37

Phishing web site hosts rank: 17

Bot rank: 27

Attack origin rank: 13

20. Israel

Share of malicious computer activity: 1%

Malicious code rank: 40

Spam zombies rank: 16

Phishing web site hosts rank: 15

Bot rank: 16

Attack origin rank: 22