Australian businesses are now facing more network attacks than malware, according to WatchGuard Technologies’ Q4 2025 Threat Landscape. Between October and December, WatchGuard blocked 96,049 network attacks, compared to 8,510 malware attacks.
In contrast, the wider APAC region saw far more malware than network attacks, highlighting Australia’s disproportionate exposure to network-based threats. This contrasts with broader APAC and global trends, where malware continues to dominate.
The findings point to a broader shift in attacker behaviour, with cybercriminals increasingly focusing on probing and exploiting exposed systems rather than relying solely on traditional malware infections.
The most prevalent malware threats in Australia include Gen:Heur.Mint.Zard.24, Trojan.Linux.Mirai.1, and JS:Trojan.Cryxos.14431. Overall, 92% of all malware detections were known threats, with only 8% being zero-day variants.
Globally, APAC continues to experience a high share of malware (31% of global detections) but a comparatively small share of network attacks (4%), reinforcing Australia’s unique risk profile within the region. This divergence positions Australia as a clear outlier within the region, moving in the opposite direction to broader APAC and global threat trends.
Australia’s elevated exposure is likely linked to its high level of digital connectivity and cloud adoption, which has expanded the number of internet-facing systems that attackers can continuously scan for weaknesses.
Anthony Daniel, Managing Director, WatchGuard Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, commented:
” Our Q4 data points to a clear shift in the cyber threat landscape for Australian businesses. Network-based attacks are now the most common threat we’re seeing, overtaking malware by a significant margin. What we are seeing is not isolated incidents, but constant background pressure on business infrastructure, with attackers repeatedly testing for opportunities to gain access. These attacks are largely targeting business websites and servers, exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access or manipulate files. While malware still poses a risk, these persistent network threats demand constant monitoring and robust defenses.”
For additional insights, including full top ten malware and network attack lists, see theWatchGuard Threat Landscape.
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