Kaspersky Uncovers Cyber Threat Trends for META Region in Q1 of 2026

Kaspersky’s Global Research & Analysis Team has shed light on the key cyber threat trends that defined the first half of 2026 in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region. The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with threats becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated. This is largely due to the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with ongoing geopolitical and economic instability, which has contributed to the rise of cybercrime and the complexity of cyberattacks.

The data from Kaspersky’s telemetry reveals that online threats exploiting vulnerabilities in websites, emails, and web services continued to affect millions of users across the META region. Specifically, Kaspersky detection systems stopped 5.7 million attacks from various online resources in South Africa, 4.5 million in Kenya, and 1.6 million in Nigeria. These numbers highlight the widespread nature of cyber threats in the region.

The countries most affected by web-based threats were Turkiye with a staggering 22.8% share, followed closely by Kenya at 21.2%, Qatar at 19.3%, Nigeria at 18.4%, and South Africa at 17.2%. Conversely, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Pakistan recorded the lowest percentage of users targeted by web-borne attacks in the region.

Kaspersky experts have also noted that threat actors are increasingly integrating AI into different stages of their operations. Large language models are being used to generate phishing emails, malicious code, and supporting operational content. This marks a significant shift in how cybercriminals operate, as they leverage AI to streamline their efforts and accelerate their attacks.

AI is also beginning to play a larger role in malware development. Modern language models can generate substantial portions of malicious software, from initial code scaffolding to functional modules. Researchers have already observed AI-assisted malware development in campaigns linked to the FunkSec group, which deployed Rust-based malware capable of data theft, encryption, and process manipulation.

The use of AI by cybercriminals is expected to continue shaping the threat landscape in 2026. As Sergey Lozhkin, Head of the Global Research and Analysis Team at Kaspersky’s APAC and META regions, noted, ‘AI will remain one of the key factors driving the evolution of threats.’ This has significant implications for defenders, who must be prepared for quicker shifts in tactics.

In addition to AI-driven malware evolution, other trends that organisations should monitor closely include cloud-based data exfiltration. Attackers are increasingly routing stolen data through legitimate cloud and file-sharing services to blend in with normal traffic. Ransomware targeting operations also pose a significant threat, as some groups disrupt production and business processes, not just encrypting data.

Furthermore, Kaspersky experts have identified the growing use of AI agents as persistence mechanisms. Some AI agent solutions are granted broad or even full system access. If compromised, attackers could modify the system prompt or the agent’s configuration, causing it to download a payload on every startup. This creates a new layer of risk where trusted AI tools can be turned into powerful mechanisms for cyberattacks.

As emerging technologies continue to evolve alongside cyber threats, Kaspersky recommends that organisations strengthen their cybersecurity posture through continuous vulnerability management, timely patching, employee awareness training, threat intelligence, and advanced security solutions like data analysis tools. This will enable them to detect sophisticated and AI-assisted attacks more effectively.