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Global Energy Consumption In 2024 Surpasses All Previous Decade

Global energy consumption soared in 2024, surpassing the entire previous decade, driven by a surge in electricity demand and declining oil use, as reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Key Insights

  • Energy demand increased by 2.2% in 2024, nearly double the average rise between 2013 and 2023.
  • Oil demand fell below 30% for the first time in 50 years, marking a significant shift.
  • Electricity usage climbed over 4%, equating to more than Japan’s annual consumption—an all-time high outside recession recovery years.
  • The electricity boom is attributed to increased usage of cooling systems due to record temperatures, growing industrial needs, data centers, AI, and transport electrification.

Impactful Trends

IEA Chief Fatih Birol noted the rapid growth in electricity use has reversed the trend of declining energy consumption in developed economies.

Emerging Stories

One in five cars sold globally is electric, with a projected sales increase of over 25% in 2024.

Renewables and nuclear powered 80% of the additional electricity use in 2024, now making up 40% of global electricity production for the first time.

Gas consumption also rose significantly—by 115 billion cubic meters, a 2.7% increase over the previous decade’s average.

Economic Contributions

Emerging and developing economies accounted for 80% of the global energy consumption rise, despite a slowdown in China’s growth.

In developed nations, consumption grew by 1% following years of decline, highlighting revitalized demand.

Infostealer Campaigns Surge Amid Global Credential Breaches

Overview Of A Growing Cyber Threat

Recent investigations have revealed that cybercriminals are intensifying their efforts to steal sensitive information through sophisticated infostealer malware. Aggregating credentials from 30 distinct datasets, experts estimate that approximately 16 billion login credentials – from platforms including Apple, Google, and Facebook – have been exposed. This alarming finding underscores a shifting landscape in digital security.

Advanced Evasion And The New Face Of Cybercrime

Volodymyr Diachenko, co-founder of SecurityDiscovery, reports that these coordinated leaks are the product of infostealers, malware designed to bypass traditional, signature-based security measures. While these datasets may contain duplicates or outdated records, their sheer volume evidences how pervasive sensitive data has become on the internet. The phenomenon has earned infostealers the moniker of a modern “cyber plague.”

The Economics Of Cybercrime

Simon Green, president of Asia-Pacific and Japan at Palo Alto Networks, notes that modern infostealers employ advanced evasion techniques, making them uniquely challenging to detect. Furthermore, the rise of cybercrime-as-a-service models has democratized access to these malicious tools. Underground marketplaces facilitate the trade of stolen credentials and malware kits, effectively lowering the barriers for operators to launch expansive and coordinated attacks.

Corporate And Individual Defense Strategies

Given the increasing prevalence of malware, security experts advise both individuals and corporations to adopt proactive measures. From regular password updates and the implementation of multi-factor authentication for individuals, to the deployment of a “zero trust” architecture by enterprises, enhancing digital defenses is paramount. Recent international efforts, such as Europol’s collaboration with Microsoft to disrupt the ‘Lumma’ infostealer network, illustrate the critical need for coordinated global responses to these threats.

Conclusion

The surge in infostealer activity is a clear indicator of evolving cybersecurity challenges. As billions of credentials continue to circulate the web, both public and private sectors must intensify their cybersecurity measures to counter these sophisticated threats effectively.

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