Data presented by Atlas VPN has shown an increase in social media attacks on payment services in the second quarter (Q2) of 2021. 

“Social media attacks on the payment service industry had a steep growth of 561.8 per cent in 2021 Q2,” Atlas VPN said in a report, “hospitals and healthcare services, together with enterprises in the broadcast media industry experienced an increase in threats by 187.8 per cent and 112.5 per cent, respectively.”

The report broke down the rate of attacks into different businesses. It noted that attacks on healthcare companies increased by 187.8 per cent as healthcare enterprises also saw a massive jump in attacks. 

It also added that businesses in the broadcast media industry faced an increase of 112.5 per cent.

The cryptocurrency market saw an increase in attacks in Q2 with a 13 per cent rise, and credit unions which recorded a 4.9 per cent increase in attacks. 

Industries that experienced less attacks in the period of review included dating-related service providers which saw a downturn of  -52.3 per cent, computer software companies with  -49.2 per cent,  telecommunications, e-commerce and the banking industries with -23.5, -19.7, and -10.2 per cent respectively.