Canada Ranked Third Globally for Malware Infections — Experts Reveal Top File Types and Brands Hackers Exploit

Canada has emerged as the third most malware-infected country in the world, according to new research by cybersecurity firm NordVPN. The findings paint a concerning picture of how cybercriminals are weaponizing trusted brands and common file types to carry out large-scale phishing and malware campaigns.

The study, which analyzed global cyberattacks between January 2024 and July 2025, found that Canada recorded 1.01 billion malware incidents, trailing only behind the United States (2.9 billion) and the United Kingdom (1.1 billion). In the second quarter of 2025 alone, covering April to June, Canada was ranked second most targeted globally, behind only the U.S.

NordVPN’s researchers noted that malware infections are primarily spread through phishing campaigns that use infected file attachments and spoofed websites. Hackers mimic well-known brands to trick users into downloading malicious files or clicking on fraudulent links.

“Brands themselves are not at fault — these scams hurt their reputation as well,” researchers said, urging Canadians to exercise caution when opening suspicious files or emails.

Top 10 File Types Used to Hide Malware

Users should be especially cautious when downloading or opening files with the following extensions, which are most commonly used to carry malware:

1. .exe
2. .zip
3. .dll
4. .rar
5. .apk
6. .pdf
7. .php
8. .html
9. .eml
10. .js

Top Brands Spoofed in Phishing Scams

Up to 99% of phishing campaigns worldwide spoof just 300 major brands. Below are the top 10 most impersonated brands, along with the number of fake URLs researchers detected:

1. Google — 32,420 spoof URLs
2. Yahoo — 17,302
3. Telegram — 3,753
4. Steam — 3,745
5. Outlook — 3,593
6. Amazon — 2,257
7. Microsoft — 2,244
8. Facebook — 1,275
9. WhatsApp — 1,128
10. Roblox — 1,112

These fake sites often use subtle changes in domain names—such as replacing “m” with “rn” or swapping letters for numbers—to trick users into letting their guard down.

Most Common Malware: The APC Virus

The most frequently detected malware in Canada during the study period was the APC virus, a sophisticated strain capable of bypassing standard security protections. It can steal sensitive information, damage devices and networks, and give hackers complete remote control.

Expert Tips to Stay Protected

Cybersecurity experts urge Canadians to take practical steps to protect themselves:

• Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails or messages. Instead, type the address manually or use bookmarked official pages.
• Check the core domain carefully — for example, “google.com” vs. “goog1e.co.” Small changes can indicate phishing.
• Keep your software and browsers updated to patch vulnerabilities.
• Scrutinize app downloads: Read reviews carefully, watch for fakes, and avoid downloading “free” apps from unofficial sites.

“You’d probably pay for that with your privacy or with whatever they can get from you through fraud,” warned Estyn Edwards, CTO of Canadian app development company Punchcard Systems.

Canada’s growing exposure to global cyber threats underscores the importance of digital hygiene and vigilance. With hackers increasingly using familiar tools and trusted names to disguise their attacks, experts say the first line of defence is user awareness.