India emerges as global hotspot for mobile malware as IoT threats intensify: Zscaler ThreatLabz 2025 report

Zscaler has released the India findings from its ThreatLabz 2025 Mobile, IoT, and OT Threat Report, highlighting a sharp escalation in mobile malware activity and growing risks across IoT and operational technology (OT) environments. The report positions India as the world’s most targeted country for mobile malware, accounting for over a quarter of all observed attacks globally.

Based on Zscaler’s mobile telemetry dataset, the ThreatLabz research team identified hundreds of malicious applications hosted on trusted app marketplaces, along with a significant rise in malware targeting enterprise mobile, IoT, and OT environments. The findings reflect how attackers are adapting tactics to exploit mobile-first work patterns, digital payments, and expanding IoT footprints.

Malicious apps on trusted platforms see massive adoption

The report identified 239 malicious applications on the Google Play Store, collectively downloaded 42 million times, largely masquerading as productivity and workflow tools. According to Zscaler, this represents a 67 ...