A staggering 22.9 billion online accounts have been compromised since 2004, with approximately 8.3 billion linked to unique email addresses, according to a report by Surfshark, a private network firm. This translates to a single email address being compromised around three times on average. The alarming trend underscores the escalating scale of cyberattacks and the increasing vulnerability of online accounts.

In 2024 alone, over five billion accounts were compromised, a sharp rise from 730 million in 2023, with nearly 180 breaches per second. The report revealed that 790 million of the affected accounts were Russian, 310 million American, 160 million Chinese, 110 million German, and 100 million French. The global landscape is plagued by cyberattacks, with Africa being no exception.

In Africa, South Sudan ranks highest for online account breaches, with 92.8 million violations over the past 20 years, placing 24th globally. South Africa follows in second with 42.2 million breaches and ranks 38th globally. Other affected countries include Egypt (25.9 million), ranked 49th; Nigeria (23.1 million), ranked 54th; Morocco (18.7 million), ranked 60th; and Algeria (11.6 million), ranked 67th.

The report attributes the high number of breaches to the common practice of using the same email for different accounts when registering online. This means that a single email or account can be breached several times in separate cases, resulting in inflated numbers. The report noted that globally, "for every 100 people, 104 unique email addresses are compromised," and "on average, 285 accounts are affected per 100 people."

The consequences of email security breaches can be severe and far-reaching, including data theft and loss, financial loss, reputational damage, and legal and regulatory issues. As cyberattacks continue to escalate, it is essential for individuals and organizations to prioritize email security and adopt robust measures to protect their online accounts.

The table below shows the African countries with the highest recorded online breaches during the period:

The report serves as a wake-up call for individuals, organizations, and governments to prioritize cybersecurity and take proactive measures to protect online accounts. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to stay vigilant and adapt to the emerging threats in the cyberworld.