- NCSC’s Share and Defend service blocked one billion visits to malicious websites in less than a year.
- The tool adds threat intelligence and DNS protection data, allowing ISPs to block malicious domains in real time.
- Ransomware attacks in the UK have doubled since last year; Cyber insurance claims have increased by 230%, prompting a new national cyber insurance action plan.
In just under 12 months, UK internet users have attempted to access malicious websites a billion times. Fortunately, a new NCSC tool called “Share and Defend Service” has prevented all this and effectively saved people from compromised accounts, data theft and money loss.
This is according to a new report published earlier this week by the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) and BT. First announced last May, Share and Defend works by gathering data from threat intelligence providers, NCSC Protective DNS (PDNS), takedown services and other sources.
Information about malicious domains and malicious landing pages is then shared in real time with ISPs, managed service providers and other communications companies, who can block access to them.
The first business plan will be released soon.
Otherwise, those billions of clicks would end up on fake e-commerce stores, fake login pages and other malicious links.
“This shows that we are making the UK a difficult target for cybercriminals, who protect businesses and citizens every day,” said Dan Jarvis, Secretary of State for Security.
Since most email security services today filter out malicious attachments, cybercriminals have generally resorted to sharing URLs that are easier to hide. These URLs can range from fake login pages that forward credentials to attackers to fake download pages that offer data thieves and ransomware instead of legitimate software.
According to Cybernews, more than 200 ransomware attacks of “national significance” occurred in the UK between August 2024 and 2025, a more than double increase compared to the previous year (89 incidents). The names most affected are Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover. The same source also claims that cyber insurance claims are up 230% year-on-year, suggesting that companies are increasingly paying out after an attack.
The UK will reportedly unveil a “business-focused” national cyber security action plan in just weeks.
IN cyber news