AI-Powered Cybercrime Targets Emerging Digital Economies, With Indonesia Ranked Most Attractive to Attackers

A new global cybersecurity analysis suggests that the rapid spread of digital infrastructure combined with uneven security investments is creating fertile ground for AI-driven cybercrime. According to a March 2026 study from Check Point evaluating cybersecurity readiness across 38 countries, Indonesia currently ranks as the most attractive target for cybercriminals using artificial intelligence.

The report examined nations using three primary factors: national cybersecurity readiness, digital development, and overall exposure to cyber threats. By combining these metrics, researchers developed an “AI cybercriminal attractiveness score” that reflects how appealing a country may be to attackers deploying automated malware, botnets, ransomware, and information-stealing tools.

Indonesia placed first on the list with a score of 95 out of 100, driven largely by the scale of its digital ecosystem and the high level of exposure to malicious activity. Researchers estimate that roughly 49 percent of digital systems in the country face some form of hacking risk. Botnet infections represent the most common threat, accounting for about one in five cyber incidents nationwide.

Mexico ranked second with a score of 90. The study found that about 29 percent of its digital infrastructure may be vulnerable to attack, with hardware-level malware infections emerging as the dominant method used by threat actors. Researchers also identified ransomware risks affecting roughly 8 percent of digital environments in the country.

Kuwait followed in third place with a score of 85. While the country has comparable digital development metrics to Mexico, analysts estimate that nearly 20 percent of its online systems could be compromised. Infected hardware and banking trojans were identified as the most prevalent attack methods targeting organizations and consumers.

Venezuela ranked fourth on the list, driven largely by weaker digital infrastructure development combined with limited cybersecurity defenses. Despite a smaller digital footprint, researchers estimate that close to 20 percent of systems remain exposed to attack vectors such as malware infections and financial trojans.

Guatemala completed the top five. The country recorded the lowest national cybersecurity index among the highest risk countries evaluated in the study. Analysts noted that while only about 8 percent of digital systems currently face direct exposure to cyber threats, future digital expansion without stronger defenses could rapidly increase the country’s risk profile.

Across the countries analyzed, botnet activity emerged as the most common cyber threat. Security experts say the growing use of artificial intelligence in criminal operations is accelerating the scale and speed of these attacks.

“Botnets are the main cyberweapon across the most vulnerable countries, and AI has made them almost fully autonomous,” said an AI expert from Check Point. “What once required coordinated teams of skilled hackers now runs on autopilot. AI agents handle reconnaissance, launch infections, and adapt to defences in real time, compressing multi-day operations into minutes. Countries like Indonesia, with wide device networks and a cybersecurity index that hasn't kept pace, aren't just exposed, but they're essentially an open training ground for AI-driven attacks.”

The findings highlight a growing divide between digital adoption and cybersecurity maturity. As more nations accelerate digital transformation, researchers warn that attackers are increasingly using AI to identify and exploit regions where defenses have not kept pace with technological growth.