Extortion stories

Global ransomware attacks jump 50% to 7,874 in 2025, with industrial firms bearing the brunt as criminal groups reshuffle their tactics.

Global ransomware attacks fell 17% in January, but NCC warns evolving tactics, AI and messaging apps mean risk is not receding.

ShinyHunters shifts to subdomain-brand phishing and vishing on mobiles, bypassing domain checks to hijack SSO logins and SaaS sessions.

AI-fuelled hackers can now spread across corporate networks in as little as four minutes, outpacing human defenders by hours.

WatchGuard reports a 1,548% surge in new evasive malware and a 2,000% jump in encrypted threats, straining signature-based defences.

AI-powered phishing drives a sharp 2025 surge in email and chat attacks, as Acronis warns of a new era of automated cybercrime at scale.

Okta warns North Korean operatives are landing remote tech jobs with stolen and synthetic identities to fund the regime and enable cyber attacks.

AI-driven hacking has pushed weekly cyber attacks up 70% since 2023, with Check Point warning campaigns are faster, broader and harder to stop.

Ransomware gangs shrank in number but hit more victims in late 2025, with leak-site postings soaring despite fewer active groups.

AI is transforming data privacy as mistrust soars and cyber attacks accelerate, pushing firms to verify every identity and machine action.

AI-fuelled automation drove a 70% surge in weekly cyber attacks in 2025, with nearly 2,000 incidents per organisation, Check Point warns.

Ransomware attacks hit record highs in 2025 as Qilin overtakes LockBit, with victim numbers surging 58% and threat groups multiplying.

AI will transform cyber threats by 2026, experts say, but warn over-automation and legacy systems could imperil critical infrastructure.

Ransomware attacks on manufacturing shift from encryption to data theft and extortion, with recovery costs averaging USD $1.3 million, reveals new research.

Global ransomware attacks surged 28% in September, with Industrials hardest hit, as cyber criminals ramp up efforts ahead of the busy holiday season.

Ransomware payouts have surged past USD $1 million in Q2 2025, driven by data exfiltration and social engineering in targeted attacks on mid-sized firms.

Ransomware attacks in Australia surged in 2023–24, costing businesses up to AUD $97,200 on average, urging firms to bolster cyber defences and response plans.

Coinbase says a data breach affected around 1% of users, with cybercriminals demanding a USD $20 million ransom, which was firmly rejected by the firm.

Cybercriminal group Scattered Spider, known for targeting UK retailers, has shifted focus to major US retailers, raising fresh cybersecurity concerns.

Google's GTIG reports 75 zero-day exploits in 2024, highlighting a rising threat to enterprise tech despite a slight overall decrease from 2023.