FEATURE : RANSOMWARE
RANSOMWARE GROUPS HAVE STEPPED UP THEIR GAME , EXPLOITING VULNERABILITIES IN COMMONLY USED CORPORATE SOFTWARE AND SHIFTING THEIR APPROACH FROM DATA ENCRYPTION TO DATA THEFT .
deploying USB drives as vectors for infecting organisations globally .
• Hacktivism has seen a rise , with politically motivated groups launching attacks on selected targets .
• Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) misuse has amplified , with Generative AI tools being used to craft phishing emails , keystroke monitoring malware and basic ransomware code , calling for stronger regulatory measures .
In H1 2023 , 48 ransomware groups have breached over 2,200 victims , with Lockbit3 being the most active , reporting a 20 % increase in victims compared to H1 2022 . The emergence of new groups like Royal and Play is associated with the termination of Hive and Conti Ransomware-as-a-Service ( RaaS ) groups . In terms of geography , 45 % of victims are in the US , with an unexpected rise in Russian entities due to the novel actor ‘ MalasLocker ’, which substitutes ransom demands with charitable donations . The manufacturing and retail sectors have seen the most victims , suggesting a shift in ransomware attack strategy .
“ Criminal activities have continued to rise in the first half of the year , with an 8 % surge in global weekly cyberattacks in the second quarter marking the highest volume in two years . Familiar threats such as ransomware and hacktivism have evolved further , with threat groups modifying their methods and tools to infect and affect organisations worldwide . Even legacy technology such as USB storage devices , which have long been gathering dust in desk drawers , have gained popularity as a malware messenger ,” said Maya Horowitz , VP Research at Check Point Software .
“ Organisations need to build a cyber-resiliency strategy and strengthen their defences by adopting a prevention-first , integrated approach to cybersecurity . Cyberattacks are inevitable but can be largely
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