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The countries of South Asia and South America are at the epicenter of threats.
In 2023, more than 6,500 ransomware attacks were recorded, affecting a record number of 117 countries around the world. This happened after a slight decline in 2022. During the year, the number of ransomware incidents increased by 73%, reaching 6,670 cases. A particularly noticeable surge in attacks occurred in June and July, when hackers actively exploited a vulnerability in a popular file transfer tool.
This data was collected by the Anti-Ransomware Working Group, created in 2021 by the Institute for Security and Technology. In its 2023 annual report, the group used information from eCrime.ch, a platform that collects messages from data breach sites.
According to the report, ransomware attacked 117 countries, and the number of groups behind the attacks rose to 66. In 2022, the numbers were lower: 105 countries and 58 groupings. The regions of South Asia and South America, where digitalization is underway rapidly, have been hit hardest. The largest number of attacks was recorded in Iran, Pakistan, Brazil and India. In particular, in Brazil, government structures were affected, and in India, hospitals and financial systems were affected.
Leading groups such as LockBit and AlphV carried out the highest number of attacks, despite attempts by law enforcement to stop their activities. The main industries targeted included construction, healthcare, and IT.
While some experts believe that hacker groups may be exaggerating the number of victims on their websites, the data eCrime.ch coincide with other estimates, such as reports from the FBI and blockchain research firm Chainalysis. These reports also indicate that 2023 was a record year for both the number of complaints and the revenue generated by cybercriminals from extortion.
The working group expressed concern that the scale, frequency, and sophistication of attacks continue to grow as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) models improve. "The effectiveness of this criminal model has not changed, and such crimes are becoming more and more profitable. In 2024 and beyond, it is necessary to take additional measures to destroy it", the report says.
It is noted that many of the recommendations made by the Working Group in 2021 have not yet been implemented. Despite progress in the reporting framework and global cooperation, little has been done to prevent ransom payments. Law enforcement agencies continue to urge victims of attacks not to make concessions and not to pay extortionists money.
At the end of April 2023, the Working Group noted that some recommendations require legislative changes, but efforts to increase the preparedness of organizations for attacks and provide financial support to victims remain insufficient.
Source
In 2023, more than 6,500 ransomware attacks were recorded, affecting a record number of 117 countries around the world. This happened after a slight decline in 2022. During the year, the number of ransomware incidents increased by 73%, reaching 6,670 cases. A particularly noticeable surge in attacks occurred in June and July, when hackers actively exploited a vulnerability in a popular file transfer tool.
This data was collected by the Anti-Ransomware Working Group, created in 2021 by the Institute for Security and Technology. In its 2023 annual report, the group used information from eCrime.ch, a platform that collects messages from data breach sites.
According to the report, ransomware attacked 117 countries, and the number of groups behind the attacks rose to 66. In 2022, the numbers were lower: 105 countries and 58 groupings. The regions of South Asia and South America, where digitalization is underway rapidly, have been hit hardest. The largest number of attacks was recorded in Iran, Pakistan, Brazil and India. In particular, in Brazil, government structures were affected, and in India, hospitals and financial systems were affected.
Leading groups such as LockBit and AlphV carried out the highest number of attacks, despite attempts by law enforcement to stop their activities. The main industries targeted included construction, healthcare, and IT.
While some experts believe that hacker groups may be exaggerating the number of victims on their websites, the data eCrime.ch coincide with other estimates, such as reports from the FBI and blockchain research firm Chainalysis. These reports also indicate that 2023 was a record year for both the number of complaints and the revenue generated by cybercriminals from extortion.
The working group expressed concern that the scale, frequency, and sophistication of attacks continue to grow as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) models improve. "The effectiveness of this criminal model has not changed, and such crimes are becoming more and more profitable. In 2024 and beyond, it is necessary to take additional measures to destroy it", the report says.
It is noted that many of the recommendations made by the Working Group in 2021 have not yet been implemented. Despite progress in the reporting framework and global cooperation, little has been done to prevent ransom payments. Law enforcement agencies continue to urge victims of attacks not to make concessions and not to pay extortionists money.
At the end of April 2023, the Working Group noted that some recommendations require legislative changes, but efforts to increase the preparedness of organizations for attacks and provide financial support to victims remain insufficient.
Source
