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Growing fragmentation makes it difficult to assess the real scale of cyber threats.
Ransomware groups are becoming increasingly fragmented due to recent law enforcement actions, according to Europol's latest report on Organized Crime on the Internet (IOCTA).
The 10th edition of the report examines key developments, changes and threats in the field of cybercrime over the past year. The 2024 issue addresses important issues such as cyber attacks, online fraud, and child exploitation, and predicts future challenges related to new technologies, cryptocurrencies, and illegal content on the web.
The study highlights that the interference of law enforcement agencies in the work of cybercrime associations has led to massive rebranding and fragmentation into smaller subgroups. Frequent closures of forums and markets on the darknet have also increased the fragmentation of cyber threats.
As a result, millions of people across the European Union face daily risks, including attacks on small and medium-sized businesses, digital scans targeting online stores and banks, and various forms of phishing and fraud. Moreover, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of sexual extortion on the Internet aimed at vulnerable minors.
IOCTA 2024 also points to a rise in multi-level ransomware tactics, where stolen data is threatened to be published or auctioned off, potentially leading to re-victimization. The report notes that the average age of cybercriminals is gradually decreasing, reaching more and more young people, and artificial intelligence tools are being used in malicious activities more and more often.
The report also examines the growing use of cryptocurrencies in various cybercrimes, as well as the complexities associated with major end-to-end encryption (E2EE) communication platforms.
"To quickly and effectively address the major threats highlighted in IOCTA 2024, law enforcement agencies need appropriate knowledge, tools, and legislation. As criminals adapt, law enforcement agencies and legislators must also innovate to stay ahead of them and take advantage of emerging technologies," Europol wrote.
Source
Ransomware groups are becoming increasingly fragmented due to recent law enforcement actions, according to Europol's latest report on Organized Crime on the Internet (IOCTA).
The 10th edition of the report examines key developments, changes and threats in the field of cybercrime over the past year. The 2024 issue addresses important issues such as cyber attacks, online fraud, and child exploitation, and predicts future challenges related to new technologies, cryptocurrencies, and illegal content on the web.
The study highlights that the interference of law enforcement agencies in the work of cybercrime associations has led to massive rebranding and fragmentation into smaller subgroups. Frequent closures of forums and markets on the darknet have also increased the fragmentation of cyber threats.
As a result, millions of people across the European Union face daily risks, including attacks on small and medium-sized businesses, digital scans targeting online stores and banks, and various forms of phishing and fraud. Moreover, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of sexual extortion on the Internet aimed at vulnerable minors.
IOCTA 2024 also points to a rise in multi-level ransomware tactics, where stolen data is threatened to be published or auctioned off, potentially leading to re-victimization. The report notes that the average age of cybercriminals is gradually decreasing, reaching more and more young people, and artificial intelligence tools are being used in malicious activities more and more often.
The report also examines the growing use of cryptocurrencies in various cybercrimes, as well as the complexities associated with major end-to-end encryption (E2EE) communication platforms.
"To quickly and effectively address the major threats highlighted in IOCTA 2024, law enforcement agencies need appropriate knowledge, tools, and legislation. As criminals adapt, law enforcement agencies and legislators must also innovate to stay ahead of them and take advantage of emerging technologies," Europol wrote.
Source
