INSPECTING ARCHIVED INTELLIGENCE (OUTDATED VERSION).
Ransomware Extortion Groups Decline Amid Rising Victim Numbers
| 2026-01-29 13:01 RANSOMWARE & EXTORTION DATA BREACH
Executive Summary
AI-generated
Ransomware gangs claimed a deluge of victims during the final quarter of 2025, with an estimated 450 organizations compromised by Qilin ransomware alone. The number of victim organizations which had their data posted on ransomware leak sites increased by 50% compared to the previous quarter and by 40% compared to the same period in the previous year. Despite a decline in active ransomware groups, the most organized operators have increased their output, with Qilin, Akira, and Sinobi being the top-tier ransomware-as-a-service schemes that focus on speed of execution by gaining access to networks quickly to avoid detection. The attack works by releasing stolen data during the intrusion to put additional pressure on the target to pay a ransom, while multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strengthening data exfiltration monitoring tools are recommended to defend against and disrupt these attacks.
Technical Mitigations AI-generated
• Network Intrusion Prevention (ATT&CK mitigation for Phishing): Network intrusion prevention systems and systems designed to scan and remove malicious email attachments or links can be used to block activity.
• Restrict Web-Based Content (ATT&CK mitigation for Phishing): Determine if certain websites or attachment types (ex: .scr, .exe, .pif, .cpl, etc.) that can be used for phishing are necessary for business operations and consider bloc
• Reset credentials and API keys that may have been exposed, and review access logs for the affected accounts or integrations.
Intelligence Metadata
Actors / Malware / CVEs / Campaigns
Target & Sectors
Incident Timeline
Tactical Metrics
Intelligence Sources
Infosecurity-Magazine
2026-01-29
Ransomware Victim Numbers Rise, Despite Drop in Active Extortion Groups
Infosecurity-Magazine