Ransomware remains one of the biggest cybersecurity nightmares. It acts as digital extortion: an attacker encrypts your files and demands payment to unlock them. But the impact doesn’t stop there. For companies and large organizations, these attacks often lead to customer data leaks, massive financial losses, legal penalties, and serious damage to your brand reputation.
A Changing Landscape
The latest Ransomware Threat Intelligence Report by Check Point reveals a major shift: ransomware hasn't disappeared—it’s mutating. While some groups have been dismantled, the ecosystem is still very much alive and fragmented.
As Eusebio Nieva, Technical Director of Check Point for Spain and Portugal, explains:
“Ransomware isn’t going away—it’s just changing shape. The professionalization of cybercrime, the use of artificial intelligence, and the growing fragmentation of the threat landscape demand smart technologies, early detection, and tailored incident response plans.”
The takeaway: the threat is evolving faster than expected, and you can’t afford to lower your guard.
The Ransomware Security Report Q2 2025 / Check Point Software (Source: Computer Hoy)
From Encryption to Data Theft and Extortion
In the past, cybercriminals focused solely on encrypting your data and demanding a ransom. Now, their methods include data theft, public leaks, and direct pressure on executives or boards of directors.
Why the shift?
Global collaboration and legal bans on ransom payments in some countries have pushed payment rates down to historic lows (around 25–27%). For many attackers, encryption alone is no longer profitable—so they turn to more aggressive forms of extortion.
That said, the numbers are still alarming:
In June 2025, there were 494 confirmed ransomware victims—a 42% increase from the previous year.
Learn more: How to detect Medusa Ransomware with Wazuh?
Rising Groups and Evolving Tactics
Among the most active groups is Qilin, which has refined new pressure tactics. Another example is the “DragonForce cartel,” which announced on dark web forums that they would stop encrypting data and instead steal and leak it—often sending private messages to executives and publishing past decryption keys for publicity.
Top targeted regions:
- United States (49%)
- Germany, Canada, and the UK (5% each)
- Italy (3%)
- Spain (2%)
Most affected sectors:
- Business services (10.7%)
- Manufacturing (9.8%)
- Construction (9.5%)
- Healthcare (7.8%)
The Ransomware Security Report Q2 2025 / Check Point Software (Source: Computer Hoy)
AI Becomes a Weapon
Artificial Intelligence is now part of the ransomware arsenal. It’s used to:
- Identify the most valuable stolen data
- Improve malware to evade detection by traditional antivirus tools
- Create phishing campaigns with deepfake audio and video—capable of tricking even biometric security systems
As a result, attacks are now more personalized, rapid, and harder to detect.
Other titles of interest: Dark Web Profile of the SafePay Ransomware
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
At TecnetOne, we believe prevention is far more effective than reacting after an incident. Here are critical actions to take now:
- Deploy AI-powered early detection tools
- Strengthen your incident response plan
- Train your team to spot phishing emails and suspicious files
- Ensure your backups are encrypted and offline
- Run ransomware attack simulations to test your response capability
Conclusion
Ransomware is evolving—from simple encryption to data theft, leaks, and direct extortion. Even though some groups have disappeared, the rise of AI and increased fragmentation make it more dangerous than ever.
If you want your company to be prepared, you need an integrated strategy that includes technology, processes, and education. At TecnetOne, we help you anticipate these threats and fortify your business in a constantly changing threat landscape.
