Extortion stories - Page 2

AI will transform cyber threats by 2026, experts say, but warn over-automation and legacy systems could imperil critical infrastructure.

Ransomware attacks on manufacturing shift from encryption to data theft and extortion, with recovery costs averaging USD $1.3 million, reveals new research.

Global ransomware attacks surged 28% in September, with Industrials hardest hit, as cyber criminals ramp up efforts ahead of the busy holiday season.

Over half of cyberattacks last year were driven by extortion or ransomware, with criminals focusing on financial gain rather than espionage, Microsoft reveals.

Ransomware payouts have surged past USD $1 million in Q2 2025, driven by data exfiltration and social engineering in targeted attacks on mid-sized firms.

Ransomware attacks in Australia surged in 2023–24, costing businesses up to AUD $97,200 on average, urging firms to bolster cyber defences and response plans.

Coinbase says a data breach affected around 1% of users, with cybercriminals demanding a USD $20 million ransom, which was firmly rejected by the firm.

Google's GTIG reports 75 zero-day exploits in 2024, highlighting a rising threat to enterprise tech despite a slight overall decrease from 2023.

Cybercrime surged to USD $16.6 billion in 2024, outpacing major US industries and spotlighting social engineering and older victims as prime targets.

A report by Google highlights a surge in North Korean IT operations, now expanding beyond the US to target firms and governments in Australia and Europe.

BlackFog has launched its groundbreaking anti-data exfiltration solution for macOS, aiming to protect against the rising tides of ransomware and AI-driven cyber threats.

As 2025 approaches, businesses face an evolving cybersecurity landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and sophisticated cybercrime threats, demanding urgent strategies.

Google Cloud Security's latest report reveals a surge in cloud data threats, with actors refining tactics for data exfiltration and identity exploitation.

Gen's cybersecurity predictions for 2025 highlight a surge in identity theft and hyper-personalised scams driven by AI advancements and major breaches.

Akamai Technologies has enhanced its cloud security solutions, improving application performance and visibility for users on AWS and Azure amid rising cyber threats.

Canadian and Turkish authorities have arrested two cybercriminals linked to a global campaign that compromised data from over 100 organisations.

Cert NZ's Cyber Smart Week has returned, aiming to strengthen New Zealand's cyber resilience amid rising online threats, urging Kiwis and SMEs to adopt stronger security.

Halcyon partners with BlackLake Security to boost ransomware resilience, combining anti-ransomware tech and risk mitigation to protect businesses from disruptions.

New research from Barracuda shows larger firms face more lateral phishing threats, while smaller companies are hit harder by external phishing and extortion.

Cybercriminals escalate ransomware tactics, weaponising stolen data to extort victims, Sophos reveals. Threats now include exposing personal and illicit information.