SecurityBrief New Zealand - Technology news for CISOs & cybersecurity decision-makers
New Zealand

Extortion Stories - Page 4

Kiwi Stories

Extortion stories

Extortion and ransomware drive over half of cyberattacks
Malware

Extortion and ransomware drive over half of cyberattacks

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

By Amy Hogan-Burney • 8 min read • Wed, 22nd Oct 2025
The E-waste security crisis
Data Protection

The E-waste security crisis

Old computers and discarded phones are exposing organisations to data theft, with up to a fifth of cyber incursions occurring at disposal time.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Thu, 29th May 2025

Global Stories

Extortion stories

Ransomware tactics shift as manufacturing faces data theft surge
Firewalls

Ransomware tactics shift as manufacturing faces data theft surge

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

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Fri, 5th Dec 2025
Ransomware attacks surge 28% in September as Industrials sector hit hardest
Ransomware

Ransomware attacks surge 28% in September as Industrials sector hit hardest

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

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 30th Oct 2025
Data exfiltration pushes ransomware payouts past USD $1 million
Virtualisation

Data exfiltration pushes ransomware payouts past USD $1 million

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.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Wed, 13th Aug 2025
The Ransomware Threat: How to respond and protect your organisation
Data Protection

The Ransomware Threat: How to respond and protect your organisation

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.

By Jamie Humphrey • 5 min read • Mon, 19th May 2025
Coinbase offers USD $20 million bounty after insider data breach
Data Protection

Coinbase offers USD $20 million bounty after insider data breach

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.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Fri, 16th May 2025
Scattered Spider hackers shift focus from UK to US retailers
Ransomware

Scattered Spider hackers shift focus from UK to US retailers

Cybercriminal group Scattered Spider, known for targeting UK retailers, has shifted focus to major US retailers, raising fresh cybersecurity concerns.

By Jed Nykolle Harme • 3 min read • Fri, 16th May 2025
Zero-day hackers shift focus to enterprise tech in Google's report
Firewalls

Zero-day hackers shift focus to enterprise tech in Google's report

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

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Thu, 1st May 2025
Cybercrime losses soar to USD $16.6 billion in 2024, outpacing US box office
Multi-factor authentication

Cybercrime losses soar to USD $16.6 billion in 2024, outpacing US box office

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

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 24th Apr 2025
Google warns of rising global threat from N Korean IT ops
Ransomware

Google warns of rising global threat from N Korean IT ops

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.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Wed, 2nd Apr 2025

Stories from Other Regions

Extortion stories

Australian organisations face rising threat from top ransomware groups
Cybersecurity

Australian organisations face rising threat from top ransomware groups

Australian organisations face increasing ransomware threats from top groups like Qilin, Akira, Scattered Spider, impacting sectors from healthcare to education and business.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Wed, 12th Nov 2025
Ransomware & state threats surge in Europe, warns CrowdStrike
Ransomware

Ransomware & state threats surge in Europe, warns CrowdStrike

European organisations faced a sharp 2024 rise in ransomware and state-backed cyberattacks, with 22% of global victims, says CrowdStrike's latest report.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Tue, 4th Nov 2025
Australia ranks high in cyberattacks as AI fuels new risks
Malware

Australia ranks high in cyberattacks as AI fuels new risks

Australia ranks tenth globally for cyberattack frequency, with AI fueling a rise in ransomware and extortion, Microsoft reports in its 2025 Digital Defence Review.

By Melania Watson • 5 min read • Fri, 17th Oct 2025
Teens charged in SCATTERED SPIDER cyber attacks as experts warn of ongoing risks
Ransomware

Teens charged in SCATTERED SPIDER cyber attacks as experts warn of ongoing risks

Two UK teenagers linked to SCATTERED SPIDER have been charged for cyberattacks disrupting Transport for London, amid ongoing global cyber threats.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 24th Sep 2025
Ransomware attacks in Australia soar by 110%, says Zscaler report
Digital Transformation

Ransomware attacks in Australia soar by 110%, says Zscaler report

Ransomware attacks in Australia have surged 110% year-on-year, with manufacturing, healthcare, and government sectors hit hardest, says Zscaler report.

By Melvin Hipolito • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Sep 2025
E-waste hacking: The unknown data security crisis
Data Protection

E-waste hacking: The unknown data security crisis

Australian e-waste, tripling the global average, presents rising cybersecurity risks, with 10-20% of breaches linked to improper disposal of old devices.

By Ross Thompson • 5 min read • Wed, 4th Jun 2025