Number of active ransomware groups increases over 50 percent

A new report from dark web intelligence specialist Searchlight Cyber shows a 56 percent increase in the number of active ransomware groups this year compared to the first half of 2023, reflecting a diversification of the ransomware landscape. LockBit has retained its top position despite the disruption caused by Operation Cronos, though its number of listed victims has fallen compared to H1 2023. BlackCat and Cl0p though have slipped out of the top five rankings, with Play, RansomHub, BlackBasta, and 8Base filling the slots behind LockBit. RansomHub, a new ransomware group, has quickly established itself as the third most prolific… [Continue Reading]