Ransomware attacks increased 132% in early 2025

Ransomware attacks are on the rise, according to a recent FBI warning. The new report highlights a significant increase in ransomware incidents, despite a drop in the amount paid in ransoms. Ransomware attacks surged by 132% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, payments to criminals have decreased by 35%. This shift has encouraged attackers to change their tactics to adapt to better security measures in many organizations. One notable trend is the use of artificial intelligence in phishing attacks, which have skyrocketed by 1,633%. These AI-driven scams help cybercriminals gain access to networks more effectively. Another worrying tactic is called "adversary-in-the-middle" attacks, which allow hackers to bypass two-factor authentication by stealing session cookies. The report from Ontinue emphasizes that the cyber threat landscape is becoming more aggressive. Attackers are using trusted platforms and legitimate software to find and exploit vulnerabilities. Despite the drop in ransom payments, experts like Casey Ellis from Bugcrowd believe that ransomware is still a serious threat. He notes that increased law enforcement and better cooperation among agencies are having a positive impact. However, the question remains whether this downtrend in payments will continue, as hackers are always finding new ways to adapt.