In the world of malware, common ransomware schemes aim to take the data within databases (considered the "gold" in the vault of any organization) and hold them hostage, promising data recovery upon ransom payment. Typically, most of these schemes follow an expected script: encrypting files, requesting payment, and then delivering a decryption key. This model, while damaging, generally allows victims to recover if they pay the ransom.

In 2024, the ransomware landscape recorded 5,414 published attacks on organizations worldwide, representing an 11% increase compared to 2023. While the year began with a decline in ransomware activity during Q1, the frequency of attacks surged in Q2 and continued to rise through the remainder of the year. This culminated in a dramatic spike during Q4, which saw 1,827 incidents—33% of all ransomware attacks for the year—making it the most active quarter.

Advanced cyberattacks by adversaries who maximize the impact using the combination of sophisticated tools and methods are the norm. Some of the most dangerous strategies are integrating supply chain attacks, infostealer malware, and infamous threat actors, including IntelBroker and CyberNiggers. The above-mentioned groups typify the growing landscape of the cyber threat that makes use of collaboration, sophisticated tools, and strategic exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Space Bear is a relatively new ransomware group that first appeared on the radar in April 2024. The gang, which is aligned to the Phobos ransomware-as-a-service group, steals sensitive data from organisations, encrypts victims' computer systems, and demands that a ransom be paid for a decryption key or the data will be published on the dark web.

It’s becoming all too common these days: ransomware hitting another organization. However, most people don’t know exactly what happens when ransomware is found and what must be addressed. What makes it even more challenging for healthcare is that the data that can be stolen, like personal health information, is much more valuable than credit card numbers.

As 2025 progresses into its second week, it has not taken long for a new data-leak site (DLS) for an extortion group to emerge. December 2024 saw the emergence of LeakedData, FunkSec, and Bluebox. This week, the new group goes by the name Morpheus. Read on to find out what Cyjax knows about this new entrant into the extortion scene so far.

Let’s begin 2025 with an understatement about last year: 2024 was an eventful year for cybersecurity. That in itself is no surprise. The specifics, though, looked like this: AI use accelerated (for good and for bad), ransomware surged and relentless attacks on third parties shifted focus to cyber resilience.