Latest cybersecurity reporting from selected sources.

Cybersecurity researchers have charted the evolution of INC from an nascent ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation to one of the most prolific cybercrime groups in 2026, claiming no less than 830 victims since August 2023

Check Point has identified a dozen attacks in September that bore the LockBit stamp, with half of them attributed to the group’s new ransomware version

Trend™ Research analyzed source binaries from the latest activity from notorious LockBit ransomware with their 5.0 version that exhibits advanced obfuscation, anti-analysis techniques, and seamless cross-platform capabilities for Windows, Linux, and ESXi systems.

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new malware loader codenamed CountLoader that has been put to use by Russian ransomware gangs to deliver post-exploitation tools like Cobalt Strike and AdaptixC2, and a remote access trojan known as PureHVNC RAT

Newcomer VanHelsing and a Supposedly Revitalized LockBit Enter Victim-Hunting FrayWhile the vast majority of ransomware attacks lately trace to relatively long-running groups, researchers see new operators entering the fray, lately including a ransomware-as-a-service group calling itself VanHelsing, as well as a fresh version of LockBit.

It's March already and you haven't patched? Researchers are tracking a newly discovered ransomware group with suspected links to LockBit after a series of intrusions were reported starting in January.…

Collapse of LockBit and BlackCat/ALPHV Tied to Ongoing Decline in Big-Game HuntingRansomware may still be raking in massive cryptocurrency profits for practitioners, but 2024 turned out to be less of a banner year than predicted, with blockchain researchers reporting that the sum total of known ransom payments to ransomware groups in 2024 plummeted by 35%.

Cybersecurity researchers have shed light on a Linux variant of a relatively new ransomware strain called Helldown, suggesting that the threat actors are broadening their attack focus

Threat actors have been observed abusing Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) Transfer Acceleration feature as part of ransomware attacks designed to exfiltrate victim data and upload them to S3 buckets under their control

Kaspersky researchers discovered the new variant after responding to a critical incident targeting an organization in West Africa.

Ransomware, Info Stealers, Backdoors and CryptojackingHackers are on a tear to exploit unpatched ConnectWise ScreenConnect remote connection software to infect systems with ransomware, info stealers and persistent backdoors. The attacks observed by researchers include ransomware deployments tied to the now-defunct LockBit ransomware operation.

The most prolific ransomware group in recent years was on the decline at the time of its takedown, security researchers say.

New features aimed to stamp out problems of the past Law enforcement's disruption of the LockBit ransomware crew comes as the criminal group was working on bringing a brand-new variant to market, research reveals.…

Numerous Impediments Remain If Administrators Attempt to Reboot the OperationThe notorious ransomware-as-a-service group LockBit, disrupted by law enforcement this week, was developing a new version of its crypto-locking malware prior to being shut down, security researchers reported. Even so, experts say it's unlikely the group would be able to successfully reboot.

Numerous Impediments Remain, Should Administrators Attempt to Reboot OperationThe notorious ransomware-as-a-service group LockBit, disrupted by law enforcement this week, was developing a new version of its crypto-locking malware prior to being disrupted, security researchers report. Even so, experts say it's unlikely the group would be able to successfully reboot.

Numerous Impediments Remain, Should Administrators Attempt to Reboot OperationThe notorious ransomware-as-a-service group LockBit, disrupted by law enforcement this week, was developing a new version of its crypto-locking malware prior to being disrupted, security researchers report. Even so, experts say it's unlikely the group would be able to successfully reboot.

This research is the result of our collaboration with the National Crime Agency in the United Kingdom, who took action against LockBit as part of Operation Cronos, an international effort resulting in the undermining of its operations.

It's been a quiet week, with even threat actors appearing to take some time off for the holidays. We did not see much research released on ransomware this week, with most of the news focusing on new attacks and LockBit affiliates increasingly targeting hospitals. [...]

Ransomware Groups Listed 514 Victims in Total on Their Data Leak Sites Last MonthThe volume of known ransomware attacks surged last month to record-breaking levels, with groups collectively listing 514 victims on their data-leak sites, security researchers report. In the lead: long-timer LockBit followed by newcomer LostTrust, with other new groups also having a notable impact.

In targeting Apple users, LockBit is going where no major ransomware gang has gone before. But it's a warning shot, and Mac users need not worry yet.