Ransomware attack prevalence surges

Ransomware attack frequency increased by 93% in the first six months of 2021, compared with the same period last year, with the emergence of "triple extortion" techniques driving the surge, reports ComputerWeekly. Organizations worldwide have also reported 29% more cyberattacks, with the Europe Middle East and Africa region and the Americas having the highest cyberattack prevalence growth, according to a Check Point report. Supply chain attacks are also becoming more common in 2021, and despite the shutdown of the Emotet botnet operation in April, other malware strains, such as Trickbot, IcedID, Dridex and Qbot, have been gaining traction. Meanwhile, ransomware attacks are poised to continue in the second half of the year despite increased government investment against such attacks, the report said. "In the first half of 2021, cyber criminals have continued to adapt their working practices to exploit the shift to hybrid working, targeting organizations' supply chains and network links to partners to achieve maximum disruption," said Check Point Software Vice President of Research Maya Horowitz.