Extortion stories

UK launches GBP £210m Cyber Action Plan and central unit to shore up digital public services amid rising attacks and legacy risks.

Myths over the value of business data are leaving smaller firms dangerously exposed, IDS-INDATA warns ahead of Data Privacy Day.

A sexual assault survivor says she feels re‑victimised and furious after the Manage My Health hack and US$60,000 ransom demand.

Government orders urgent review into ManageMyHealth cyber breach as hackers threaten to leak 400,000 patient files over NZD $60,000.

AI will transform cyber threats by 2026, experts say, but warn over-automation and legacy systems could imperil critical infrastructure.

Ransomware attacks on manufacturing shift from encryption to data theft and extortion, with recovery costs averaging USD $1.3 million, reveals new research.

Fraud losses in the UK surged to GBP £1.17 billion in 2024, with Black Friday scams and unauthorised card fraud sharply increasing online threats.

Australian organisations face increasing ransomware threats from top groups like Qilin, Akira, Scattered Spider, impacting sectors from healthcare to education and business.

European organisations faced a sharp 2024 rise in ransomware and state-backed cyberattacks, with 22% of global victims, says CrowdStrike's latest report.

Global ransomware attacks surged 28% in September, with Industrials hardest hit, as cyber criminals ramp up efforts ahead of the busy holiday season.

Over half of cyberattacks last year were driven by extortion or ransomware, with criminals focusing on financial gain rather than espionage, Microsoft reveals.

Australia ranks tenth globally for cyberattack frequency, with AI fueling a rise in ransomware and extortion, Microsoft reports in its 2025 Digital Defence Review.

Two UK teenagers linked to SCATTERED SPIDER have been charged for cyberattacks disrupting Transport for London, amid ongoing global cyber threats.

Ransomware attacks in Australia have surged 110% year-on-year, with manufacturing, healthcare, and government sectors hit hardest, says Zscaler report.

Ransomware payouts have surged past USD $1 million in Q2 2025, driven by data exfiltration and social engineering in targeted attacks on mid-sized firms.

Australian e-waste, tripling the global average, presents rising cybersecurity risks, with 10-20% of breaches linked to improper disposal of old devices.

Ransomware attacks in Australia surged in 2023–24, costing businesses up to AUD $97,200 on average, urging firms to bolster cyber defences and response plans.

Coinbase says a data breach affected around 1% of users, with cybercriminals demanding a USD $20 million ransom, which was firmly rejected by the firm.

Cybercriminal group Scattered Spider, known for targeting UK retailers, has shifted focus to major US retailers, raising fresh cybersecurity concerns.

Google's GTIG reports 75 zero-day exploits in 2024, highlighting a rising threat to enterprise tech despite a slight overall decrease from 2023.