Lockbit Ransomware Dominant Even as Overall Attack Rates Fall

March 8, 2023 – Published on Security Boulevard

With victims from 23 countries, Lockbit continues to be the most prolific ransomware group in the early months of 2023, even as an 11% decrease in ransomware victims was reported in January.

These were among the findings from GuidePoint Security’s monthly ransomware threat report, which found the total number of attacks by Lockbit was more than double that of the remaining top five groups: Vice Society, AlphV, Royal and Play.

According to the report, the U.S. continues to be the most impacted country across all ransomware groups, while most industries saw a decrease in victims aligned with the overall slowdown in activity during January.

Drew Schmitt, ransomware negotiator and principal threat analyst at GuidePoint, said there are a lot of factors that influence victim posting rates across ransomware groups.

“Historically, the beginning of the year seems to be a slower time for many ransomware groups,” he said.

Whether this is related to the associated slowdown of U.S. companies for the holiday season or the groups themselves going through a slowdown is undetermined.

Based on the trends observed in 2022 and in previous years, there is likely to be a rise in activity as Q1 continues and when it ends.

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