● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportHigh impact
Ransomware Payments Increase Under Regulatory Scrutiny
A recent report reveals that nearly half of ransomware victims pay ransoms, with the median amount demanded rising. In response, some jurisdictions, including the UK, are moving to ban ransom payments for public sector entities amid a surge in ransomware attacks driven by AI tools and advanced targeting methods.
Key points
- 49% of ransomware victims pay the ransom
- UK plans to ban ransom payments for public sector
- Ransomware victims rose 389% from 2024 to 2025
- AI tools are enabling more efficient attacks
Ransomware Payment Trends
According to a 2025 report by Sophos, almost half of companies targeted by ransomware opt to pay the ransom to regain access to their data.
The median ransom amount being demanded is also on the rise, adding financial strain to affected organizations.
Regulatory Responses
In light of increasing ransomware threats, jurisdictions like the UK are advancing legislation to prohibit ransom payments.
This proposed ban would specifically apply to public sector bodies and critical national infrastructure sectors, including the National Health Service.
Evolution of Ransomware Tactics
Experts note that the ransomware landscape has become more sophisticated, resembling corporate structures in their operations.
Haydn Brooks from Risk Ledger highlights that ransomware groups are now using advanced targeting techniques focused on small and medium-sized businesses.
Impact of AI on Ransomware
The rise of malicious AI tools such as WormGPT and FraudGPT has tripled the number of confirmed ransomware victims.
Dave Spillane from Fortinet states that hackers can now target up to four organizations simultaneously, greatly increasing the efficiency of attacks.
The Cost of Defending Against Ransomware
Shashi Kiran from Nile points out that while the cost of executing ransomware attacks has diminished, the cost of defending against them continues to rise.
This creates a precarious situation for companies attempting to secure their networks against increasingly frequent and advanced attacks.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
A recent report reveals that nearly half of ransomware victims pay ransoms, with the median amount demanded rising. In response, some jurisdictions, including the UK, are moving to ban ransom payments for public sector entities amid a surge in ransomware attacks driven by AI tools and advanced targeting methods.