Introduction
Ransomware isnât slowing downâin fact, itâs accelerating.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, ransomware attacks grew 35% over Q4 2024, with over 2,200 victims listed on leak sites (Source: Corvus Insurance).
If your organization isnât actively preparing for faster attacks and more sophisticated tactics, youâre already behind.
The most prevalent ransomware groups, their changing tactics, and the crucial precautions you can take to safeguard your company will all be covered in this article.
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Explore our complete 2025 Cybersecurity Statistics Report here.
Growth of Ransomware Victims Over Time
Whatâs Driving Ransomware Growth in 2025?
Because the barriers to entry have never been lower, ransomware is still growing.
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platforms now allow even unskilled attackers to rent powerful encryption tools and data leak sites on demand.
Key factors fueling the surge:
- More active groups: As of Q1 2025, 70 ransomware groups were active globally (Source: HIPAA Journal).
- Focus on mid-market companies: Attackers increasingly target organizations with fewer resources to resist or negotiate.
- Supply chain attacks: Groups compromise trusted vendors to reach hundreds of downstream targets at once.
Top Ransomware Groups in 2025
Below are the most prolific ransomware groups as of mid-2025:
| Group | Notable Tactics | Target Industries |
|---|---|---|
| Clop | Supply chain attacks, zero-day exploits | Finance, SaaS |
| LockBit | Double extortion, leak site publishing | Manufacturing, Healthcare |
| Akira | Phishing and credential theft | SMBs, Education |
| Black Basta | RDP brute force, rapid encryption | Healthcare, Energy |
| Play | VPN exploitation, manual exfiltration | Retail, Healthcare |
These organisations have honed their strategies and frequently function similarly to established companies, complete with help desks and negotiation portals.
âWeâve seen ransomware dwell times drop below 48 hours in many engagements.â â Bluefire Redteam
How Ransomware Tactics Are Evolving
Ransomware attacks in 2025 are not just about encryptionâtheyâre about leverage.
Nowadays, Multi-Extortion is commonplace: hackers steal information, threaten to release it, and occasionally use DDoS attacks to apply more pressure.
Other emerging tactics:
- AI-generated phishing lures that look indistinguishable from legitimate messages.
- Faster encryption speeds, leaving less time to respond.
- EDR evasion, with malware that auto-disables security tools.
- Targeting backups first to prevent recovery.
Because of these changes, detection and reaction times need to be expressed in minutes rather than days.
Ransomware Attack Methods in 2025
Ransomware Prevention Best Practices
Ransomware is preventable when you combine layered controls and disciplined preparation.
At Bluefire Redteam, we recommend these proven strategies:
Immutable, offline backups
Ensure your backups canât be altered or deleted by attackers.
Network segmentation
Limit lateral movement if an endpoint is compromised.
Mandatory multi-factor authentication
Especially on remote access tools and email accounts.
Continuous phishing simulations
Train employees to recognize increasingly sophisticated lures.
24/7 monitoring and MDR
Managed Detection & Response services detect threats before encryption starts.
What To Do If Youâre Hit by Ransomware
Step 1: Do not pay immediately.
Assess the scope of the incident first.
Step 2: Isolate affected systems.
Unplug compromised machines from the network.
Step 3: Engage an incident response team.
This preserves evidence and maximizes negotiation leverage.
Step 4: Notify legal and regulatory contacts.
Especially if customer or patient data is involved.
Step 5: Prepare for disclosure.
Transparency often limits reputational damage.
âBluefire Redteam specializes in ransomware containment, negotiation support, and recovery planning.â
Stay Ahead of Ransomware in 2025
Attacks using ransomware are more common, more sophisticated, and more destructive than in the past.
The best defense is an ongoing commitment to preparation, testing, and rapid response.
Don’t wait to learn the hard way if you’re not sure if your company could survive a contemporary ransomware attack.
đ Schedule a Free Ransomware Simulation Assessment with Bluefire Redteam Today.
