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Ransomware attacks spike as criminals use AI tools
Wired AI: Beware the New AI-Fueled Ransomware Boom
Fully automated ransomware hasn’t arrived—yet. But seemingly unsophisticated attackers are using AI tools to wreak havoc.
Ransomware attacks, where criminals encrypt systems and steal data to extort payments, have spiked significantly in recent months with claimed incidents rising 20 to 40 percent since spring. Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI tools like large language models to make their attacks more effective, particularly for creating convincing phishing emails and conducting extortion negotiations, though fully automated AI-powered ransomware has not yet emerged. The threat is expanding internationally and becoming more accessible to less experienced attackers, with new ransomware groups appearing and claiming hundreds of victims, including operations run by inexperienced individuals who have generated substantial profits in short timeframes. This combination of established criminal methods with AI capabilities means the ransomware danger is likely to grow further as attackers experiment with new techniques and entry barriers to launching attacks continue to lower.
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Also reported by TechCrunch, Wired AI, The Robot Report and The Decoder
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Also reported by Wired AI
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Also reported by The Verge
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