Ransomware attacks set to rise to record levels in 2024 despite law enforcement crackdowns

Why it matters: There have been several incidents of authorities shutting down major ransomware operations this year, including the seizing and disruption of LockBit. As such, you'd be forgiven for thinking that ransomware is declining, but it's not. According to an expert, 2024 is set to be another record-breaking year for this type of malware, with victims handing over more money than ever before.

Allan Liska, a threat intelligence analyst at cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, spoke to TechCrunch about the depressing state of ransomware in 2024.

"The curve is going to flatten a little bit, which I guess is good news. But a record-breaking year is still a record-breaking year," Liska told the publication. "We've also this year, for the first time that I'm aware of, had four eight-figure ransoms paid."

In February, UnitedHealth-owned health tech company Change Healthcare suffered a security incident that was later ...