ISMG Security Report: Data-Extortion Ransomware Loses Steam

Revenue From Data-Extortion-Only Attacks Appear to Have Plummeted to Virtually Nil Mathew J. Schwartz (euroinfosec) • March 9, 2026

While ransomware continues to disrupt businesses, thankfully some shakedown strategies are losing steam.

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In the inaugural episode of the "Security Report," Mathew Schwartz, executive editor at ISMG, reviews how criminals have continued to refine the ransomware business model. To try and hit more victims faster, without being detected, some groups have shifted from crypto locking malware to just stealing data, and then holding it to ransom.

Good news: Revenue from data-extortion-only attacks appear to have plummeted to virtually nothing.