"Ransomware Attacks Jump as New Malware Strains Proliferate, Research Finds"

Security researchers at NCC Group have found that ransomware cases jumped 47 percent amid a rise in attacks involving newer strains of malicious software infecting targets.  The researchers noted that reported incidents increased to 198 in July from 135 in June.  The researchers stated that LockBit was associated with 62 incidents in July, nearly 20 percent higher than its June total of 52 known incidents.  LockBit remains “the most threatening ransomware group, and with which all organizations should aim to be aware of,” the researchers noted.  The researchers stated that Hive and BlackBasta are following LockBit in the number of reported attacks.  Both of those groups have connections to Conti, once the most prolific ransomware group before a fracturing of sorts in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.   The researchers also noted the continued activity of North Korean cyber criminals tracked broadly under the name Lazarus Group.   The researchers stated that Lazarus Group seems to be improving their crypto-theft and ransomware operations, so it is more important than ever to monitor their activity closely.  The researchers noted that cryptocurrency organizations in the US, Japan, and South Korea should remain on high alert.

CyberScoop reports: "Ransomware Attacks Jump as New Malware Strains Proliferate, Research Finds"