{"id":461,"date":"2025-03-19T21:28:05","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T21:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techrepublic.com\/?p=4298600"},"modified":"2025-03-19T21:28:05","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T21:28:05","slug":"techrepublic-exclusive-new-ransomware-attacks-are-getting-more-personal-as-hackers-apply-psychological-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tecnoartesanos.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/19\/techrepublic-exclusive-new-ransomware-attacks-are-getting-more-personal-as-hackers-apply-psychological-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"TechRepublic EXCLUSIVE: New Ransomware Attacks are Getting More Personal as Hackers \u2018Apply Psychological Pressure\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image: rthanuthattaphong\/Envato Elements<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Experts warn that desperate ransomware attackers are shifting focus from businesses to individuals, applying \u201cpsychological pressure\u201d with personal threats that bring digital extortion into the physical world. In one stunning recent example, Guy Segal and Moty Cristal from ransomware negotiator and incident response firm Sygnia said a threat actor personally called an executive\u2019s mobile phone and referenced sensitive details extracted from the company\u2019s internal system.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the call, they referenced personal information, underscoring just how much data an employer may hold on its employees,\u201d Cristal \u2014 a tactical negotiator \u2014 told TechRepublic. \u201cRansomware attacks aren\u2019t just about encrypted files; they can become invasive in other ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/span>Ransomware payments decline, but threats escalate<\/span><\/h2>\n

While ransomware has been a problem for decades, global payouts in 2023 surpassed $1 billion for the first time, marking a historic escalation in cyber extortion. Attackers have continuously refined their tactics, finding new ways to extract maximum payments from victims.<\/p>\n

New data revealed last month that ransomware<\/a> payments decreased by 35% in 2024<\/a>. Experts attribute the decline to successful law enforcement takedowns and improved cyber hygiene globally, which have enabled more victims to refuse payment. In response, attackers are adapting<\/a>, acting faster to initiate negotiations and developing stealthier, harder-to-detect ransomware strains.<\/p>\n

SEE: Most Ransomware Attacks Occur When Security Staff Are Asleep, Study Finds<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Targeted individuals are often C-level executives or work in legal fields. The stolen personal data can include information about where their children live or go to school or even photos of loved ones. Cristal added that it is \u201cextremely rare\u201d for an attacker actually to act on these physical threats, but the success of the attack only requires the victim to believe they could.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can become deeply personal to encourage a knee-jerk reaction from the victim,\u201d he said. Cristal added that about 70% of ransoms do not get paid. The majority of the time, the attacks are not personal.<\/p>\n

But when attackers escalate threats by promising to leak sensitive data, they also demonstrate their effectiveness within the cyber crime community\u2014if they do not receive payment, they can sell the valuable data on the black market for a last-minute payday.<\/p>\n