Ransomware Gangs Fragment Amid Rising Attacks in 2026

In 2026, ransomware attacks have surged, with Group-IB reporting 2,393 incidents in the first quarter, a 4.5% increase from the previous quarter. The fragmentation of criminal operations is evident as affiliates turn against each other, leading to increased competition and solo attacks. South Korea has been notably affected, with reported ransomware incidents rising from 82 to 192 in the latter half of 2025. The January attack on Kyowon Group compromised 600 servers and exposed 9.6 million user accounts. Additionally, artificial intelligence is being utilized to enhance malware development and tailor ransom demands. Group-IB emphasizes the need for organizations to monitor underground markets and include third-party vendors in their security assessments. The overall landscape indicates a growing threat as ransomware groups become more aggressive and disorganized.

Key Points: • Ransomware attacks in 2026 reached 2,393 incidents in Q1, a 4.5% increase. • Ransomware groups are fragmenting, leading to increased competition and solo operations. • AI is being used to enhance ransomware capabilities and set ransom demands.