Remote Ransomware on the Rise - Attackers are increasingly encrypting files out of sight

Ransomware is one of the most significant threats facing organizations today. Battling it is no easy task, particularly given that threat actors are continually refining their techniques and approaches.

At the end of 2023, Sophos X-Ops noted a significant increase in ‘remote encryption’ attacks – where ransomware attackers breach a compromised and often under protected endpoint to encrypt data on other devices connected to the same network. 

This trend has only accelerated, with Sophos X-Ops now reporting a 50% year-over-year increase in remote ransomware attacks in 2024. That represents a 141% rise since 2022, underscoring the prevalence of this threat.