{"id":381333,"date":"2025-02-08T11:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-02-08T11:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/?p=381333"},"modified":"2025-02-08T11:00:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T11:00:57","slug":"ransom-payments-plummet-35","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/ransom-payments-plummet-35","title":{"rendered":"Ransom Payments Plummet by 35% \u2014 But Industries Shouldn\u2019t Relax"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;ve all seen the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/ransomware-disrupts-new-york-blood-supply-as-healthcare-hacks-rise\">daily reports of ransomware attacks<\/a>, but it&#8217;s not all doom and gloom.<\/p>\n<p>According to figures released by Chainalysis on February 5, 2025, ransomware payments significantly declined in 2024, falling by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chainalysis.com\/blog\/crypto-crime-ransomware-victim-extortion-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\">35% to $813.55 million<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This marks a sharp drop from 2023 when payments reached an all-time high of $1.25 billion.<\/p>\n<p>Yet cybercriminals continue targeting organizations across all sectors, with small businesses facing heightened risk due to limited security resources and industries facing millions of dollars in supply chain disruption every day that they are offline.<\/p>\n<p>Has the ransomware surge peaked, or is it a taste of what&#8217;s to come? Techopedia explores.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<h2><span id=\"key_takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Despite increased attack frequency, ransom payments dropped 35% to $813.5M in 2024.<\/li>\n<li>Manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation sectors face the highest risks.<\/li>\n<li>Ransomware-as-a-service platforms enable technically unskilled criminals to launch sophisticated attacks.<\/li>\n<li>Small businesses must prioritize basic security measures to combat their heightened risk level.<\/li>\n<li>Technologies like 5G and edge computing create additional attack surfaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n    <section class=\"toc-sticky w-100 bg-white \">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\"\n                 aria-controls=\"multiCollapse1\"\n                 data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse1\">\n                <button\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                >\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n                <span class=\"toc-main-title-permanent\">Table of Contents<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div\n                    class=\"collapse my-3\"\n                    id=\"multiCollapse1\"\n            >\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item current\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"more_ransomware_attacks_but_less_bounty\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"more_ransomware_attacks_but_less_bounty\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">More Ransomware Attacks \u2014 But Less Bounty<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"industries_most_vulnerable_to_ransomware_attacks\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"industries_most_vulnerable_to_ransomware_attacks\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Industries Most Vulnerable to Ransomware Attacks<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"references\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"references\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">References<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__btn-top justify-content-center\">\n                    <button class=\"btn btn-link d-flex align-items-center\" onclick={btnTop()}><p>Show Full Guide<\/p><img decoding=\"async\"\n                                src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/table-of-contents\/assets\/images\/arrow-up-circle.svg\"\n                                alt=\"arrow-up-circle\">\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <div class=\"toc-sticky-list\">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-controls=\"multiCollapse2\" data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse2\">\n                <button class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\">\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"collapse my-3\" id=\"multiCollapse2\">\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item current \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"more_ransomware_attacks_but_less_bounty\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"more_ransomware_attacks_but_less_bounty\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">More Ransomware Attacks \u2014 But Less Bounty<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"industries_most_vulnerable_to_ransomware_attacks\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"industries_most_vulnerable_to_ransomware_attacks\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Industries Most Vulnerable to Ransomware Attacks<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"show_moretoc\">Show Full Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"references\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"references\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">References<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                     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      })(header, pageLegendCollapse);\n\tjQuery('span.show_moretoc').click(function(){\n\t\tjQuery('span.show_moretoc').hide();\n\t   jQuery('.ms_hidetoc').show();\n\t});\n    });\n\n    \/\/ When the user clicks on the button, scroll to the top of the document\n    function btnTop() {\n        const pageLegend = document.querySelector('#multiCollapse1');\n        document.querySelector('html').classList.remove('overflow-hidden');\n        pageLegend.classList.remove('overflow-auto');\n        pageLegend.style.height = 'auto';\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: 0,\n            behavior: 'smooth'\n        });\n    }\n\n    const handleScrollToTitle = (id) => {\n        const el = document.getElementById(id);\n        const headerHeightDifference = window.innerWidth < 992 ? -30 : -15;\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: el.offsetTop - 60 - headerHeightDifference - 10,\n        });\n    }\n<\/script>\n\n<h2><span id=\"more_ransomware_attacks_but_less_bounty\">More Ransomware Attacks \u2014 But Less Bounty<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Coordinated law enforcement actions in 2024 significantly affected major ransomware groups, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/mysterious-notlockbit-ransomware-attacks-windows-mac\">the takedown of LockBit<\/a>, in particular, leading to a 79% payment reduction in the second half of 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the BlackCat ransomware group was stopped shortly after the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/security-experts-ai-healthcare-cybersecurity\">Change Healthcare attack<\/a>, which saw millions of Americans unable to get their prescriptions for a week. This was followed by a federal investigation amid an alleged $22m ransom payment.<\/p>\n<p>But despite the success of law enforcement teams, cybercriminals continue to adapt their attack methods, with new groups such as Arcus Media, HellCat, RansomHub, and FunkSec forming from the remnants of the old.<\/p>\n<p>Although payments have plummeted, statistics show ransomware attacks increased 67% in 2023, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sophos.com\/en-us\/press\/press-releases\/2024\/04\/ransomware-payments-increase-500-last-year-finds-sophos-state\" target=\"_blank\">average recovery costs reaching $2.73 million<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The increase in attacks is due to attackers now using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/32410\/ransomware-as-a-service-raas\">Ransomware-as-Service<\/a> (RaaS) platforms, which make it easier to launch sophisticated attacks without the required technical expertise.<\/p>\n<p>Chainalysis pointed to new tech and changing social patterns as key factors playing into ransomware groups, including:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/27531\/cryptocurrency\">Cryptocurrency<\/a> adoption enabling anonymous payments<\/li>\n<li>Complex <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/supply-chain-attack\">supply chain<\/a> vulnerabilities<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/remote-work-predictions\">Remote work<\/a> expanding attack surfaces<\/li>\n<li>Insufficient security awareness training<\/li>\n<li>Limited IT security resources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>The manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation sectors face the highest risks due to their critical operations and complex supply chains.<\/p>\n<p>When attacked, these organizations often struggle between paying ransoms or enduring costly, drawn-out operational disruptions.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"industries_most_vulnerable_to_ransomware_attacks\">Industries Most Vulnerable to Ransomware Attacks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comparitech.com\/blog\/information-security\/ransomware-manufacturing-companies\/\" target=\"_blank\">Manufacturers lose $1.9 million daily<\/a> to ransomware attacks, and downtime is more than just a number: it results in lost revenue, stalled production, and supply chain chaos.<\/p>\n<p>Once attacked, companies simply cannot track shipments, manage inventory, or process transactions without access to critical data. Even if companies have backups, attackers often aim to disable them first, leaving few options beyond paying ransoms or rebuilding from scratch.<\/p>\n<p>We must also remember that physical or virtual criminals will try to turn any situation into an opportunity. Intelligent architectures bring new challenges, especially with the rise of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/how-will-5g-change-the-world\">5G<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/32472\/edge-computing\">edge computing <\/a>technologies.<\/p>\n<p>The common targets of ransomware within manufacturing include:<\/p>\n<h3>Industrial Control Systems<\/h3>\n<p>As industries merge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/operational-technology-ot\">operational technology<\/a> (OT) with IT, industrial control systems (ICS) become prime cyber targets.<\/p>\n<p>These systems manage critical infrastructure like power grids and traffic signals, making security essential.<\/p>\n<p>Research from BitSight previously showed that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitsight.com\/blog\/bitsight-identifies-nearly-100000-exposed-industrial-control-systems\" target=\"_blank\">nearly 100,000 ICS devices remain exposed online<\/a>, making them a target for attackers and the essential services we rely on.<\/p>\n<h3>Water and Renewables<\/h3>\n<p>Water and renewable energy industries face cybersecurity risks similar to oil and gas. Shared systems create multiple ransomware entry points to industrial control systems.<\/p>\n<p>America has experienced a spate of water attacks over the last 18 months, including one attack on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/us-thanksgiving-hospital-water-cyberattacks\">water supply system in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of monitoring water supplies, computer monitors instead displayed: &#8220;<i>\u2026Our system had been hacked by the legal authority by the Cyber Av3ngers. Down with Israel.<\/i>&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3>Oil and Gas<\/h3>\n<p>The attack on the Colonial Pipeline proved how a single breach can halt fuel distribution, spike prices, and expose security gaps.<\/p>\n<p>In that incident, a ransomware attack stopped a significant fuel pipeline from working, disrupting supply chains across the Eastern United States and having knock-on effects on citizens and federal agencies.<\/p>\n<p>These disruptions don&#8217;t just delay operations; they drive up costs, damage reputations, and cause chaos for the rest of us.<\/p>\n<h3>Transportation<\/h3>\n<p>An attack on transport logistics isn&#8217;t just about disrupted schedules; lives are at risk! It&#8217;s not always obvious, but a compromised rail system could cause collisions, while attacks on shipping or road networks create chaos.<\/p>\n<p>As connectivity grows, so do vulnerabilities, with breaches exposing data and crippling logistics. When transport stops, everything does.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"the_bottom_line\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s great to learn that ransomware payments have dropped significantly, but that doesn&#8217;t mean we can relax.<\/p>\n<p>Ransomware gangs constantly change and seek new ways to exploit a system, meaning constant vigilance and stronger security measures are needed to stay one step ahead of malicious actors.<\/p>\n<p>Law enforcement officers are still rounding up these groups, shutting down their activities, and arresting people. Although what they do is helpful, companies cannot just rely on that; they have to take responsibility for their security defenses. A proactive approach is needed to reduce risk and limit any damage.<\/p>\n<p>Security professionals and business leaders all contribute to strengthening defenses. However, without commitment from every level, organizations remain vulnerable.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"man_faq_sec\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><\/time><section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">Why have total ransom payments dropped this year?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Ransom payments declined in 2024 due to improved cybersecurity, better backups, and law enforcement crackdowns on ransomware groups.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What measures have helped reduce ransomware payments?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Stronger security practices, better backups, cyber insurance requirements, and international law enforcement efforts have all contributed.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">Which industries are most at risk from ransomware attacks?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation face the highest risks due to their critical operations and supply chain dependencies.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">How does Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) work?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">RaaS allows cybercriminals to rent ransomware tools from developers, enabling unskilled hackers to launch sophisticated attacks easily.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What should small businesses do to protect against ransomware?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Maintain offline backups, train employees, enable MFA, update software regularly, and restrict network access.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is the biggest emerging ransomware threat?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">The rise of AI-powered cyberattacks and the increasing exploitation of 5G and edge computing vulnerabilities pose new threats.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<div class=\"reference-content\">\n<div class=\"reference-heading reference-content-collapsible-heading\">\n<h2><span id=\"references\">References<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"reference-content-body\">\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chainalysis.com\/blog\/crypto-crime-ransomware-victim-extortion-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\">Crypto Ransomware 2025: 35.82% YoY Decrease in Ransomware Payments<\/a> (Chainalysis)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sophos.com\/en-us\/press\/press-releases\/2024\/04\/ransomware-payments-increase-500-last-year-finds-sophos-state\" target=\"_blank\">Ransomware Payments Increase 500% In the Last Year, Finds Sophos State of Ransomware Report<\/a> (Sophos)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comparitech.com\/blog\/information-security\/ransomware-manufacturing-companies\/\" target=\"_blank\">On average, manufacturing companies lose $1.9 million per day to downtime from ransomware attacks<\/a> (Comparitech)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitsight.com\/blog\/bitsight-identifies-nearly-100000-exposed-industrial-control-systems\" target=\"_blank\">Bitsight identifies nearly 100,000 exposed industrial control systems<\/a>\u00a0(Bitsight)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;ve all seen the daily reports of ransomware attacks, but it&#8217;s not all doom and gloom. According to figures released by Chainalysis on February 5, 2025, ransomware payments significantly declined in 2024, falling by 35% to $813.55 million. This marks a sharp drop from 2023 when payments reached an all-time high of $1.25 billion. Yet [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7909,"featured_media":381334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[585],"tags":[],"category_partsoff":[],"class_list":["post-381333","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cyber-threats"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ransom Payments Plummet by 35% \u2014 But Industries Shouldn\u2019t Relax<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ransomware payments dropped 35% in 2024 despite increased attacks. 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