Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence
Summary
Cyber-crime attacks are increasing worldwide, and hackers are now often threatening physical violence against employees of targeted companies. In the US, nearly half of ransomware attacks involved threats of harm to staff, with criminals using stolen personal data to intimidate victims.Key Facts
- Cyber-attacks in the US rose from about 288,000 in 2015 to over 1 million in 2025, according to FBI data.
- Financial losses from cyber-attacks in the US reached $20.8 billion in 2025, up from $16.6 billion in 2024.
- Around 40% of global ransomware attacks in 2025 included threats of physical harm; in the US, this was 46%.
- Hackers sometimes send threatening notes or use personal information like home addresses and social security numbers to intimidate employees.
- Some attackers have shown control over manufacturing equipment, risking injury or death as a method of threat.
- Many ransomware groups are state-sponsored by countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
- Most physical threat incidents come from financially motivated, often very young, hackers aged 17 to 25.
- Cyber-criminals sometimes hire others to make or carry out the threats of violence.
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