Threat
Snapshot 2
Blurring
Boundaries 3
Vulnerability
Intelligence 4
Stolen Access
Credentials 6
Tips
7
20
Ransomware
5
Key
Findings 1
LockBit, which was the most prolific and active ransomware family in 2023, was pushed to 2nd
place following a global law enforcement takedown campaign known as “Operation Cronos” that
took place in February 2024.
25
The participating law enforcement agencies disrupted LockBit’s
operations by seizing the gang’s websites and dismantling its infrastructure. The operation also
led to the indictment and arrest of some of its operators and affiliates. While the gang set up
a new website shortly after the seizure, it has not managed to restore its previous status as
the leading ransomware group. Nonetheless, the gang has still demonstrated some degree of
resiliency, and in late 2024, it announced its plans to launch the new Lockbit 4.0 version of its
malware.
The RansomHub ransomware gang filled the void left by the LockBit seizure, becoming the most
active group in 2024. RansomHub became active starting in February 2024 and listed a total of
612 victims on its dark web data leaks and extortion website as of the end of 2024.
Impact of Law Enforcement Operations
The Dispossessor gang is an unexpected name on the list of top ransomware gangs, as it is less
familiar and has made less headlines than the other gangs on the list. The Dispossessor (also
known as Radar) ransomware first emerged in August 2023.
26
Researchers noted that the gang
bears similarities to the LockBit gang, and it is suspected as having ties to former affiliates of
LockBit. While the gang published 344 victims on its website in the past year, the leaked data
Most Active Ransomware Gangs in 2024
(by number of claimed victims)
Ransomhub
Lockbits
Play
Dispossessor
Akira
Hunters
Medusa
Qilin
Blackbasta
Bianlian
612
538
367
344
317
235
214
186 185
169
Threat
Snapshot 2
Key
Findings 1
Blurring
Boundaries 3
Stolen Access
Credentials 6
Tips
7
Ransomware
5
Ransomware
5
Vulnerability
Intelligence 4