There was a significant growth in threats from ransomware over the past 12 months, according to a new report focused on data breaches. The report, compiled by Verizon, showed a 37 per cent increase in ransomware threats compared to the same period ending in 2024.
Ransomware is often broadly defined as a malware that is designed to deny users, businesses or organisations access to their online data stored on computers or servers. In a ransomware attack, data is often encrypted and criminals demand payment for the decryption key.
There was a silver lining, however: the median amount paid to ransomware groups decreased to about $115,000, compared to $150,000 in the prior-year period.
Another bright spot, according to the report, was that 64 per cent of ransomware victims did not pay the ransoms.
Forty-four per cent of ransomware victims, according to Verizon, were local US governments, but similar bodies and municipalities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa have been affected.
"The real story here is that not only are these government entities being targeted, but they are also the favourite of certain ransomware gangs," the report stated.
Alexander Ivanyuk, technology director at the Swiss cyber-security company Acronis, told The National that the findings offer businesses and other entities some teachable lessons.
"Ransomware preparedness needs to go beyond prevention," Mr Ivanyuk said. "Organisations should maintain reliable back-ups, test recovery procedures regularly and develop response playbooks that cover scenarios like extortion, encryption, and data theft."
Credential abuse
The report also shows that the use of stolen, leaked and illicitly obtained user names and passwords – generally referred to as credential abuse – is still a major problem.
Verizon describes credential abuse as "still the most common vector" for costly and damaging data breaches.
Marc Manzano, general manager of cybersecurity at SandboxAQ, a company that works with quantum technology and artificial intelligence, said the continuing problems around compromised credentials go beyond user names and passwords.
"Crucially, the report highlights the types of credentials being stolen and misused – API keys, cloud infrastructure secrets, development pipeline tokens," he said.
Mr Manzano said cyber criminals were more quickly using technology and techniques, new and old, to identify and take advantage of security weaknesses.
"It specifically calls out the alarming speed – often zero days – at which edge device and VPN vulnerabilities are weaponised," he said.
"This underscores the absolute necessity for robust management of cryptographic assets and their dependencies, particularly for securing the machine-to-machine communications that rely on these edge systems."
Morey Haber, chief security adviser at cyber-security company BeyondTrust, echoed Mr Manzano's observations.
"This surge underlines the urgent need for stronger identity security measures," he said. Mr Haber stressed that the analysis shows the risks from employees using their own computers and devices to access work data.
"Nearly half of all compromised credentials are linked to bring-your-own-device environments and systems outside formal policy and governance, suggesting that corporate-managed systems offer stronger protection."
The specs
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MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
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The years Ramadan fell in May
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
SPECS
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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
