Ransomware is far from a solved problem, and data from the first quarter of 2025 proves it. The number of attacks grew by 110% compared to the same period in the previous year, revealing a worrying evolution in the threat landscape.
Behind this increase, two factors take center stage: the rise of GenAI (Generative Artificial Intelligence) and the RaaS (Ransomware-as-a-Service) model. These two fronts are transforming cybercrime on a massive scale, allowing even actors with little technical knowledge to carry out complex attacks with high destructive potential.
What’s Behind the New Wave of Ransomware?
Ransomware has evolved from an isolated threat to a sophisticated business model. RaaS allows criminal groups to develop ready-made attack kits and make them available as a service, outsourcing the execution of attacks to less experienced operators who pay a fee for using the infrastructure.
Simultaneously, GenAI is being used to automate tasks that previously required technical knowledge. With this, attackers can now:
- Create highly personalized phishing emails.
- Develop malicious code based on simple prompts.
- Use deepfakes in fraud campaigns.
- Automate the reconnaissance of vulnerabilities in target systems.
The result is ransomware that is more accessible, more aggressive, and harder to contain.
Por que o ransomware moderno é mais perigoso?
O ransomware atual não depende mais apenas de técnicas de criptografia.
Ele explora movimentação lateral, falhas de segmentação de rede, engenharia social automatizada e, muitas vezes, permanece oculto por semanas antes de ser detectado.
Segundo estudos recentes, o tempo médio para identificar e conter uma violação é de 277 dias, sendo 207 dias para detecção e 70 dias para contenção.
Durante esse período, os invasores comprometem múltiplos sistemas, extraem dados sensíveis e executam o ataque final no momento mais estratégico.
Isso faz do ransomware uma ameaça operacional de alto impacto, que compromete não só a segurança, mas a continuidade do negócio.
Why Is Modern Ransomware More Dangerous?
Current ransomware no longer relies solely on encryption techniques. It exploits lateral movement, network segmentation failures, automated social engineering, and often remains hidden for weeks before being detected.
According to recent studies, the average time to identify and contain a breach is 277 days—207 days for detection and 70 days for containment. During this period, attackers compromise multiple systems, extract sensitive data, and execute the final attack at the most strategic moment. This makes ransomware a high-impact operational threat that compromises not only security but also business continuity.
How to Protect Yourself from Advanced Ransomware?
1. Isolation with Network Microsegmentation
Microsegmentation divides the infrastructure into small logical blocks with specific access policies. This prevents the lateral movement of attackers and limits the scope of an attack, even if a segment is compromised.
Advantages of Microsegmentation:
- Immediate threat containment.
- Reduction of impact on critical environments.
- Granular access control and internal visibility.
- Compliance support for LGPD, GDPR, and other regulations.
2. Adoption of Least Privilege Policies
Granting broad access is one of the main flaws exploited in ransomware attacks. Reduce the attack surface by applying the principle of least privilege: each user or system should only access what is strictly necessary.
3. Continuous Monitoring and Automated Response
Defensive AI-based tools like EDR, SIEM, and NDR should be integrated to detect anomalous patterns and trigger automated responses in real-time. This reduces the exposure window and increases containment capability.
4. Continuous Team Education
Technology without training is not enough. The main entry point for ransomware is still human error. Promote a security culture with phishing simulations, regular training, and awareness campaigns.
GenAI and RaaS: Real, Not Just Theoretical, Risks
While many headlines talk about “autonomous” AI attacks, the most immediate risks lie in the massification of attacks by non-specialized actors. GenAI and RaaS are facilitating the automation and commercialization of cybercrime, lowering entry barriers and increasing the volume and speed of malicious campaigns. Companies that still rely on static perimeters and traditional defense are more exposed than ever.
Prevention Is Cheaper and More Strategic
Protecting yourself against advanced ransomware requires not only new tools but a new mindset. Strategies like microsegmentation, granular access control, lateral visibility, and automated response are fundamental to containing attacks before they cause irreversible damage.
Investing in prevention costs, on average, less than 1% of what would be needed to respond to a full-blown attack. The question, then, is no longer “if” it’s worth it, but how long your organization can last without changing.
Want to protect your company from advanced ransomware?
Talk to Altasnet specialists and discover how to implement an effective security architecture capable of isolating threats, blocking lateral movements, and protecting critical data.
