Almost half of ransomware victims have data stolen before they can even
detect an intrusion

Date:
Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Description:
Hackers are getting better at hiding and stealing files without raising alarms.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter ExtraHops Global Threat Landscape Report shows 49% of ransomware victims only detected attacks after data theft, up from 31% last year Average dwell time before detection is 2.5 weeks; attackers exploit encrypted channels, valid accounts, and alert
fatigue to evade defenses Ransom payments fell from $3.6M to $2.8M, but payment frequency rose sharply, with 83% of surveyed victims paying in 2026 vs. 70% in 2025 Criminals are getting better at hiding within their victims infrastructure, lurking and stealing files without triggering any alarms whatsoever.

Earlier today, network detection and response experts ExtraHop released the Global Threat Landscape Report, based on a survey of more than 1,800 IT and security leaders worldwide. In it, it is said that roughly half (49%) of organizations that were struck by ransomware did not detect the threat until after the data was stolen. This is up from 31% a year ago, ExtraHop stressed, showing the improvement criminals made within just 12 months. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: Several factors On average, cybercriminals have 2.5 weeks of quiet time before being spotted in ransomware incidents, the report stated. Furthermore, 14% of victims were unaware of an attack until receiving a ransom demand, which is also up from 6% a year ago.

Prolonged dwell times often parallel a highly complex threat environment
where critical alerts are obscured, ExtraHop said in a press release shared with TechRadar Pro. The researchers uncovered several factors that led to delays in investigating critical alerts, including attackers using encrypted channels (41%), attacker activity mirroring legitimate workflows and
processes (38%), using valid, high-privilege account permissions (34%), and alert fatigue (30%). Undermined baseline behavior also enabled anomalous actions to fly under the radar (27%). You may like Experts warn ransomware hackers will often lower their prices - with some giving discounts up to 96% Reported ransomware incidents are just the tip of the iceberg Big Game Hunters: UK ransomware volume drops significantly 'but the reality is more alarming' big orgs are being hit harder and with greater success

The good news is that the average ransom payment dropped year-on-year, from $3.6 million down to $2.8 million. However, the bad news is that the payment frequency spiked. While in 2025 70% of respondents paid a ransom, this year 83% have done the same, at least among ExtraHops respondents.

When Chainalysis ran a similar survey recently, it said that in 2025 the number of successful ransomware attacks grew, while the number of payments remained relatively flat, meaning that in absolute numbers - there were fewer companies paying ransomware attackers. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/almost-half-of-ransomware-victims-have- data-stolen-before-they-can-even-detect-an-intrusion


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