Cyber-hacking victims ‘paid out record $1.1bn in ransoms last year‘

Payments to criminal gangs in the wake of hacking attacks doubled compared with 2022, Chainalysis found. Photograph: Andrew Brookes/Getty Images/Image Source

Ransomware gangs staged a “major comeback” last year, according to research, with victims of hacking attacks paying out a record $1.1bn to assailants.

Cyber criminals stepped up their global operations in 2023 after a lull in 2022, with victims including hospitals, schools and major corporations.