Ransomware attacks rose by nearly 20% in July, according to Comparitech, despite attention on AI-related security risks and separate cyberattacks on US water infrastructure. The increase highlights that established cybercriminal threats remain significant, particularly for organisations in sectors seen as more likely to pay ransoms.

Comparitech recorded 799 incidents in July, up from 668 in June and narrowly below March’s 805, with 51 attacks confirmed by victims. Finance, technology, pharmaceutical and medical-billing firms, and education providers saw the largest increases, while attacks on utilities, legal firms and government bodies fell. The US accounted for 322 incidents, and the Qilin and The Gentlemen groups together claimed almost a third of victims.