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The previous six months have seen heightened activity regarding new and emerging ransomware operations. Across the tail end of 2024 and into 2025, researchers have seen the rise of groups such as FunkSec, Nitrogen,, and Termite. In addition, we have seen the return of Cl0p and a new version of LockBit (aka LockBit 4.0).

Within this period of accelerated activity, the Ransomware-as-a-Service offerings HellCat and Morpheus have gained additional momentum and notoriety. Operators behind HellCat, in

Cybersecurity researchers have reported that artificial intelligence (AI) assisted with ransomware called FunkSec, which entered the market in late 2024 and claimed more than 85 victims. "The group uses double extortion tactics, combining data theft with encryption to pressure victims into paying ransoms," Check Point Research said in a new report from The Hacker News. "Notably, FunkSec demanded unusually low ransoms, sometimes as little as $10,000, and sold stolen data to third parties at reduc