DarkBlue Intelligence Suite / The Rise of Political Ransomware: How Digital Extortion

February 14, 2025

The Rise of Political Ransomware: How Digital Extortion Has Become a Global Threat

Ransomware attacks have reached alarming levels, with CACI analysts tracking over 100 active ransomware groups, many of which have deep ties to Russian cybercrime communities. This surge is linked to a larger trend: failed ransomware operations that are merging to form new, more sophisticated syndicates. As these syndicates evolve, the problem is expected to intensify, making ransomware and digital extortion one of the most significant cybersecurity challenges of the coming years.

New threats emerging

One of the most concerning developments in ransomware this year has been the rise of new groups born from the collapse or failure of older operations. A prime example is the Termite ransomware group, which claimed responsibility for a high-profile attack on Blue Yonder, a key provider of technology infrastructure for global payment systems. This attack disrupted large companies, including coffee giant Starbucks, sending shockwaves through the business world. Despite the scale of the attack, Blue Yonder initially denied it had been targeted, a strategy often used to protect a company’s reputation and minimize customer panic.

What makes Termite's actions so troubling is that it is believed to be a new iteration of a previous group, formed from the remnants of older ransomware operations. These evolving groups are not just targeting individual companies but are instead attacking critical infrastructure on a massive scale. The Termite attack underscores a broader pattern: ransomware actors are no longer simply exploiting vulnerabilities in small businesses but are now focused on major players in the global economy, with devastating consequences.

One of the key reasons for this surge is the ease with which these groups can infiltrate digital infrastructure. With automated tools, often powered by AI, and access to a vast black market of cybercrime services, launching a successful attack has become easier than ever before. As a result, even smaller, less sophisticated groups can achieve high levels of disruption.

Nation-state bankrolling

A significant portion of these ransomware groups operate under the guidance of nation-states, particularly those with anti-Western agendas. Approximately 80% of hacktivist and ransomware groups are believed to have ties to countries such as Russia, China, North Korea, and, to a lesser extent, Japan. These nation-states often do not directly execute the attacks but provide the resources, infrastructure, and sometimes even the ideological backing for the hackers.

Russia, for example, has long been associated with ransomware operations and is believed to be behind the majority of cyberattacks targeting Western countries. China, on the other hand, has been revealed as the culprit behind a significant number of telecom breaches, often using ransomware as a tool for espionage. North Korea’s involvement in ransomware has been particularly worrying, as evidenced by the recent wave of cyberattacks that prompted South Korea's president to declare martial law, citing the country's vulnerability to large-scale digital extortion campaigns.

The future of cybersecurity: Monitoring the dark web

As cybercrime continues to escalate at unprecedented levels, powered by AI and supported by nation- states, cybersecurity professionals must adapt to meet the growing threat. Ransomware and digital extortion are no longer just a nuisance for businesses but a global crisis with far-reaching implications for national security, economic stability, and personal privacy.

One of the most important tools in combating this surge will be enhanced dark web monitoring. The dark web remains a hotbed for the sale of ransomware-as-a-service, stolen data, and hacking tools, making it a key target for intelligence gathering. As ransomware evolves, so too must the strategies to counter it—making vigilant monitoring of dark web activities and innovative defense mechanisms critical to the fight against cybercrime in 2025 and beyond. Organizations should consider leveraging platforms like DarkBlue Intelligence Suite to enhance their threat intelligence capabilities, monitor emerging cyber threats, and stay ahead of ransomware groups operating in the shadows.

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