In 2025, ransomware remains one of the most stringent and persistent forms of cyber threats, constantly evolving both in terms of complexity and consequences.
Even in the context of remarkable progress in the field of computer protection, organizations in all areas and of all dimensions are facing continuous attacks, characterized by more and more advanced methods. One of the latest worrying aspects in this continuous confrontation is the emergence of EDR Killers – malicious applications to disable Endpoint Detection and Response Solutions (Endpoint Detection and Response before launching Ransomware attack. According to ESET experts, this again demonstrates the ability of attackers to adapt quickly to the new defense measures, taking advantage of the existing breaches in the security infrastructure.
For more up-to-date information and recommendations on ransomware protection, ESET-Cyber Security Company no. 1 of the European Union – offers free for download a dedicated guide.
What is behind the ransomware attacks?
The motivation behind ransomware attacks is not limited only to obtaining material earnings. In many cases, they are also fueled by tactical or strategic objectives, belonging to the apt groups supported by state entities.
In a constantly changing cyber environment, the prevention of attacks becomes the most effective approach. Although the reaction to incidents and the restoration of compromised systems are essential, the prevention offers the advantage of reducing both operational interruptions and financial losses.
As we advance in 2025, it is essential for organizations to develop the ability to anticipate, block and counteract these threats before they become active. This involves the use of advanced remedial solutions, permanently available – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year.
What can we learn from 2024?
A major event of 2024 was the destruction of the Lockbit group, which previously dominated the Ransomware scene as the main supplier of the Ransomware-As-Service (RAAS). His disappearance left a considerable goal in this segment, a goal that was quickly occupied by other groups – especially Ransomhub, who noticed as the most efficient and aggressive among the new actors.
So far, Ransomhub has compromised data and encrypted information belonging to organizations from a variety of fields: IT, public services, health, public safety, nutrition, agriculture, financial, essential industry, transport and communications.
Even though the RAAS ecosystem is extremely competitive, Ransomhub seems to maintain its supremacy in 2025, due to its offensive strategies, how it controls the compromised networks, the ability to operate the vulnerabilities and attract the former Lockbit or Blackcat through attractive rewards and access to the tools.
How does the entire chain of the cyber attack work?
A ransomware attack is, in reality, the final stage of a series of malicious activities. It is often preceded by methods such as phishing, operating security breaches, raw force attacks, use of compromised passwords, downloader programs or personalized malware.
Most of these attacks can be identified and blocked in early stages. Only in cases where the defense is overcome and the encryption is successfully applied, can we talk about a complete ransomware attack. Therefore, the adoption of a security strategy in multiple layers, with automation and complete coverage of each stage of the life cycle, is essential. This type of approach, focused on prevention, is increasingly recognized as essential in the current environment.
ESET provides a detailed report that includes useful recommendations for strengthening organizational security and for the effective reaction if a ransomware attack manages to pass the defense measures. The report can be downloaded for free from here.
A constantly adapting threat
Ransomware continues to be an extremely dangerous form of cyber attack in 2025, with increasingly refined methods and with an increased level of sophistication. Lockbit disappearance and Ransomhub appear underline the accelerated dynamics of the RAAS market, and companies must adopt a proactive and stratified security approach to effectively counteract this threat.
ESET offers state -of -the -art digital security solutions, developed to anticipate and prevent computer attacks before they become real. The new functionality Ransomware Remediationintegrated into ESET solutions, is an owner technology that helps in the automatic restoration of encrypted files if the ransomware is detected in a subsequent stage of the attack, after the encryption process has already started. ESET security solutions are available at any time for free download and test and can be requested here.
By integrating human expertise with the power of artificial intelligence, ESET remains in the forefront of protection against emerging and already known cyber threats, ensuring the security of companies, critical infrastructures and individual users. Regardless of the type of protection required-endpoint, cloud or mobile-cloud-fired solutions, based on AI are both effective and easy to use. In completing real-time defense, 24/7, ESET also offers efficient localized support (including in Romania), actively engaging in researching the latest threats through its own R&D centers, including the one in Iași, and through an extended global network.
