The use of ransomware reached a new high in February in the UK. Ransomware, which is often used to extort money from victims, has become increasingly popular as more people turn to it for online banking and other services. Crypto-ransomware was universally reported in 99% of all cases in January and 100% in February, with small and medium-sized businesses worst affected, suffering more ransomware infections in February than the total number recorded from January to September 2015. The UK’s global share of ransomware rose from 1% at the end of 2014 to almost 5% in February 2016.
The use of ransomware reached a new high in February in the UK. Figures from TrendMicro show that the total number of infections for January and February 2016 more than tripled the amount for the first quarter of 2015. Crypto-ransomware was universally reported in 99% of all cases in January and 100% in February, with small and medium-sized businesses worst affected, suffering more ransomware infections in February than the total number recorded from January to September 2015. The UK’s global share of ransomware rose from 1% at the end of 2014 to almost 5% in February 2016.