Every 11 seconds, another organization falls victim to a ransomware attack. That’s not just a number – it’s a wake-up call.

Recent ransomware statistics paint an alarming picture of our digital vulnerability. From AI-powered phishing campaigns to sophisticated IoT exploits, cybercriminals are constantly evolving their infection methods. Understanding these attack vectors isn’t just about statistics – it’s about survival in our increasingly connected world. Let’s examine the seven most critical infection methods you need to watch in 2025, backed by data that might change how you think about your security strategy.

AI-Powered Phishing Campaigns

The rise of AI-powered phishing campaigns marks a significant shift in ransomware attack methods. Recent data shows that 67.4% of all phishing attacks now utilize some form of AI ^[1], representing a dramatic evolution in threat sophistication.

AI Phishing Statistics

The impact of AI on phishing campaigns has been staggering, with a 135% increase in malicious email campaigns showing advanced linguistic capabilities in early 2023 ^[1]. More concerning is that 97% of employees struggle to recognize sophisticated phishing attacks without proper security training ^[2].

Notable AI based Phishing incidents 2024 include:

1. SweetSpecter Campaign: A China-based group, SweetSpecter, targeted employees of OpenAI with phishing emails containing the SugarGh0st Remote Access Trojan (RAT). The attackers aimed to infiltrate systems and extract sensitive information.
2. AI-Enhanced Phishing Kits: Cybercriminals deployed AI-powered phishing kits capable of real-time adaptation based on user interactions. If initial attempts failed, the AI would modify its approach, employing various social engineering techniques to deceive victims.
3. Credential Phishing Surge: Reports indicated a significant rise in credential phishing attacks, with an eightfold increase observed in the latter half of 2024. AI tools enabled attackers to craft more convincing and personalized phishing messages, enhancing the success rate of these campaigns.
4. Deepfake Phishing Scams: The use of AI-generated deepfake technology became prevalent in phishing scams. Attackers created realistic fake videos and audio to impersonate trusted individuals, leading to fraudulent schemes and financial losses.
5. AI-Driven ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams: In Southeast Asia, investment scams known as “pig butchering” evolved with the incorporation of generative AI and deepfakes. These technologies facilitated the creation of convincing fake identities and communications, making the scams more effective and harder to detect.

Machine Learning Attack Patterns

Machine learning has transformed how attackers operate, enabling them to:

• Generate thousands of personalized phishing emails in minutes
• Create convincing replicas of legitimate websites
• Automate attack processes for maximum efficiency

The effectiveness of these AI-powered attacks is evident, with 60% of participants falling victim to AI-automated phishing ^[3], matching the success rates of human-crafted attacks.

AI-Enhanced Social Engineering

Social engineering has reached new levels of sophistication through AI integration. In a notable case, fraudsters used AI-generated video and audio in Hong Kong to impersonate company executives, successfully stealing nearly $30 million ^[1]. The threat has become so prevalent that 53% of accounting professionals reported being targeted with deepfake AI attacks in the past year ^[1].

The evolution continues at an alarming pace, with 40% of Business Email Compromise (BEC) emails now being completely AI-generated ^[1]. These attacks have seen a 3,000% increase in 2023 ^[4], driven by advances in generative AI technology and voice cloning capabilities that can create convincing impersonations from just a three-second voice sample.

Compromised Credentials and Password Attacks

Stolen credentials have emerged as the gateway to devastating ransomware attacks, with compromised passwords playing a role in almost every major IT security incident ^[5]. The human element remains a critical vulnerability, contributing to 68% of all data breaches ^[6].

Password Attack Statistics

The financial impact of credential-based attacks is staggering. Organizations face an average loss of $1.82 million to recover from ransomware attacks ^[7], with some ransom demands reaching up to $50 million ^[7]. Key vulnerability points include:

• 90% of cyber incidents stem from human error ^[6]
• 25% of business email compromise attacks target organizations without MFA ^[6]
• 70% of organizations face business email compromise attempts ^[6]

Credential Stuffing Trends

Credential stuffing has become increasingly sophisticated, with over 20 billion username and password combinations available on the dark web ^[8]. The volume of compromised credentials has surged by 65% since 2020 ^[8], enabling attackers to automate unauthorized access attempts across multiple platforms.

Notable credentials stuffing incidents 2024 include:

1. Roku Credential Stuffing Attacks: Roku, a prominent streaming service, experienced two major credential stuffing attacks in 2024. The first attack in March compromised approximately 15,000 accounts, while a subsequent attack in April affected an additional 576,000 accounts. These breaches were facilitated by login credentials obtained from unrelated third-party sources, likely acquired through darknet marketplaces. In response, Roku reset passwords for all affected accounts and implemented two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance security.
2. Okta’s Customer Identity Cloud Attack: In April 2024, Okta detected suspicious activity targeting its Customer Identity Cloud (CIC) authentication system. Attackers employed credential stuffing techniques, using compromised login credentials to attempt unauthorized access to multiple endpoints. Okta notified affected customers and provided guidance on mitigating the attack’s effects, including recommendations to adopt passkeys for more secure authentication.
3. General Motors Account Breach: In May 2024, General Motors (GM) reported unauthorized access to 65 customer accounts. Attackers utilized login credentials likely obtained from previous data leaks and available on the darknet to execute a credential stuffing attack, enabling unauthorized purchases of GM accessories and products.
4. Levi’s Credential Stuffing Incident: In June 2024, clothing retailer Levi’s experienced a credential stuffing attack affecting over 72,000 customer accounts. Cybercriminals used bots and compromised login credentials, possibly sourced from darknet forums, to gain unauthorized access. Levi’s responded promptly by enforcing password resets for all impacted accounts.
5. Massive Password Compilation – RockYou2024: In July 2024, security researchers uncovered a massive database, dubbed “RockYou2024,” containing nearly 10 billion leaked passwords. This compilation, circulating on darknet forums, significantly heightened the risk of credential stuffing attacks, as cybercriminals could exploit these credentials to gain unauthorized access to various online accounts.

Access Management Solutions

Organizations are strengthening their defenses through robust access management strategies. Only 43% of organizations that suffered ransomware attacks had MFA in place ^[8], highlighting a critical security gap. The shift toward stronger authentication methods is showing promise, with MFA implementation reducing account compromise risks by 99.9% ^[4]. However, 49% of breaches still involve stolen credentials ^[10], emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and improved security measures.

IoT Device Exploitation

Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become prime targets for ransomware attacks, with a staggering 400% increase in malware attacks year-over-year ^[11]. The scale of this threat is unprecedented, as U.S. homes now face an average of eight attacks every 24 hours against their connected devices ^[12].

IoT Device Infection Statistics

The manufacturing sector bears the heaviest burden, accounting for 54.5% of all IoT malware attacks and experiencing an average of 6,000 weekly attacks across monitored devices ^[13]. The education sector has seen an alarming 961% surge in IoT malware attacks ^[13], highlighting the expanding scope of these threats.

Key attack statistics:

• Mirai and Gafgyt botnets dominate the landscape, responsible for 66% of all attack payloads ^[11]
• 96% of IoT malware originates from compromised devices in the United States ^[13]
• Mexico experiences the highest infection rate at 46% of all IoT malware infections ^[13]

Connected Device Vulnerabilities

The vulnerability landscape is particularly concerning as cybercriminals target legacy systems, with 34 of the 39 most popular IoT exploits specifically targeting vulnerabilities that have existed for over three years ^[11]. Many IoT devices lack traditional operating systems or sufficient memory for security features ^[14], creating perfect storm conditions for attackers.

The Colonial Pipeline incident demonstrated how IoT ransomware can disrupt critical infrastructure, causing fuel shortages across multiple states despite the malware not directly infecting industrial systems ^[2]. This highlights why 93% of organizations now report challenges in securing their IoT and connected products ^[15].

Mobile Device Attack Vectors

Mobile devices have become the new frontier for ransomware attacks, with financial threats showing an alarming 102% increase globally in 2024 compared to the previous year ^[16]. This surge reflects a strategic shift as cybercriminals increasingly target smartphones over traditional computing platforms.

Mobile Malware Statistics

Android devices face the greatest risk, accounting for 98% of all mobile malware targets ^[17]. The threat landscape has evolved dramatically, with double extortion tactics becoming increasingly common ^[9]. Attackers now not only encrypt data but also threaten to release stolen information, creating multiple pressure points for victims.

App-Based Attack Methods

The primary infection vectors for mobile ransomware include:

• Downloading infected apps from third-party stores ^[18]
• Malicious text messages containing dangerous links ^[18]
• Drive-by downloads from compromised websites ^[3]
• Fake banking apps using overlay attacks ^[19]

The sophistication of these attacks has increased, with 71% of employees now using smartphones for work tasks ^[19], creating new vulnerabilities in corporate networks. Mobile banking Trojans have shown particular growth, with attacks doubling in the past year ^[3].

USB and Removable Media Infections

The landscape of USB-based threats has shifted dramatically, with Mandiant reporting a threefold increase in attacks using infected USB drives in the first half of 2023 ^[20]. These physical media attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting both public and private sectors globally.

Physical Media Attack Statistics

The surge in USB-based attacks presents a clear danger, with 52% of malware specifically designed to exploit USB or propagate over USB ^[21]. Industrial environments face particular risks, as 82% of USB-based malware can disrupt critical operations ^[22]. The threat extends beyond data theft, with 51% of malware attacks designed to establish remote access capabilities ^[22].

USB Drive Threat Trends

Current trends show an alarming evolution in attack sophistication:

• 31% of malware specifically targets industrial systems ^[22]
• 79% of USB-based threats cause widespread disruption to business operations ^[21]
• 51% of detected threats attempt to establish silent system residency ^[22]

The risk is particularly acute in industrial settings, where USB devices serve as a common entry point into operational technology networks ^[23]. Recent incidents highlight this vulnerability, including a significant breach where an employee’s USB device was compromised at a local print shop, leading to a security incident at a federal agency ^[24].

The threat landscape continues to evolve, with attackers increasingly using USB devices for targeted campaigns. 51% of malware attacks now specifically target USB devices ^[22], representing a nearly six-fold increase from previous years.

Insider Threat Vectors

While external threats dominate headlines, internal vulnerabilities pose an equally serious ransomware risk. Recent studies reveal that insider threats cost organizations an average of $16.20 million annually ^[25], with incidents taking 86 days to contain ^[26].

Insider Attack Statistics

The scope of insider threats is staggering, with 74% of all breaches involving the human element ^[27]. More concerning, 61% of organizations experienced an insider attack in the past year ^[6], with 22% reporting six or more incidents ^[6]. The financial impact is severe, with 32% of organizations spending between $100,000 and $2 million on incident remediation ^[6].

Employee Risk Factors

Employee behavior remains a critical vulnerability, with several key risk factors:

• 51% of non-IT employees show no concern about potentially causing ransomware infections ^[28]
• 63% of employees would open suspicious emails from apparent colleagues ^[28]
• 60% would open questionable emails about employer benefits ^[28]

The threat landscape continues to evolve, with 50% of businesses finding it harder to detect insider threats after migrating to cloud services ^[6]. This challenge is compounded by the fact that 82% of organizations lack visibility into file-sharing activities on personal devices ^[6].

Misconfigured Cloud Services

Cloud security breaches have reached unprecedented levels, with misconfigurations accounting for 15% of initial attack vectors in security incidents ^[29]. These preventable errors now represent the third most common entry point for ransomware attacks.

Cloud Misconfiguration Statistics

The impact of cloud security failures is staggering, with more than 80% of data breaches involving cloud-stored data ^[30]. Organizations face significant financial consequences, with misconfiguration-related breaches costing an average of $3.86 million ^[29]. Most concerning is that only 31% of S3 buckets have versioning enabled ^[4], leaving critical data vulnerable to ransomware attacks.

Common Setup Errors

Critical misconfiguration vulnerabilities include:

• Overly permissive access controls on cloud storage
• Improperly configured virtual network segmentation
• Inadequate encryption settings
• Poor management of access keys and secrets ^[31]

These setup errors often persist for extended periods, taking an average of 186 days to identify and 65 days to resolve ^[29].

Recent data shows that 82% of companies report an expanding gap between cloud exposures and their ability to manage them ^[33]. This challenge is compounded by the fact that 43% of cybersecurity professionals cite a lack of qualified staff as their biggest obstacle in protecting cloud workloads ^[33].

Conclusion

Ransomware attack methods continue to evolve at an alarming pace across all vectors. Organizations face sophisticated AI-powered phishing campaigns, credential theft, IoT exploitation, mobile attacks, USB-based threats, insider risks, and cloud vulnerabilities – often simultaneously.

Statistics paint a clear picture: with phishing success rates reaching 60%, IoT attacks increasing by 400%, and cloud breaches costing $3.86 million on average, traditional security approaches no longer suffice. Organizations must adopt comprehensive security strategies that address these seven critical infection methods.

References

[1] – https://www.forbes.com/sites/frankmckenna/2024/12/16/5-ai-scams-set-to-surge-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know/
[2] – https://www.office1.com/blog/malware-and-ransomware-protection-for-iot
[3] – https://us.norton.com/blog/mobile/what-is-mobile-ransomware
[4] – https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/prisma-cloud/ransomware-data-protection-cloud/
[5] – https://www.beyondtrust.com/solutions/ransomware
[6] – https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/businessinsights/61-of-companies-have-suffered-an-insider-attack-in-the-past-year
[7] – https://bitwarden.com/blog/how-password-security-best-practices-safeguard-against-ransomware/
[8] – https://arcticwolf.com/resources/blog/four-ways-to-prevent-credential-theft-and-credential-based-attacks/
[9] – https://www.cisa.gov/stopransomware/ransomware-guide
[10] – https://agileblue.com/best-strategies-to-protect-against-credential-theft-and-credential-based-attacks/
[11] – https://ir.zscaler.com/news-releases/news-release-details/zscaler-threatlabz-finds-400-increase-iot-and-ot-malware-attacks
[12] – https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/How-to-protect-your-organization-from-IoT-malware
[13] – https://www.industrialcybersecuritypulse.com/it-ot/new-threat-report-finds-a-400-increase-in-iot-and-ot-malware-attacks/
[14] – https://www.fortinet.com/blog/industry-trends/examining-top-iot-security-threats-and-attack-vectors
[15] – https://venturebeat.com/security/defending-against-iot-ransomware-attacks-in-a-zero-trust-world/
[16] – https://www.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/kaspersky-predicts-quantum-proof-ransomware-and-advancements-in-mobile-financial-cyberthreats-in-2025
[17] – https://www.indusface.com/blog/key-cybersecurity-statistics/
[18] – https://success.trendmicro.com/en-US/solution/KA-0006431
[19] – https://spycloud.com/blog/rise-of-mobile-malware/
[20] – https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/infected-usb-steal-secrets/
[21] – https://purplesec.us/learn/common-ways-ransomware-spreads/
[22] – https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/news/2024/04/cybersecurity-in-2024-usb-devices-continue-to-pose-major-threat
[23] – https://industrialcyber.co/news/honeywells-2024-usb-threat-report-reveals-significant-rise-in-malware-frequency-highlighting-growing-concerns/
[24] – https://redmondmag.com/Articles/2024/09/17/USB-Security-Attacks-Are-Still-a-Threat.aspx
[25] – https://www.aon.com/en/insights/articles/mitigating-insider-threats-your-worst-cyber-threats-could-be-coming-from-inside?collection=3ab7b09b-e783-4c99-b960-0be73fb4fa49
[26] – https://www.cybersecurity-insiders.com/2024-insider-threat-report/
[27] – https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/How-to-train-employees-to-avoid-ransomware
[28] – https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/08/12/the-ransomware-risk-remains-employee-awareness-among-other-things-is-key/
[29] – https://www.strongdm.com/blog/cloud-security-statistics
[30] – https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/mit-report-details-new-cybersecurity-risks
[31] – https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/common-cloud-security-misconfigurations/
[32] – https://www.aquasec.com/cloud-native-academy/cspm/cloud-security-tools/
[33] – https://www.stationx.net/cloud-security-statistics/