Ransomware attacks rise globally with Germany among top targets

Ransomware attacks saw a global increase in the first half of 2026, with 4,641 claimed attacks compared to 4,381 in the previous year. The Qilin, The Gentlemen, and Akira groups were identified as the most prevalent ransomware families worldwide.

The United States remains the primary target with 1,989 attacks. Germany ranks fourth globally with 176 claimed attacks, following the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the DACH region, Switzerland and Austria recorded 35 and 29 victims, respectively. In Germany, the most affected sectors include production, construction, technology, finance, and healthcare, with retail also appearing as a significant target.

On August 15, 2026, the Qilin ransomware group added several victims to its leak site, including Ferrari Mangimi Srl in the agriculture and food sector. Two additional companies, ASCII Group and Jone Precision, were listed within seconds of each other, suggesting a highly automated or strictly coordinated publication process by the cybercriminals.