North America Is Biggest Ransomware Target, Chainalysis Says

North America has been extorted for the most money by ransomware attackers of any region -- and the groups targeting it tend to be associated with Russia-based cybercriminal groups, according to a new report.

Users in the region paid $131 million in cryptocurrency to ransomware attackers between July 2020 and June 2021, according to a report from Chainalysis Inc., crypto-forensics firm. That’s more than double the amount sent from Western Europe, which paid the second-most.

“Ransomware strains that took the most from North American victims during the time period studied include NetWalker, Egregor, Phoenix Cryptolocker, and Doppelpaymer,” Chainalysis said, ...