There are several factors contributing to Europe’s rising infection rate, including the spillover from the war in Ukraine
The ransomware infection rate in Europe is now three to four times higher than in the United States, according to a new cybersecurity threat report, which warns that this trend should be a “wake-up call” for American organizations. The report suggests that new, more aggressive ransomware tactics are being perfected abroad before being deployed on a wider scale.
The analysis, which studied threat data across millions of digital endpoints, found that Europe has become one of the riskiest regions in the world for malware and ransomware. The findings suggest that while many US businesses still rely on basic security controls and strong data backups, that mindset may soon be put to the test.
There are several factors contributing to Europe’s rising infection rate, including the spillover from the war in Ukraine. The report states that pro-Russian hacktivist groups—including ideological militias and ransomware-as-a-service affiliates—have launched sustained attacks on European targets, including critical infrastructure, airports, and government networks.
These attackers are no longer hesitant to hit civilian sectors, and the volume of attacks shows it. The report found a 28.5 per cent spike in malware infections on business computers over the past year.2 These breaches frequently exploit fundamental oversights such as unpatched systems, exposed remote desktop ports, outdated firewalls, and sloppy credential hygiene.
The report notes a significant evolution in ransomware tactics. Attackers have learned that simply encrypting data is no longer enough to force a ransom payment, especially when victims have reliable backups. As a result, they are pivoting to new forms of leverage.
Ransomware groups are now focusing on data exfiltration, public extortion, and even direct outreach to a victim’s customers and partners to create reputational damage. The report’s data shows that nearly half of all ransomware victims pay the ransom, even when they have backups, because the cost of public embarrassment is often considered worse than operational downtime.4 This focus on “reputational fallout” has exposed a new vulnerability for companies that have built a recovery muscle but not a transparent resilience strategy.
The report outlines three critical imperatives for American organizations based on Europe’s current struggles.
Patch ruthlessly: Most ransomware breaches in 2024 stemmed from unpatched vulnerabilities. Ransomware-as-a-service groups are automating scans for known flaws, making a real-time vulnerability management program essential.
Prepare for exposure: Backups are vital, but they won’t shield a brand from extortion. The report recommends building plans that prioritize transparency and have playbooks ready for clear, timely communication with customers, partners, and regulators. This approach helps strip attackers of their leverage and fosters greater trust.
Don’t assume you’re too small or too secure: The research found that small and midsize businesses reported more ransomware incidents than large enterprises. Many attacks also originate through supply chains, meaning a strong perimeter can be undermined by a weak link in a vendor network.
The report’s final warning is clear: as long as ransomware remains profitable and reputational risk drives payments, attackers will continue to evolve. Europe’s current struggle is seen as a preview of tomorrow’s American reality unless companies adopt proactive security measures, layered defenses, and a transparent incident response strategy.