Ransomware Evolution: From Spray-and-Pray to Surgically Targeted Strikes

There has been a dramatic transformation in ransomware tactics over the past decade. They started as indiscriminate “spray-and-pray” campaigns. Now, the CyberFlow cybersecurity team has encountered sophisticated, surgically precise targeting methods. To face this growing threat, it is essential to understand ransomware evolution in order to adopt the right defences against increasingly sophisticated threats.

Let us take a trip down the history of ransomware attacks and learn how they evolved into such an advanced threat.

The Early Days: Spray-and-Pray Ransomware

In the early 2010s, ransomware scammers first started launching mass-scale attacks – such as WannaCry. Essentially, they were casting wide nets across the internet in hopes of ensnaring as many victims as possible. These early attacks were characterised by:

• Mass Distribution: Cybercriminals would send thousands of malicious emails or exploit popular vulnerabilities to infect as many systems as possible
• Low Ransom Demands: Typically requesting hundreds to low thousands of dollars per victim
• Generic Targeting: No specific industry focus or victim research
• Simple Encryption: Basic encryption methods that were sometimes recoverable

The spray-and-pray approach worked on the principle of quantity over quality. Even with low success rates, the sheer volume of attempts generated substantial profits for cybercriminal organisations.

The Shift to Targeted Operations

The rise in targeted ransomware reflects the next phase in the evolution of ransomware, which started in 2012. As cybersecurity defences improved and law enforcement pressure increased, ransomware operators began adopting more sophisticated approaches.

These approaches involved highly specific target selection: companies operating in strictly regulated industries and with a large annual turnover. This means that the victims cannot afford to ignore the scammers and have the available funds to pay for regaining control of their data.

Modern Ransomware: Surgical Precision in 2025

Today’s ransomware landscape represents a complete transformation from the early days of cybercrime. According to analysis from Cyble, U.S. ransomware attacks increased by 149% year over year in the first five weeks of 2025, with 378 reported incidents compared to 152 in 2024.

Key Characteristics of Modern Targeted Attacks

1. Extensive Reconnaissance Phase

Targeted ransomware attacks require careful planning. Cybercriminals take their time to learn about their victims during the social engineering reconnaissance phase.

2. Multi-Extortion Tactics

 Modern operators now employ:

• Data encryption
• Threat of data publication
• DDoS attacks against victims
• Harassment of customers and business partners

3. Cloud Environment Targeting

Attacks against cloud environments will become increasingly prevalent. With vast attack surfaces and increasing reliance on distributed systems, attackers are actively targeting businesses with encryption-based extortion schemes.

How Ransomware Spreads in the Modern Era

Understanding how ransomware spreads has become more complex as attack vectors have diversified. Today’s cybercriminals employ multiple infiltration methods:

Spear Phishing and Social Engineering

Targeted attacks require time and preparation, and offenders typically penetrate networks via spear-phishing or server vulnerabilities. Modern phishing campaigns are highly personalised, often impersonating trusted business contacts or vendors.

Vulnerability Exploitation

Recent examples highlight the impact of targeted vulnerability exploitation. Ransomware incidents rose sharply from only two cases in Q4 2024 to 154 in Q1 2025, mainly due to exploiting vulnerabilities in Cleo Managed File Transfer.

Supply Chain Attacks

Cybercriminals increasingly target software vendors and managed service providers to gain access to multiple downstream victims simultaneously.

Mobile Device Targeting

Criminals are now targeting mobile devices with specific malware to gain remote access, steal login credentials, or deploy ransomware. Personal devices tend to have less stringent security measures.

Ransomware Detection: Evolving Defence Strategies

Effective ransomware detection requires understanding how attack patterns have evolved. Companies must adapt their security strategies to address modern threats:

Behavioural Analysis

Traditional signature-based detection fails against modern ransomware. Because ransomware files slightly morph with each new version — and new versions are created by the minute — these solutions have little chance of preventing an infection.

Network Monitoring

Monitoring for unusual network activity, data exfiltration patterns, and lateral movement can help identify ransomware operations before encryption begins.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Modern EDR solutions focus on detecting the TTPs used in targeted ransomware campaigns rather than relying solely on malware signatures.

Stay Safe Against Evolving Ransomware Threats with CyberFlow!

As cybercriminals continue to adapt and evolve their tactics, cybersecurity professionals must remain vigilant and proactive. The shift from quantity to quality in ransomware evolution means that every organisation, regardless of size, could become a target.

At CyberFlow, we help companies defend against evolving ransomware threats. Our comprehensive cybersecurity solutions are designed to detect, prevent, and respond to the most sophisticated attacks. Contact us before the next cybercriminal holds your data hostage!