Ransomware and nation state-backed cyber attacks on the rise, Microsoft warns

Microsoft said it was seeing operations linked to China favouring AI-generated imagery, while Russia-linked operations preferred audio-based content. File Picture: PA

Financially motivated cybercrime and fraud, in particular ransomware attacks, have risen over the last year and remain a “persistent threat”, Microsoft has said.

The technology giant’s annual Microsoft Digital Defence report said it had seen the number of ransomware attacks more than double over the last 12 months.