While ransomware has been around for decades, its prevalence has exploded in the last few years. These attacks used to be perpetrated by individuals; now, they’re launched by networked groups of affiliates who buy and sell each other’s specialized skills and toolkits. Attacks were once unfocused and one-dimensional; now, they use targeted, multilayered tactics that are much harder to defend against and command much higher ransoms. Ransomware is expected to cause $42 billion in damages by the end of 2024.