AI & Cyberthreats: 36K Scans/Second Surge
- Artificial intelligence is driving a dramatic rise in cyberattacks, according to new research.
- The research also revealed a staggering 500% increase in available logs from compromised systems.
- Cybercriminals are actively exploiting these compromised credentials,with a 42% increase observed in credentials for sale.
AI is supercharging cyberattacks, with global scanning activity hitting a staggering 36,000 scans every second, signaling an alarming rise in digital threats. This surge, revealed in new research, shows a 16.7% year-over-year increase, as threat actors aggressively exploit vulnerable digital assets. The U.S. is the primary target for these ransomware attacks,accounting for a huge 61% of incidents. The availability of compromised system logs has also spiked—a huge 500% increase—leading to over 1.7 billion stolen credentials now circulating on the dark web. News Directory 3 is tracking these escalating threats. Discover what’s next in this ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, where proactive, AI-driven strategies are crucial to staying ahead.
AI Fuels Cyberattack Surge, U.S. top Ransomware target
Updated May 31, 2025
Artificial intelligence is driving a dramatic rise in cyberattacks, according to new research. Automated scanning activity has jumped 16.7% year-over-year, with 36,000 scans recorded globally each second. The study indicates that threat actors are targeting vulnerable digital assets, including Remote Desktop Protocol, IoT systems, and Session Initiation Protocols, earlier in the attack lifecycle.
The research also revealed a staggering 500% increase in available logs from compromised systems. This means over 1.7 billion stolen credentials are now circulating on the dark web. This flood of stolen data has led to a sharp increase in targeted cyberattacks against businesses and individuals.
Cybercriminals are actively exploiting these compromised credentials,with a 42% increase observed in credentials for sale. While zero-day attacks account for a small percentage of threats, attackers are increasingly using “live off the land” vulnerabilities to remain undetected.
The Ransomware-as-a-Service landscape is expanding, with new groups emerging and established players solidifying their positions. Ransomhub led in 2024, claiming 13% of victims, followed by LockBit 3.0 (12%), Play (8%), and Medusa (4%).
The United States is the primary target for ransomware attacks, accounting for 61% of incidents. The United Kingdom follows at 6%, and Canada at 5%, highlighting a clear trend targeting American organizations.
“Our 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report makes it clear: cybercriminals are scaling faster than ever, using AI and automation to gain the upper hand,” saeid derek Manky, chief security strategist at FortiGuard Labs.
“Defenders must abandon outdated security playbooks and transition to proactive, intelligence-driven strategies that incorporate AI, zero trust architectures, and continuous threat exposure management,” Manky added.
What’s next
organizations must prioritize proactive, AI-driven cybersecurity strategies to combat the escalating threat landscape. Continuous threat exposure management and zero trust architectures are essential for mitigating risks.