New data from Comparitech disclosed a record 997 ransomware attacks worldwide in August 2026, averaging 32 attacks per day and representing a 23% increase from 809 attacks in July. The total surpassed the previous monthly record of 988 attacks recorded in February 2025. Businesses accounted for 861 attacks, up 24% from July, while ransomware incidents targeting healthcare providers rose 30% to 69. Utility companies recorded the sharpest sector increase, with attacks doubling from five in July to 10 in August.

Ransomware surge was led by Qilin and The Gentlemen, which together accounted for more than 26% of August’s attacks, with Qilin claiming 157 incidents and The Gentlemen 107. Qilin’s attack claims increased 22% during the month, while The Gentlemen’s declined 21%; Qilin also had 12 confirmed attacks, compared with eight for The Gentlemen.

Comparitech recorded 23% more attacks against manufacturers in August, with 12 confirmed incidents, while attacks against retailers increased 30%. Clop recorded the largest increase in claims, adding 45 victims to its site compared with one in July, with the attacks linked to exploitation of the PTC Windchill vulnerability.

“The healthcare sector saw a 30 percent increase in attacks, but utility companies saw the biggest spike,” Rebecca Moody, head of data research at Comparitech, wrote in a company blog post. “Here, attacks doubled, rising from five in July to 10 in August. Law firms (up 52%), tech companies (up 42%), and finance companies (up 40%) also saw significant increases. https://industrialcyber.co/ransomware/global-ransomware-attacks-hit-record-997-in-august-2026-as-utility-healthcare-and-business-attacks-surge/Education (down 4%) and the food and beverage sector (down 5%) were the only areas to see ransomware attacks decrease.”   Read On: