Ransomware in Latin America: Statistics, Trends, and How to Protect Yourself
Ransomware is not a new threat. But what is happening in Latin America in 2025 and 2026 is unprecedented: a 259% increase in ransomware attacks in the region, as documented by SonicWall, with increasingly sophisticated criminal groups combining data encryption with data exfiltration and multiple extortion attempts.
This article analyzes the current state of ransomware in Latin America, the sectors most affected, the tactics used by attackers, and the specific measures organizations should implement to protect themselves.
The figures that paint the picture
The numbers tell a clear story. Intel 471 recorded an increase from more than 250 documented attacks in 2024 to more than 450 in 2025 in the region. The number of active ransomware variants rose from 48 to 79, with groups such as Qilin, Akira, and Inc among the most disruptive.
Brazil accounts for approximately 30% of the identified victims, followed by Mexico (14%) and Argentina (13%). The sectors most frequently targeted are consumer and industrial goods, energy and resources, and professional services. In terms of impact by industry, retail and distribution lead the way, followed by agriculture and food, and healthcare providers.
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), the situation is even more concerning: 82% of ransomware attacks target companies with fewer than 1,000 employees. Attackers know that these companies have fewer defenses, less capacity to respond, and are more likely to pay.
The Evolution: From Simple Encryption to Double and Triple Extortion
Traditional ransomware would encrypt the victim's data and demand a payment to unlock it. Organizations with good backups could restore their systems without paying. The attackers adapted.
Double extortion adds a second threat: before encrypting your data, the attackers extract sensitive information and threaten to publish it if you don’t pay. This negates the protection provided by backups: even if you restore your systems, your confidential data remains in the attacker’s hands.
Triple extortion is escalating even further: attackers directly contact customers, partners, or employees whose data has been stolen, pressuring them to demand that the victim company pay up. They may also launch DDoS attacks against the victim’s infrastructure to increase the pressure.
How Ransomware Gets In
Understanding the attack vectors is essential for prevention. The three main mechanisms are phishing (emails containing malicious links or attachments that trick users into executing the payload), vulnerability exploitation (unpatched systems that expose known entry points), and compromised credentials (stolen or leaked passwords that allow direct access to critical systems).
In Latin America, where legacy systems are common, patching cycles are long, and MFA adoption is low, all three attack vectors are widely available to attackers.
Defense Strategy: The 5 Essential Layers
Endpoint protection: EDR with behavioral analysis and automated response capabilities on every device. It is the last line of defense if ransomware infects a computer.
Email Security: Advanced filtering with AI analysis that detects and blocks phishing attempts before they reach the inbox.
Identity and Access Management: Phishing-resistant MFA , conditional access policies, and monitoring of compromised credentials.
Unalterable backups: Backups that cannot be modified or deleted by ransomware, with periodic restore tests.
Incident Response Plan: Documented protocols , defined roles, and regular drills so your team knows exactly what to do when an incident occurs.
Conclusion
Ransomware in Latin America is not on the decline—it is accelerating, becoming more sophisticated, and diversifying. Organizations that do not implement proactive defenses today will be tomorrow’s victims. Prevention does not eliminate the risk entirely, but it drastically reduces the likelihood of a successful attack and, when one does occur, minimizes the impact.
Pint Solutions designs ransomware protection strategies tailored to the Latin American context. If you’d like to assess your current level of exposure, we can conduct a no-obligation risk assessment.