Key Findings  The Gentlemen ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation has claimed over 320 victims since mid-2025, with 240 attacks occurring in 2026 alone, making it the #2 most active ransomware group by victim count so far this year  Check Point Research gained rare access to a live command-and-control server linked to a Gentlemen affiliate, revealing a botnet of over 1,570 likely corporate victims, surpassing the group’s own publicly claimed numbers.  The group deliberately targets internet-facing devices (VPNs, firewalls) as their entry point, and once inside, moves quickly to encrypt entire networks within hours  Manufacturing and technology are the most frequently targeted sectors, with healthcare a growing third target — a […]

The post The Gentlemen: A New Ransomware Threat Climbing the Charts — Fast appeared first on Check Point Blog.

In Q1 2026, Microsoft continued to be the most impersonated brand in phishing attacks, accounting for 22% of all brand impersonation attempts, according to data from Check Point Research (CPR). The results reinforce a long‑standing trend: attackers consistently exploit highly trusted brands to steal credentials and gain initial access to personal and enterprise environments. Apple climbed to second place with 11%, reflecting attackers’ increasing focus on consumer ecosystems tied to payments, identity, and personal devices. Google followed closely in third place at 9%, while Amazon ranked fourth with 7%. LinkedIn rose to fifth place with 6%, highlighting sustained attacker interest […]

The post The Phishing Paradox: The World’s Most Trusted Brands Are Cyber Criminals’ Entry Point of Choice appeared first on Check Point Blog.

Global Attack Volumes Begin to Moderate  In March 2026, global cyber attack activity showed early signs of moderation while remaining at historically elevated levels. The average number of weekly cyber-attacks per organization reached 1,995, representing a 4% decrease month over month and a 5% decline compared to March 2025.   Despite this easing, the overall threat environment remains intense. Nearly 2,000 weekly attacks per organization continue to reflect sustained adversary pressure, driven by automation, broad attack surface expansion, and persistent exposure risks tied to cloud adoption and GenAI usage. Check Point Research data indicates that while short term fluctuations are emerging, cyber threats have not returned to pre-surge baselines and remain a constant operational reality for organizations worldwide.  Critical Sectors Continue to Face […]

The post March 2026 Cyber Threat Landscape Shows No Relief as Ransomware Rebounds and GenAI Risks Intensify appeared first on Check Point Blog.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 concurred that cyber risk is increasingly driven by operational complexity rather than lack of technology. As security environments expand, many organizations struggle with hands‑on skill gaps, slow issue resolution, and training that does not reflect how their environments de-facto operate. The result: higher operational risk – even in well‑equipped organizations.  To address these challenges, Check Point Services offers PS Private Training (Custom ILT): a tailored, instructor‑led program designed to strengthen operational mastery in real environments. The service replaces one‑size‑fits‑all instruction with customized training, hands‑on labs, and field‑proven best practices delivered by active Professional Services consultants, enabling […]

The post PS Private Training: Turning Cyber Complexity into Operational Control appeared first on Check Point Blog.