In a significant shift within the cyber threat landscape, the focus of attackers is moving from disruptive ransomware to more subtle, long-term infiltration strategies. The latest Red Report 2026 by Picus Labs, which analyzed over 1.1 million malicious files and documented 15.5 million adversarial actions in 2025, highlights how cybercriminals are now prioritizing sustained and unseen access.
While ransomware remains a persistent threat, its role is evolving. Attackers are increasingly abandoning overt tactics in favor of techniques designed to evade detection and exploit systems invisibly. This emerging trend is likened to a ‘Digital Parasite’ approach, where cybercriminals embed themselves within networks, feeding off credentials and infrastructure without immediate detection.
Decline of Ransomware as a Cyber Signal
Historically, ransomware encryption served as a clear indicator of cyber risk, with locked systems and halted operations unmistakably signaling a breach. However, according to the Red Report 2026, the prevalence of Data Encrypted for Impact (T1486) saw a 38% decrease, dropping from 21.00% in 2024 to 12.94% in 2025. This decline underscores a strategic pivot rather than a loss of capability among attackers.
Instead of relying on encryption to demand ransom, attackers are increasingly engaging in data extortion. By maintaining system functionality, they can exfiltrate sensitive data, harvest credentials, and exert pressure through extortion rather than operational disruption. This shift suggests that the impact is now measured by how long an attacker can remain undetected within a system.
Credential Theft and Stealth Techniques
With attackers focusing on long-lasting presence, identity theft has emerged as a crucial control mechanism. The Red Report 2026 highlights that Credentials from Password Stores (T1555) were involved in nearly one in four attacks (23.49%) over the past year, showcasing the rise of credential theft as a dominant tactic.
Modern cyber campaigns are increasingly characterized by stealth, minimizing overt signals. The Red Report indicates that 80% of the top ATT&CK techniques now prioritize evasion and persistence. This includes methods like Process Injection (T1055) and Application Layer Protocols (T1071), which allow attackers to operate undetected within legitimate channels.
AI and the Evolution of Cyber Threats
Despite speculation about the transformative role of artificial intelligence in cyber threats, Picus Labs’ data suggests a more subtle integration. While some malware variants are experimenting with large language models, AI has not fundamentally altered attacker strategies. Instead, attackers continue to rely on established techniques like Process Injection and Command and Scripting Interpreter, utilizing AI to enhance efficiency rather than revolutionize their approach.
The enduring tactics of credential theft, stealthy persistence, and exploitation of trusted processes remain central. Attackers are succeeding not by developing new methods, but by refining their ability to operate quietly and patiently, blending in with legitimate system activity.
As the landscape evolves, cybersecurity strategies must adapt to counter these sophisticated threats. Organizations should prioritize behavior-based detection, credential management, and continuous validation of defenses to address the subtle yet significant risks posed by digital parasites.
For a comprehensive understanding of these evolving threats, download the Picus Red Report 2026 and explore how modern adversaries are extending their presence within networks.
