Five‑Year Database Ransom Study Reveals Massive Data Loss and Concentrated Bitcoin Profits
A five‑year census of 65,907 exposed databases found 30,515 (46%) with ransom notes, totaling over 215 billion records at risk. Tracing 514 attacker Bitcoin wallets revealed 62% received no on‑chain payments, yet the data was still destroyed or held. The few wallets that did receive funds captured most of the value, showing a highly concentrated, automated extortion ecosystem.