Ransomware continues to be one of the most dangerous cyber threats facing businesses in 2026. A stark example is the rise of the DragonForce ransomware group, which has rapidly evolved from a small criminal operation to a powerful ransomware‑as‑a‑service (RaaS) cartel, with far-reaching implications for organizations of all sizes. Recent reporting by GBHackers News reveals that the group has now listed 363 victim companies on its data leak and extortion sites, showcasing both scale and persistence in its global attacks.
In practical terms, this means that hundreds of businesses have had their data stolen, encrypted, and held hostage, often with the added threat of public exposure if ransom demands are not met. This dual threat of data theft and file encryption puts enormous pressure on companies to capitulate, potentially compromising both operational continuity and reputation.
How DragonForce Is Evolving
The DragonForce group first emerged publicly in late 2023, quickly gaining attention on dark web forums such as BreachForums, RAMP, and Exploit. Initially operating as a standalone ransomware gang, the group soon adopted a more sophisticated RaaS model, inviting affiliates to join its cartel-style ecosystem while still retaining their own branding.
What sets DragonForce apart from many other ransomware operations is its expansion in both capabilities and collaboration:
- RansomBay Service: Partners can generate customized payloads and tailor attacks across different environments.
- Cartel Recruitment: The group markets itself as a platform for other threat actors, complete with affiliate support and tools that go beyond simple malware dissemination.
- Cross-Platform Reach: Ransomware variants can affect Windows, Linux, ESXi, and NAS systems, allowing attackers to impact both physical and virtual environments.
This growth mirrors broader trends in the cybercrime ecosystem, where ransomware gangs are increasingly organized, commercialized, and persistent.
A Growing Threat to Multiple Industries
DragonForce has not limited its attacks to any one region or sector. Victims include businesses in retail, manufacturing, services, and more. The group’s operation has intensified especially since 2025, peaking with dozens of new victims in a single month.
In some cases documented externally, ransomware activity connected to DragonForce and its affiliates has impacted major brands, severely disrupting operations. Analysts warn that as ransomware cartels compete, we could see more frequent and aggressive targeting, including double extortion attacks where multiple criminal groups target the same victim to increase leverage.
Why Traditional Security Falls Short
Most conventional cybersecurity strategies rely on a detect and respond model. Security tools monitor for known threat signals, alert defenders when suspicious activity occurs, and trigger responses once a breach is detected. But sophisticated ransomware operations like DragonForce often outpace these defenses:
- Stealth and Evasion: Modern ransomware tools use advanced techniques to evade detection, including process termination approaches and obfuscation strategies.
- Fast Execution: By the time ransomware activity is detected, encryption and data theft can be well underway.
- Ransomware Cartel Support: Affiliates using shared criminal infrastructure can launch attacks that bypass many traditional defenses.
This gap between detection and containment creates a window that ransomware operators exploit repeatedly.
A Better Defense: Isolation and Containment
To genuinely protect businesses against fast-moving threats like DragonForce, security must shift from detect and respond to isolation and containment. Instead of waiting for signs of compromise and trying to mitigate damage after the fact, a containment-centric approach actively prevents unauthorized code from executing outside designated safe zones.
That’s where AppGuard sets itself apart.
Why AppGuard Is a Game Changer
AppGuard has a proven 10-year track record of stopping ransomware, malware, and zero-day attacks in their tracks. Instead of relying on detection signatures or responding after an intrusion, AppGuard actively isolates untrusted and potentially malicious activity from the rest of the system. This containment strategy means that even if a threat like DragonForce attempts an attack, it cannot execute and spread outside its isolated environment.
AppGuard’s approach has been validated across numerous real-world attacks and is now available for commercial deployment, offering businesses a far more resilient endpoint protection model.
Call to Action for Business Owners
As ransomware groups like DragonForce become more sophisticated and organized, the risks to your business operations and sensitive data only grow. Traditional detect and respond defenses are no longer enough.
Talk with us at CHIPS today about how AppGuard can help protect your organization with advanced isolation and containment. Move beyond reactive defenses and prevent ransomware breaches before they happen, keeping your business secure and operational.
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