Why managers are ransomware's top targets now - and 6 ways to stay safe

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ZDNET's key takeaways

Managers were the prime targets in a single ransomware campaign.

Managers often have special privileges, making them tempting targets.

Training and network security are key to preventing such attacks.

Ransomware attacks don't just target specific organizations but also specific employees. Those employees are often the ones with special privileges or higher levels of access that attackers can exploit to reach confidential resources. That's why managers often end up being in the crosshairs of such attacks.

In new research, "Ransomware Moves up the Org Chart: Managers Are Prime Targets," Zscaler's ThreatLabz threat intelligence unit analyzed the early stage of a real-world ransomware attack. Part of Zscaler's upcoming ThreatLabz 2026 Ransomware Report, the research looked for details among one specific campaign to try to find common clues and signals.

Also: Why this fully agentic ransomware attack is giving researchers nightmares

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