Top 5 Ransomware Groups in Q2 2026: Who They Are, How They Operate, and What They Target

Brandefense's Q2 2026 ransomware trends report documents 2,509 independently verified victims across 91 ransomware groups, profiles the top five operators with detailed TTPs (including ESXi-targeting encryptors, credential-market initial access, BYOVD EDR evasion, and double-extortion workflows), identifies ecosystem-wide patterns that raise systemic risk to backups and supply chains, and forecasts continued elevated activity into Q3 2026 while recommending proactive monitoring and mitigation priorities.