The Ransomware Relay: How Cybercriminals Turn Patience Into Profit

It starts with a whisper, not a bang. A company’s files are suddenly locked, its digital lifeblood held hostage. But behind the scenes, the real story is far more patient, methodical, and chilling: cybercriminals have been lurking for weeks, sometimes months, quietly exfiltrating data before making their move. Welcome to the era of the “long load” - a ransomware strategy built on stealth, leverage, and the slow burn of digital extortion.

Unlike smash-and-grab cyberattacks of the past, today’s ransomware operators prefer patience over panic. After breaching a network - often through phishing, exploited vulnerabilities, or compromised credentials - attackers settle in. They escalate privileges, disable security tools, and quietly siphon off sensitive information: financial records, trade secrets, customer data. Only when they’ve drained every digital asset worth stealing do they unleash the final blow: encrypting critical files and presenting a ransom note.

This “double extortion” model, popularized by groups tracked on feeds like Ransomfeed, is devastatingly effective. Victims face a double bind: pay to regain access to their own systems, and pay again (or face public exposure) to prevent the release of stolen data. The longer hackers remain undetected - the “long load” period - the more damaging their leverage becomes. Some attackers even wait for key business moments, like quarterly reports or mergers, to maximize pressure and payout.

For defenders, this slow-motion crisis is a nightmare. Traditional security tools often fail to spot the quiet, lateral movement of a patient attacker. By the time ransomware detonates, the damage is already done. Incident response becomes a desperate scramble to assess what’s been stolen, what’s been encrypted, and what the public fallout might be.

The rise of the “long load” underscores a harsh reality: in the ransomware relay, the criminals are content to play the long game - and too often, businesses are left running to catch up.

As cybercriminals refine their tactics, the need for vigilance, early detection, and resilient backups has never been greater. The “long load” is a chilling reminder: in the digital age, the biggest threats are often the ones that move the slowest - and strike the hardest.

WIKICROOK

• Ransomware: Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts or locks data, demanding payment from victims to restore access to their files or systems.
• Double extortion: Double extortion is a ransomware tactic where attackers both encrypt files and steal data, threatening to leak the data if the ransom isn’t paid.
• Lateral movement: Lateral movement is when attackers, after breaching a network, move sideways to access more systems or sensitive data, expanding their control and reach.
• Privilege escalation: Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker gains higher-level access, moving from a regular user account to administrator privileges on a system or network.
• Incident response: Incident response is the structured process organizations use to detect, contain, and recover from cyberattacks or security breaches, minimizing damage and downtime.