Ransomware Attacks Disproportionately Target Windows Systems, Trend Micro Data Reveals
A recent analysis by Trend Micro, published on March 6, 2024, highlights the persistent dominance of Windows operating systems as the primary target for ransomware attacks worldwide between 2019 and 2023. The data, compiled in a Statista report, underscores Windows’ overwhelming share of detected ransomware incidents, far outpacing other platforms.
The findings reveal that Windows systems accounted for the vast majority of ransomware detections during the five-year period, reflecting both their widespread enterprise and consumer adoption and their attractiveness to threat actors. While the exact percentage breakdown is not specified in the summary, the trend aligns with historical patterns where Windows’ market dominance makes it a lucrative target for cybercriminals.
The report does not detail specific attack vectors or regional variations but serves as a broader indicator of ransomware trends across operating systems. The data was accessed on March 18, 2026, and remains a key reference for understanding the evolving threat landscape. The insights provide context for organizations assessing risk exposure and prioritizing security measures for high-target platforms.
Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498850/most-targeted-operating-systems-with-ransomware/
Statista cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/statista
Trend Micro cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/trend-micro
"id": "STATRE1773844405",
"linkid": "statista, trend-micro",
"type": "Cyber Attack",
"date": "3/2024",
"severity": "25",
"impact": "1",
"explanation": "Attack without any consequences"{'affected_entities': [{'location': 'Worldwide',
'type': 'Enterprise and Consumer Systems'}],
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2024-03-06',
'description': 'A recent analysis by Trend Micro highlights the persistent '
'dominance of Windows operating systems as the primary target '
'for ransomware attacks worldwide between 2019 and 2023. The '
'data underscores Windows’ overwhelming share of detected '
'ransomware incidents, far outpacing other platforms.',
'impact': {'systems_affected': 'Windows systems'},
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2026-03-18',
'source': 'Trend Micro (Statista report)'}],
'title': 'Ransomware Attacks Disproportionately Target Windows Systems',
'type': 'Ransomware'}