Brazil recorded the third-highest volume of ransomware attacks globally in June, according to data provided by the Ransomware.live platform. This initiative was created by Julien Mousqueton, CISO of Cohesity, a company focused on data security that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI).
During the month, 23 incidents were counted in Brazilian territory. With this record, Brazil placed behind only the United States and Germany. This is the first time the country has entered the top ten most affected since the platform began collecting data in January.
Ransomware.live constantly monitors leak sites operated by ransomware groups to identify and document new victims. Ransomware attacks function by employing malicious software that prevents users or organizations from accessing their systems. Subsequently, criminals demand a ransom to restore access, often under the threat of permanently exposing or deleting the data.
According to the survey, the United States led the ranking for June with 199 cases, followed by Germany, which accumulated 49 attacks. Brazil holds the third position with 23 attacks, surpassing the United Kingdom, which reported 21 occurrences. India and Canada tied with 20 cases each.
The other countries completing the top ten are: France with 15 cases, Italy with 15, Mexico with 14, and Thailand with 13.
Gustavo Leite, Vice President of Cohesity for Latin America, interpreted the inclusion of Brazil, India, and Thailand among the main targets as a possible sign of a change in the tactics of criminal groups. He assessed that the recent rise of these countries as identified targets may be the result of an intentional strategy aimed at jurisdictions that demonstrate lower preparedness in incident response and collaboration with security agencies.
Globally, the survey indicated a total of 708 ransomware victims in June. Although this number represents a decrease of 10.5% compared to the 791 victims registered in May, Cohesity emphasizes that the overall volume remains very high compared to the last twelve months, highlighting the continuous intensity of the threat.
Victim records over the last twelve months showed the following totals: July 2025 with 547; August 2025 with 530; September 2025 with 598; October 2025 with 839; November 2025 with 717; December 2025 with 882; January with 702; February with 784; March with 844; April with 870; May with 791 and June with 708.
In terms of sectors, the B2B market remained the most impacted sector by ransomware attacks in June, totaling 123 victims. There was a reduction of 23.1% in this segment compared to the 160 cases registered in May. Subsequent sectors include Manufacturing, with 83 victims (a drop of 19.4%); Technology, with 56 (a drop of 21.1%); Consumer Services, with 53 (showing an increase of 1.9%); Health, with 52 (a drop of 23.5%); Agriculture and Food Production, with 36 (a drop of 7.7%); Construction, with 27 (a drop of 15.6%); Transport and Logistics, with 26 (a drop of 25.7%); Financial Services, with 25 (a drop of 26.5%), and Education, with 24 (a drop of 14.3%).
Among all analyzed categories, Consumer Services was the only sector to register growth compared to the previous month, rising from 52 to 53 victims, corresponding to an increase of 1.9%.
Cohesity publishes the Ransomware.live figures monthly. The company states that its services are used by clients in more than 140 countries, covering 70% of the companies listed in the Fortune Global 500.
Local South African rooibos tea is preparing for a flight to the International Space Station in October as part of an innovative project. According to the South African Rooibos Council (SARC), this initiative involves exposing local seeds to microgravity and cosmic radiation to study life support systems outside of Earth.
After returning, the seeds will be planted by students from Parkland College and seven schools in the Western Cape alongside control seeds to analyze their germination, growth, and yield. The ultimate goal of this significant experiment is to help solve important agricultural cultivation problems on Earth while simultaneously increasing youth interest in advanced space science.
SARC Director, Douwe de Villiers, stated that the council is expanding its traditional focus on local public health research to study the influence of cosmic radiation and microgravity on this crop. He specified that students will become active partners in the project, tracking seed growth and resilience parallel to ground control crops. The project aims to address current commercial cultivation and yield challenges for local farmers, as well as stimulating youth interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
De Villiers expressed hope that among the young participants, 'a spark will ignite, prompting them to delve deeper into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.'
During the launch event, Dr. Kelebogile Gaselakhwa, a postdoctoral researcher at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), urged students to draw inspiration from the journey of this crop.
Gaselakhwa stated: 'Being rooted deep in the earth and soaring high into the sky, right into space, is a message I want all of you to keep in your hearts.' Speaking about her own journey from Kimberley to becoming an astronomer, she emphasized that South Africa's global scientific facilities, such as the MeerKAT radio telescope, demonstrate the country's global leadership in science. She encouraged students to pursue careers in STEM and use the rooibos experiment to expand their own ambitions.
Gaselakhwa added that 'the seeds are going into space, but the seeds of inspiration we hope to sow in each of you today will help broaden your imagination,' urging students to remain unique and true to their identity while pursuing their dreams.
The South African National Space Agency (Sansa) supported the project to strengthen local skills development and innovation. Tandile Wuntu, Head of Sansa's Science Engagement Department in Germinus, noted that this initiative creates vital opportunities for youth entering STEM fields. He stressed that 'space science is becoming increasingly integrated into areas affecting daily life, from communication to environmental monitoring.'
Wuntu also pointed out that such projects demonstrate the importance of collaboration between industry, government, academia, and the scientific sector to build a strong pipeline of future scientists, engineers, and researchers. MaxIQ Space facilitates the delivery of this scientific program directly into classrooms by developing an extended STEM education curriculum that introduces students to space science, plant biology, and sustainable agriculture.
Judy Sandrock from MaxIQ Space stated that the initiative's goal is to strengthen access to authentic scientific learning. She noted that the project's value lies in giving students exposure to real-world scientific research processes related to space science, providing a structured opportunity to develop scientific thinking, data analysis skills, and understanding of practical experimentation.
To increase national participation, students across South Africa are invited to participate in designing the official 'Rooibos in Space' mission badge in July and August, thereby extending the project's reach beyond the primary participating schools. Bertram Loriston, Deputy Director of Curriculum Management and Assessment for the Western Cape Education Department, strongly urged young people to seize every opportunity. Loriston recalled his own experience working at CERN in Geneva, where scientific experiments and data management broadened his horizons. Despite the difficulties of this scientific path, he ultimately chose teaching to inspire curiosity in youth, praising teachers for providing students with opportunities that open doors beyond the classroom. His advice was simple and resolute: 'When an opportunity knocks, you must dance. Take it.'
Applying this advice is Chloe Kosi, a Grade 10 student from Khanyville High School, who said this initiative has already taught her how curiosity can unlock major career and academic opportunities. For Kosi, sending a local South African plant into space is a proud achievement that will help gain international recognition for the country's scientific research.
A team of scientists from Northeast India has identified a new species of firefly in the village of Mawsynram, known as the wettest place on Earth, located in the state of Meghalaya.
The new insect has been named Pygoluciola mawsynram. Its discovery was made by researchers from Assam Don Bosco University and Debraj Roy College. This species increases the total number of species in the genus Pygoluciola to 29 worldwide and is only the fifth representative of its genus recorded in India.
The discovery occurred in May 2024, shortly before the start of the heavy monsoon season. The researchers conducted fieldwork, trekking through moist meadows and semi-evergreen forests of the East Khasi Hills. They observed the fireflies emitting yellowish flashes of light between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, often near small, slow-moving water bodies and waterfalls.
To confirm the novelty of the species, the team used a combination of traditional morphology, which studies the physical structure of the insect, and DNA barcoding to determine its genetic signature. Although many fireflies look similar externally, P. mawsynram is distinguished by an orange-yellow pronotum (the plate covering the upper part of the body) and black wings with thin yellow edges. Its closest relative is the Indonesian firefly, Pygoluciola ambita, but microscopic examination revealed key differences.
The new Indian species possesses a uniquely curved or complex edge on the sixth abdominal segment and has differently formed reproductive organs (aedeagus). Specifically, the tip of this organ is characterized by a broad base that narrows to a thin, wavy membrane, which is not observed in other known representatives of this group. The name Mawsynram was chosen in honor of the village where the firefly was first discovered, also paying tribute to the local Khasi community, which traditionally cares for the region's biodiversity by preserving sacred groves.
The researchers emphasized that despite the abundance of wildlife in India, fireflies have long been ignored by the scientific community. They consider this finding an important step toward understanding the role of these bioluminescent insects in the ecosystem. Since the fireflies were found near water, the team suggests that their larvae may be aquatic or semi-aquatic, implying their dependence on the region's famous rainfall for survival.
>Prime Minister Narendra Modi highly praised the planned first launch of Vikram-1, which is the first privately developed orbital vehicle in India. He called this event a 'historic new milestone' for the country's space program. Skyroot Aerospace from Hyderabad was preparing for the Aagaman mission, which was set to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The launch was scheduled for 11:30 AM and marked the first time an Indian private company would attempt to place satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) using a self-developed launcher. Before the start, the Prime Minister posted on X, noting that the mission demonstrates the growing capabilities of India's private space sector.
Modi stated: 'A historic new milestone for India's space journey! Today at 11:30, Skyroot Aerospace will conduct the first orbital launch of Vikram-1, India's first private sector vehicle. This four-stage rocket is designed to provide fast and on-demand launch services.' He emphasized that the mission reflects the impact of reforms in India's space sector and wished success to the entire Skyroot Aerospace team, urging Indians to support the mission.
S. Somanath, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), also congratulated Skyroot Aerospace, calling the mission an important milestone for India's private space industry. In his post on X, he noted that this is more than just the first orbital flight of a rocket, as it signifies India's capability to build its own rockets.
According to Skyroot Aerospace, Vikram-1 is a 24-meter tall, four-stage vehicle constructed from lightweight carbon-composite structure. It is equipped with three solid-fuel stages and a liquid orbital correction module. The rocket is capable of delivering a payload of up to 350 kg to an altitude of 450 km in low Earth orbit. The maiden flight will feature the launch of several demonstration payloads from Indian and international clients, including platforms from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and SCOPE from Skyroot itself.
Rajesh Joti, Technical Director of IN-SPACe, told ANI that the mission reflects the rapid expansion of India's private space ecosystem since the sector was opened by the Centre in 2020. He noted that the number of startups has grown from five or six to over 400.
In addition to technological demonstrations, Vikram-1 will also carry a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Modi with the inscription 'Vande Mataram', as well as postcards from engineers, scientists, and Indian astronauts. Data collected during the test flight will be used to verify the rocket's guidance and navigation systems and improve it before future commercial launches. If successful, the Aagaman mission will establish Skyroot Aerospace as the first Indian private company to place payloads into orbit using its own launcher.
