India, July 23 -- A clean looking email can now hit just as hard as any exploit kit. Proofpoint's 2026 AI Era Ransomware Report shows that 62% of Indian organizations hit by ransomware said AI made the attack more effective, mostly by sharpening phishing, impersonation, and credential theft.

This matters because ransomware is no longer just about locking files and asking for money. The playbook has evolved. Attackers move in quietly, grab credentials, map access, and only then start applying pressure through layered extortion.

In India, 42% of ransomware incidents started with phishing or some form of email driven social engineering. Malicious links led the pack at 71%. Attachments followed at 53%. Business Email Compromise showed up in...