Key Takeaways
- 10 malware types dominated 2025 – led by Stealers, RATs, Loaders, and Ransomware
- 155,741 detections – Stealers ranked #1, more than double second place
- Stealers and RATs tripled in activity vs. 2024; Ransomware doubled
- Nearly 1.4 million total malicious detections logged across all types in 2025
The Story Behind the Numbers
Data from ANY.RUN’s 2025 Malware Trends Report reveals a clear pecking order. Across nearly 1.4 million malicious detections logged in their security sandbox, 10 distinct malware types dominated the threat landscape.
Stealers came in at #1 with 155,741 detections – more than double the #2 spot. These are programs designed to silently harvest your passwords, browser cookies, and crypto wallet data. If your accounts have ever been compromised without a clear reason, a stealer could be why.
RATs (Remote Access Trojans) ranked second with 72,114 detections. A RAT gives an attacker live control of your device – they can see your screen, open files, or activate your camera – all without you knowing.
Loaders (69,651 detections) ranked third. Think of them as delivery trucks: they break into a system first, then drop the real malware payload later.
Ransomware ranked fourth at 42,220 detections – but don’t let that fool you. Each successful attack is designed to be impossible to ignore: it locks your files and demands payment to get them back.
Rounding out the top 10: Botnets (24,022), Backdoors (21,418), Keyloggers (16,144), Adware (14,960), Trojans (10,016), and Miners (8,442).
Compared to 2024, the top four types held their positions – but grew dramatically. Stealers and RATs tripled in activity. Loaders grew 2.5x. Ransomware doubled.
Why This Data is Important
These aren’t abstract categories. Each type targets something specific about how you use the internet.
Stealers and keyloggers go after your credentials. If you reuse passwords – or store them in your browser – you’re a primary target. RATs and backdoors give attackers persistent, silent access to your device long after the initial infection. Miners quietly drain your CPU to generate cryptocurrency for someone else.
Understanding VPN encryption protocols can help you grasp why an encrypted connection matters: many of these malware types rely on unencrypted traffic to phone home to attacker-controlled servers. A VPN disrupts that communication path.
The broader takeaway: malware isn’t one thing. Each type requires a different defensive response, and the threat mix is shifting fast.
Looking Ahead: Future Outlook
The 2025 data shows a clear trend: attackers are doubling down on credential theft and persistent access rather than one-and-done attacks. Stealers, RATs, and Backdoors all surged. This points toward longer, multi-stage campaigns where the initial infection is just step one.
Staying anonymous online and keeping software updated remain the two most effective defenses against the majority of these threat types.
Source & Methodology
Data sourced from the ANY.RUN Malware Trends Report 2025, published January 20, 2026. Detection figures are based on 6.8 million sandbox sessions analyzed by ANY.RUN’s global security research community throughout the 2025 calendar year.