Cyber-attacks are no longer just digital; they now come with a grim promise of physical harm. Tim Beasley, working for a US security firm, received a menacing package that foreshadowed this disturbing trend.

According to FBI data, the number of cyber-attacks in the US has surged from 288,012 instances in 2015 to a record high of 1,008,597 last year. The financial toll for businesses and organisations topped $20.8 billion in 2025, up significantly from the previous year.

But the most chilling aspect is the rise in physical threats. In Europe, including the UK, there were over 18 cases of cyber-attacks leading to physical violence last year alone, marking a dramatic increase. These threats can range from direct intimidation to control of machinery that could result in injury or death.

Many attackers are young and state-sponsored, often outsourcing the violent acts to others due to their own discomfort with bloodshed. Europol is now investigating this trend as part of its broader efforts against such crimes. The FBI warns about online networks offering 'violence-as-a-service,' where anyone can hire a thug for a fee.

Cryptocurrency investors are particularly vulnerable, often oversharing on social media about their gains, which draws unwanted attention from cybercriminals with violent intentions.