The Qilin ransomware group is a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation that emerged in 2022 and remains very active. Qilin targets mid- to large-sized organizations across sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, legal services, and critical infrastructure, often focusing on victims with complex enterprise environments.

Qilin is known for its highly aggressive double extortion strategy, combining system encryption with the theft of sensitive data and threats of public disclosure. The group operates a structured leak site and applies sustained pressure during negotiations. Initial access is commonly achieved through phishing, compromised credentials, and exploitation of exposed or unpatched services, followed by extensive lateral movement.

Operationally, Qilin stands out for its professional tooling and customization options, offering affiliates configurable payloads, anti-analysis features, and support for both Windows and Linux/ESXi environments.

The group’s continued activity and adaptability underscore the persistence of well-organized RaaS platforms, which remain a significant threat to organizations with weak credential controls, limited segmentation, or insufficient monitoring for data exfiltration.