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What if initiating a cybercrime was as easy as ordering a new t-shirt online? Thanks to “ransomware as a service”, that may now be the reality. Ransomware as a service (or RaaS) is way more accessible than you think, and it has become one of the top online risks. Learn what it is and how to protect yourself.
Paulius Ilevičius
Jan 20, 2022 · 3 min read
RaaS (or ransomware as a service) is a service that allows users to use already-developed ransomware tools and execute ransomware attacks. RaaS is like an evil version of the software as a service (SaaS) model. It enables lay users to lock their targets’ data and demand ransom without much technical knowledge.
RaaS mimics the model of other online services. Developers create ransomware tools with high chances of success. Then they modify them to serve a multi-user infrastructure. Various affiliates then sell the software to end users on the dark web. This enables users without much technical knowledge to initiate ransomware cyberattacks by simply signing up for the service and using the tools.
All cybercriminals need to do is find a service that suits their purposes and sign up on its website. Then they simply select the type of tool they wish to use and pay with cryptocurrencies. Users can then initiate attacks, receive all the guidelines and the necessary documentation to proceed, and even track the progress of their malicious activities.
Sometimes the user friendliness and availability of RaaS services are surprising. Some even have customer service, various discounts, bundle offers, and customer reviews. They are also relatively affordable.
Here are a few types of RaaS business models:
Here are a few tips on how to prevent or at least minimize RaaS damage:
There is no 100% correct answer to this question, but most law-enforcement agencies advise not paying a ransom. In some countries, it is even illegal to pay the ransom.
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