Ransomware isn’t a new threat to the cyber world. Its origins go back many years. It’s a sort of malware where cybercriminals attack your system with malicious code. The intent to lock you out of your system and encrypt your important and sensitive data. Further, demanding ransom from you before they provide a decryption key for your locked system and encrypted data.
Ransomware is malicious software that infects your computer and displays messages demanding a fee to be paid for your system to work again. It is the power to lock a computer screen or encrypt important files with a password.
Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) is a model used by ransomware developers, in which they lease ransomware variants in the same way that legitimate software developers lease Software as a Service (SaaS) products.
This subscription-based model gives the ordinary person that may be a novice the potential to launch its ransomware attacks without the need of knowing any programming skills and without much difficulty. They are easy to seek out on the dark web, where they are advertised in the same way that goods are advertised on the legitimate web.
The author of the malicious code will provide a technical step-by-step information guide on how to launch the attack. There will also be a platform that will be given to quickly monitor the status of the attacks.The ransom’s profit is shared among the service provider, the author of the code, and the affiliate attacker if the attack was successful.
The RaaS process looks something like this:
- Malware authors design a RaaS kit for the individual or group
- The individual or group then promotes the RaaS kit on the dark web and other platforms
- Buyers purchase the RaaS kit
- Buyers distribute the RaaS kit either on their own or with the help of a dedicated distribution service
- If successful, the targets get infected
Preventing RaaS Attacks
Since it’s obvious that anyone also can launch a ransomware attack, it is better to guard yourself at all times. The following are ways to do so:
Using Reliable Security Suite
To guard yourself and your system from this malicious threat, you should install anti-malware software for your system. This will detect any malicious event on your computer and either clean or quarantine the detected threats.
Backup Data
The primary goal of any ransomware attack is to extract sensitive and important data from your computer. It is important to do regular backups of your important data either backing it up on external drives or cloud servers for better security. You will be assured that whatever happens to your computer, you will be able to restore everything smoothly.
Avoid Suspicious Links and Attachments
Cybercriminals use phishing emails and exploit kits as their preferred mode of attacking users. Thus, avoiding suspicious and unknown links & attachments will help you avert unnecessary trouble. If necessary, you can scan the attachment with your antimalware program before opening it.
Keep System Software Up To Date
Keeping system software up to date provide better security against all existing and emerging cyber threats. You will be protected against these criminals who know how to use ransomware as a service.
Educate the Employees
In any organization, employees are the foremost vulnerable assets and are presumed to cause infection to the organization, but also are the primary line of defense. Education on ransomware and other viruses is not just a one-off workshop. It is a continually reviewed reinforcement strategy that seeks to update everyone on the newest threats.
Although nobody is safe on this endless and limitless technology, these are just a couple of mechanisms to make sure a safer environment.