Cybercrime cases are on the rise. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly easier to use the services offered to carry out cyberattacks. This method is called CaaS (Crime as a service). Ready-made cybercrime? Ransomware, the word that makes the hairs on the back of the neck of IT managers and service providers stand up, is the most frequently acquired service on the dark web alongside DDoS attacks.

How does CaaS work?

Crime-as-a-Service (CaaS) is a category of cloud services that criminals are now also using to be offered on the dark web, similar to SaaS (Software as a service). This means that criminals do not need to have any know-how or technical knowledge to engage in cybercrime. The required service is purchased on an offered marketplace and executed at a defined time. Payment is usually made using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

Which services are offered as CaaS?

The selection of services in the field of cybercrime is diverse. The most commonly offered services are:

  • Ransomware: Encryption trojan designed to decrypt data for a ransom.
  • Malware: Malicious software that collects and steals sensitive data.
  • DDoS attacks: Excessively high traffic to a service/website in order to shut it down.
  • Phishing: Using fraudulent emails to obtain and sell sensitive data.

Increasing risk potential

The inhibition threshold to commit crimes on the Internet and services via CaaS is falling more and more because it is becoming easier and easier to buy these services. Time and again, companies fall victim to ransomware and malware. But state institutions and infrastructure such as energy suppliers are also increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. This is how entire companies are encrypted with ransomware. The consequences are far-reaching, up to the total ruin of the company or the failure of entire power grids.

How to protect yourself against cybercrime!

IT security is not a product that you buy. It is a constantly growing process that has to be adapted, optimized and lived again and again. An important point is to understand the threats to employees so that they do not recklessly deal with potential gateways in the form of fake emails. Implement holistic and multi-layered IT security consisting of e-mail protection, e-mail backup and a backup & recovery strategy. This is the only way to future-proof your company against cyberattacks and cyber crime.

All categories