Ransomware as a service operations have seen tremendous growth in the short time since their emergence. Learn about these attacks and how to protect against them in Data Protection 101, our series on the fundamentals of information security.
WHAT IS RANSOMWARE AS A SERVICE?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files, holding them hostage unless the victim pays a ransom for their decryption. Ransomware is usually spread using phishing emails and infected websites. Ransomware attacks have extorted billions from victims over the past fifteen years or so, but a newer development in the ransomware delivery model has taken this threat to a whole new level: ransomware as a service (RaaS). This new trend has seen cybercriminals offering their ransomware operations – from delivery all the way through to taking ransom payments – for hire as a service or via web platforms, typically for a cut of the ransom gains or a fixed fee.