What is Malware as a service (MaaS)?

In time, the hacker underworld creates a similar model of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Malware as a service and SaaS have a similar duty with one main difference; MaaS is an unlawful version of SaaS. MaaS gives everyone the facility to copy and use the Malware. This Malware is even updated regularly.

With MaaS, people who do not have technical skills can initiate cyber attacks utilizing the ready-made codes supplied. Therefore, the underground world is now accessible to everyone who subscribes and pays monthly without needing any technical ability.

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MaaS Networks Run on a Model Which Consists of Three Key Groups

Three different groups play a role in the malware-as-a-service business model.

The first and the main one is developers in charge of creating Malware. The second group must find vulnerabilities in computer systems. These discovered vulnerabilities allow malware injection. The last group is administrators. They try to make sure that everything runs flawlessly and everyone follows the rules. They also take ransom commissions from campaigns.

Malware business growth affects botnet’s improvement. The botnet is a network that includes infected computers. Botnet follows the hacker’s orders, sends spam emails, stores illegal materials, and runs a side business. The scariest part is that computer owners do not even suspect the hacking despite these threats. Therefore, experts can not find actual criminals controlling the whole army even if they can identify some of these bots.

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The botnet’s been around for so many years. Hackers had to write a botnet from zero to execute a crime in the past. This technology evolved and became reachable to everyone in time, even non-technical people. Now, everyone can subscribe and reach a ready-made botnet provided by MaaS. Subscribers’ payments are usually made in privacy-centric cryptocurrencies, and they can use botnets for their benefits with no limitation.

How Can We Protect Ourselves From Malware-as-a-Service?

The most effective way to protect yourself from malware-as-a-service is to use next-generation cyber intelligence solutions.

These times are not the safest period for cyber security. But there are always some ways to protect our data from these attacks. Keeping your device system up-to-date, finding unique passwords, being more careful about pop-up ads on the web, avoiding clicking unknown links, being cautious about phishing emails, and downloading anti-virus programs can be helpful to be protected from Malware.

But remember that Malware is not always created for computers. Mobile phones are at risk too. To protect your phone from MaaS, avoid downloading apps from sources other than Google Play or the App Store. Be careful about unknown links from SMS and emails.

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These are some protection ideas, but if the Malware has already been injected into your device? How can you realize that? Some clues help you to figure out. For example, suppose your device becomes slower without reason. In that case, pop-up ads appear unexpectedly, or your device runs out of space suddenly, and your device can be infected.

Recently, cybercriminals do not need to have a solid technical background to hack; these days are gone. With Malware as a service network, everyone can be a cybercriminal. That makes the internet an unsafe place day by day, but it does not mean you should altogether avoid the internet. Stay gingerly and be aware of new cybersecurity tools.