Ransomware is not a new threat to the cyber world. Its origins go back many years. Over time, this threat has become even more cruel and damaging.

While people were trying to deal with this cyber threat, cybercriminals took it a step further by offering ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). With this service, cybercriminals provide a compact, malicious kit capable of launching a ransomware attack.

Basically, the author of the ransomware makes the attack available to so-called "affiliate" customers, who can use the software to hold people's data hostage with relatively little technical skill. 

The use of RaaS allows affiliates to enter an area of extortion practices that was previously exclusive to the authors themselves.

For the ransomware author, the business model allows them to scale their earnings with less personal risk than incurred if they used it themselves. Offering their software to third parties removes them from the ultimate crime by having someone else perform the ransom act.

An increase in the number of ransomware infections has been attributed by many security experts to the advent of RaaS. Security researchers at McAfee, for example, claim that this model-as-a-service has the ability to create vast networks of affiliates, allowing ransomware to increase its impact.

How to protect yourself from this threat

Under this deployment model similar to a malicious franchise, cybercriminals write ransomware code and sell / rent it on an affiliate program to other cybercriminals who are intent on launching an attack. 

They provide technical know-how and step-by-step information on how to launch a ransomware attack using the service, a platform that can even display the status of the attack using a real-time dashboard. 

Once the attack is successful, the ransom money is divided between the service provider, the scrambler, and the attacker.

This vicious model is so attractive to some cybercriminals that you may even see RaaS ads on the dark web. 

There are several reasons why cybercriminals are attracted to this franchise-like deployment. First, it allows ransomware authors to make some quick cash. 

As for affiliates, it lessens the need to write malicious code. They can simply rent easy-to-use packages at low prices on the dark web.

To protect yourself from ransomware attacks we have some basic measures that can be followed as best practices.

1. Use a reliable security package

To protect your system against this malicious threat, you should install reliable anti-malware software for your system. 

These intelligent tools work on advanced algorithms to detect and in some cases remove ransomware threats. 

In addition, they automatically run in the background to provide 24/7 security against malware threats.

2. Have backup data

The basic idea of any ransomware attack is to target users' important and sensitive data. 

Therefore, it is critical to keep a second copy of your important data ready when needed. Here you can back up your data to external drives and/or cloud servers for added security. 

This simple step will allow you to recover your data if you suffer an attack.

3. Keep the applications your company uses up to date

In general, cybercriminals look for known weaknesses in your system software. Thus, keeping your system software up-to-date will provide you with better security against all existing and emerging cyber threats. 

Here, with every software update, you get bug fixes, security patches, and other useful features. 

In addition to implementing system software updates, you should also keep all applications on your system up-to-date for better security.

4. Avoid suspicious links and attachments

Cybercriminals use phishing e-mails and exploit kits as their preferred mode of attack on users. 

Thus, avoiding suspicious and unknown links and attachments will help you avoid unnecessary problems. If necessary, you can scan the attachment with your anti-malware program before opening it.

Although Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is one of the latest threats to digital users, it is important to take some preventive measures to combat this threat. 

Besides other basic security measures, you can also rely on advanced anti-malware programs and other preventive actions to better protect you against this threat.