As technology advances, businesses become increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which are becoming more sophisticated and frequent. A data breach can be incredibly costly, with the average cost rising to $4.24 million in 2021, potentially causing significant financial strain for small and medium-sized businesses and reputational damage.

To avoid these consequences, it is essential to stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity developments, including the emergence of Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS), and take steps to protect your networks, data, systems, and reputation.

Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS): what is it?

Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) allows cybercriminals to easily launch attacks by purchasing pre-made malware instead of developing it themselves. This service is usually accessible on the dark web and can be purchased by anyone, even those without technical knowledge.

Once purchased, the malicious actor can use the software to conduct a variety of nefarious activities, including stealing sensitive information, disrupting computer systems, or encrypting data and demanding a ransom payment to unlock it. This poses a significant threat to businesses and individuals, as MaaS enables cybercriminals to launch complex and devastating cyber-attacks with ease

This makes it challenging for law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and IT teams to track down the perpetrators responsible for the attacks.

The bottom line: To safeguard valuable company data, businesses must be familiar with various types of malware and take proactive measures to defend against these malicious services.

Your business and MaaS: how to protect yourself.

As malware continues to advance in sophistication and accessibility, it is increasingly crucial for businesses to implement defense programs that can provide additional protection against malicious actors.

The following steps can help your business protect itself from MaaS:

• Secure your network with strong network security measures, such as a web application firewall, intrusion detection, and a strong password.
• Ensure that all software and operating systems are regularly updated and patched in order to prevent vulnerabilities from occurring.
• Inform staff members about Malware-as-a-Service hazards and how to prevent them, including not clicking on dubious email attachments or visiting dubious websites.
• Make sure the network is regularly scanned for signs of infection by reputable anti-virus and anti-malware software.
• If something goes wrong, you can quickly restore your business’ operations by regularly backing up your data.

Your company’s data privacy and reputation are valuable assets that directly impact its worth. A robust and well-executed cybersecurity plan is essential to safeguard against the risk of Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS).

Conclusion

The rise of the MaaS model means that cybercrime no longer requires advanced technical skills. However, this does not mean you have to avoid the internet altogether. By implementing preventative measures and a strong cybersecurity strategy, you can rest assured that your company’s data is protected against MaaS attacks.

CrowdStrike Platform offers a dependable and affordable solution for thwarting ransomware and other threats with a proven track record of 100% prevention rate. The platform has also been recognized for its excellence by winning the AAA award from SE Labs. By choosing CrowdStrike, businesses can save valuable time and resources while ensuring robust security.

With advanced threat intelligence, machine learning, and real-time analysis, Proofpoint identifies and blocks even the most sophisticated attacks before they can harm your people or data. Stay ahead of potential risks with detailed threat insights and reporting. Choose Proofpoint for comprehensive protection against phishing, malware, ransomware, and more.