¿Qué es crimeware?

¿Qué es Crimeware

Crimeware es un término general para todos programas de software malicioso, cuyo propósito es facilitar y automatizar actividades ilegales en Internet. El software criminal puede ser un virus, spyware o cualquier software malicioso que pueda usarse para cometer delitos, como:

• robo de datos personales (nombres, números de identificación, etc.);
• robo de información financiera (números de tarjetas bancarias);
• robo de secretos comerciales o información confidencial para la venta o chantaje / extorsión;
• Robo de listas de contactos y direcciones de correo electrónico para su posterior transferencia o venta;

Las acciones anteriores generalmente se realizan para brindar algún beneficio financiero al distribuidor de software criminal, en lugar de solo causar molestias a los usuarios en forma de broma.

Criminal Software as a Service (Crimeware as a Service or CaaS)

With cloud computing becoming widespread, the phrase "something as a service" has become common indeed. Offers such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) allow organizations to use specialized functions without responsibility for maintaining and protecting the infrastructure. This gives a plethora of advantages and makes it easierfor a business to scale and focus on the main business areas, by outsourcing infrastructure maintenance tasks outside of the central business model.

Unfortunately, this model was adopted by cybercrime, so such offers 'as a service' began to appear. Traditionally, a cybercriminal had to have deep computer knowledge and be a jack of all trades. Crimeware as a Service allows you to specialize in a specific narrow area, renting the necessary services from other cybercriminals as necessary. Crimeware as a Service has become an important component of the underground economy. CaaS takes cybercrime to the next level, making it more organized, automated, and accessible to criminals with limited technical skills.

One of the most common types of criminal software is a phishing kit, which is a set of convenient tools that allow people with minimal technical skills to launch phishing sites. Typically, such a kit includes website development software (including graphic files, content) that can be used to create compelling simulations of authorized sites, and spamming software (to automate the mass mailing process).