How easy is it now to buy malware?

[Tomcat]

Every year the number of cyberattacks and the damage from them is constantly growing all over the world. One of the main reasons for the rise in cybercrime is the low cost and high availability of off-the-shelf malware sold on underground marketplaces.

According to Cybernews, at present one does not need to be a programmer or have special technical knowledge to buy or create malware. Future cybercriminals only need to know where to shop. Banking Trojans designed to steal the credentials of online banking users are often offered together with ransomware, modern modular bots, or other malware, etc.

The programs also come with technical support, which is free or at a small additional cost. The most popular malware categories on the dark web are:

• Info-stealers are one of the most popular malicious tools. Data stealing Trojans are capable of stealing passwords, cookies, credit card histories and data, chat sessions from instant messengers, and images from web cameras. The average price is from $ 50 to $ 150.
• Remote Access Trojans (RATs) allow an attacker to take control of a victim's system, including launching and installing software, taking screenshots, switching web cameras, and monitoring the victim's actions. Pricing ranges from $ 800 to $ 1,000. Some RATs, such as Imminent Monitor, are often touted as legitimate remote administration tools to boost sales.
• Modular malicious bots can selectively launch various malicious programs depending on the target of the attack - from keylogging and stealing passwords of victims to stealing cryptocurrency wallet addresses from their clipboards. The price of bots is about $ 2.5 thousand.
• Banking Trojans disguise themselves as genuine software that users often download and install from third-party sites. Once installed, malware can gain access to the user's bank details and send them back to the attacker, giving him access to the victim's accounts. The price ranges from $ 5,000.
• The ransomware encrypts the contents of the victim's computer system and requires a ransom in cryptocurrency to recover the data. While most cybercriminals in 2020 sell their product in a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) business model, programs to create their own ransomware are also available for purchase. The rental price for a month is from $ 800, and a lifetime subscription is about $ 2.5 thousand.

Almost all high-quality malware sellers provide buyers with detailed guides on how to use their products. As for cheap programs, reviews and tips for setting them up are published even on YouTube.