With just a few Bitcoins and a quick search of Dark Web marketplaces, bad actors can become the owners of powerfully malicious tools.
A new study from research organization CyberNews.com found that malware is becoming increasingly easy to buy and deploy, even for those without technical backgrounds.
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While malware deployments have grown in sophistication over the years, the number of attacks has also risen, signaling a democratization of tools allowing less-experienced cybercriminals to take advantage of widespread information. The report found that through underground message boards and Dark Web marketplaces, bad actors can easily find "incredibly low cost" widely available "off-the-shelf malware and ransomware."
"What we found exceeded our expectations far beyond what we initially anticipated. As it turns out, you don't have to be a programmer or even have any specialized technical knowledge to buy or create malware. In fact, the entry bar is set so low that practically anyone can do it–all you need is an online wallet loaded with some Bitcoin," the report said.
"Encrypted trojans that can remain undetected by even the most sophisticated antivirus systems? Custom-built ransomware tailored to your own specifications? Remote cybercrime courses for aspi ..
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