Ransomware explained: how it works and how to remove it

Likewise, according to a 2024 report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), ransomware continues to evolve and disrupt “critical services, businesses and communities around the world, creating costly incidents that are increasingly destructive and disruptive.” According to the report, it costs companies an average of $1.85 million to recover from a ransomware attack.

Adding salt to the wound, 80% of victims who paid ransoms were retargeted by criminals, CISA reported. According to CISA, the economic, technical and reputational impact of ransomware incidents, throughout the initial disruption and sometimes extended recovery, continues to challenge organizations large and small.

What is Ransomware as a Service (RaaS)

Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) allows cybercriminals to offer ransomware software to other individuals or groups for a fee. While it is obviously a criminal activity, it follows the same model as software-as-a-service, infrastructure-as-service, and other cloud-based services. This allows individuals with limited technical skills to launch ransomware attacks without having to develop the malware themselves. RaaS has made it easier for cybercriminals to carry out ransomware attacks, increasing the frequency and sophistication of these attacks – and AI is only making it easier.