crime-as-a-service
n. Web-based software that enables or enhances online criminal activity.
Also Seen As
cybercrime-as-a-servicecrimeware-as-a-serviceCaaS
Examples
2013
A worrying new phrase has entered the lexicon of cybercrime — Crime-as-a-Service (CaaS)…

CaaS has become a well-oiled machine, built on a wide network of players that fulfill specific functions.
—Vishak Raman, “Cybercrime-as-a-Service — A Very Modern Business,” PCQuest, March 07, 2013
2012
New versions of the ZeuS botnet code costs $3,000; Butterfly botnet code costs $900. Simplified botnets used in the rental and crime-as-a-service model are cheaper, such as Bredolab, starting at $50.
—Ellen Messmer, “World of botnet cybercrime paying pretty well these days,” Network World, December 19, 2012
2008 (earliest)
Finjan says Crimeware-as-a-Service (CaaS) is becoming an increasing problem and the ability of law enforcement to track malicious hackers will become increasingly hampered.
—Larry Dignan, “The next big thing? Crimeware-as-a-service,” ZDNet, April 07, 2008
Notes
The something-as-a-service idea comes from cloud computing, where online applications (such as DropBox and Google Docs) are called software-as-a-service (SaaS) and online computing power (such as Amazon EC2) is called infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS).
Posted: March 27, 2013