Phishing attacks are no longer the work of lone hackers operating in the shadows. Today, anyone with an internet connection—and a few dollars—can launch a sophisticated phishing campaign. The reason? A growing underground economy known as Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS).

Similar to legitimate SaaS platforms, PhaaS kits offer ready-made phishing templates, hosting infrastructure, technical support, and even dashboards to track results. The only difference is the purpose: to steal credentials, deliver malware, or compromise business systems. For organizations already stretched thin on cybersecurity, this democratization of cybercrime presents a serious challenge.

What Is Phishing-as-a-Service?

PhaaS platforms are pre-built toolkits or services that enable individuals—even those with no technical background—to launch targeted phishing campaigns. Some operate on dark web forums, while others exist in encrypted messaging channels or invite-only marketplaces. They often offer:

  • Pre-built phishing templates mimicking banks, email platforms, or cloud apps
  • Automated credential harvesting and data export tools
  • Subscription-based pricing tiers, complete with customer support
  • Delivery mechanisms that bypass common email filters

These services allow attackers to rent infrastructure instead of building it, lowering the barrier to entry and dramatically increasing the volume of threats.

Growing Use Across Attack Types

PhaaS kits are used in a variety of campaigns, from traditional credential phishing to business email compromise (BEC), MFA fatigue attacks, and QR code-based lures. According to a Microsoft Threat Intelligence report, these kits have evolved into modular ecosystems with regular updates, built-in obfuscation, and techniques to evade detection.

Some PhaaS operators even offer “results guarantees” and customer testimonials—removing the technical, ethical, and psychological barriers that once kept casual criminals out of the phishing business.

Why PhaaS Is So Dangerous

The greatest threat posed by PhaaS is scale. A single platform can equip thousands of attackers simultaneously, all targeting different sectors with different lures. As a result, even small and mid-sized businesses are now experiencing the same level of threat exposure as large enterprises. And because many kits are updated constantly to evade detection, traditional defenses alone may not be enough.

What Businesses Can Do

Mitigating PhaaS-fueled attacks requires a combination of layered defenses and user education. Organizations should:

  • Deploy advanced threat protection at the email gateway level
  • Implement multi-factor authentication across all accounts
  • Regularly test employees with simulated phishing exercises
  • Monitor for unusual sign-in behavior, especially from unfamiliar geolocations
  • Keep endpoint protection and detection tools up to date

It’s also critical to understand that PhaaS (phishing as a service)represents a shift in the threat model. Phishing is no longer limited by the attacker’s skill. With PhaaS, the intent to steal information is all that’s required—and the tools are readily available.

Conclusion

Phishing as a Service is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. What was once a specialized threat has become a mass-market product, sold and distributed with the ease of an app. For defenders, this means staying ahead requires more than blocking known threats. It requires anticipating how accessible cybercrime has become—and acting accordingly.

For further insight into the industrialization of phishing, see CISA’s advisory on phishing services.