DDOS Attacks on the Rise, Especially Targeting Cryptocurrency and Gambling Businesses
Cloudflare, a leading provider of protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks, has reported a significant increase in the number of attacks worldwide in the second quarter of 2023. According to their data, there were a staggering 5.4 trillion DDOS checks during this period, marking a 15% increase compared to the first quarter. While there are fewer attacks compared to the same period in 2022, the situation is still concerning.
Among the hardest-hit industries are cryptocurrency companies and gambling establishments, which have experienced a surge in DDOS attacks. In fact, the volume of attacks targeting the crypto business alone has grown by a shocking 600% in the past six months.
Factors Contributing to the Growth of DDOS Attacks
Cloudflare has identified several factors that have contributed to the rise in DDOS attacks. These include:
- Hackers taking advantage of the geopolitical situation in the world
- Betnets utilizing virtual machines
- Exploitation of vulnerabilities in Mitel telephone systems
One example of the impact of these factors is the cybercrime groups Killnet, Revil, and Anonymous Sudan. While the latter group has no affiliation with the well-known online activists “Anonymous,” it is believed that they were likely created as part of a Russian information operation aimed at destabilizing Sweden’s application to join NATO.
Recently, Anonymous Sudan hackers joined forces with other hacker groups, such as Killnet and Revil, to announce a large-scale attack on European banks and the SWIFT system. The hackers also threatened the SAS airline, demanding a ransom of $10 million in exchange for terminating the DDOS attacks.
These alarming developments highlight the increasing threat posed by DDOS attacks. Businesses, particularly those in the cryptocurrency and gambling sectors, must remain vigilant in protecting their digital infrastructure to avoid disruption and financial losses.