The Growing Threat of DDoS Attacks in 2024
In today’s digital landscape, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are becoming more prevalent and sophisticated. Recent research from StormWall reveals that DDoS attacks have doubled year-on-year, with a 102% increase in incidents in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The government sector has been particularly hard hit, experiencing a 116% increase in DDoS attacks. This surge is attributed in part to the high number of countries holding elections this year, with government websites being a prime target for attackers.
In addition to government entities, the entertainment and financial services sectors have also been frequent victims of DDoS attacks, comprising 16% and 14% of incidents respectively.
One notable event was the Euro 2024 football championships, where a sports streaming service faced a massive 650 Gbp/s attack on June 16th. StormWall’s researchers also noted a rise in the size and complexity of botnets, with attacks targeting multiple IP addresses and layers of the OSI model simultaneously.
Looking ahead, StormWall anticipates a further increase in DDoS attacks in the second half of 2024, as more countries hold elections and geopolitical tensions escalate.
Significant DDoS Attacks in 2024
Already in 2024, we have witnessed major DDoS attacks targeting Microsoft’s online platforms and cloud systems. Security firm Radware reported a 265% increase in web DDoS attacks driven by geopolitical issues in the first half of the year.
James Bore, Managing Director of security consultants Bores Group, emphasizes the need for proactive security measures to combat the growing threat of DDoS attacks.
“With the increasing number of vulnerable connected devices, many constituent devices of botnets are unknown to their owners,” Bore stated. “Anti-DDoS measures can provide some protection, but attacks of ever-growing volumes will always be an increasing threat until we begin addressing the problem at the source.”
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and implement robust defense strategies to safeguard against the escalating threat of DDoS attacks.
Stay informed and stay protected.
Read more about defending against DDoS attacks: US Government Releases New DDoS Attack Guidance for Public Sector