Earlier this month, reports highlighted a massive 11.5Tbps DDoS attack — the largest on record at the time. However, that figure was quickly overshadowed this week when a new distributed denial-of-service strike reached an unprecedented 22.2Tbps, transmitting 10.6 billion packets per second. The assault, although lasting just 40 seconds, showcased the immense scale and power of today’s botnets.
Experts warn that as these malicious networks expand, future DDoS attacks will likely grow even more destructive, targeting vulnerable companies and platforms worldwide.
In another alarming case, the US Secret Service dismantled a rogue cellular network made up of more than 100,000 SIM cards. The network, which was spread across several physical sites, was strategically positioned ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York City.
Investigators revealed the operation aimed to carry out attacks against diplomats and officials, including DDoS campaigns, deepfaked calls, and even “swatting” attempts — where false bomb or violence threats are reported to law enforcement to provoke an armed response. Doxxing, exposing private personal details, was also among the threats.
These incidents serve as stark reminders of how critical it is to safeguard personal data. Yet, protecting your information is increasingly challenging in a digital economy where data brokers profit from collecting and selling detailed profiles.
Even everyday apps, from Duolingo to Candy Crush, harvest user data. On the positive side, individuals can take action by requesting data deletion directly from brokers or by using specialized personal data removal services.
