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Showing posts with label DDOS Attack. Show all posts
News
Anti-DDoS Measures cyber attack DDOS Attack News

Massive 1Tbps DDoS Attack Cripples Online Betting Site, Exposes Industry’s Ongoing Cybersecurity Failures

 

An online betting company has been knocked offline by a colossal 1-terabit-per-second Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, exposing glaring weaknesses in the digital defences of the gambling industry. Reported by TechRadar, the attack unleashed a massive flood of junk traffic that overwhelmed the site’s infrastructure, rendering its services inaccessible for hours. 

What makes the incident more concerning is the lack of sophistication behind it—this wasn’t a complex, stealthy operation but rather a brute-force flood that succeeded purely through scale. Despite the growing prevalence of such attacks in recent years, many companies in high-risk sectors like online gambling continue to treat cybersecurity as an afterthought. 

With their operations heavily reliant on constant uptime and revenue tied to every second online, gambling platforms remain prime targets for attackers, yet many fail to invest in fundamental protections like cloud-based DDoS mitigation, real-time monitoring, and incident response planning. 

Cybersecurity experts are baffled by this ongoing negligence, especially when previous headline-grabbing attacks—such as the 1.3Tbps assault on GitHub in 2018 or AWS’s 2.3Tbps encounter in 2020—should have prompted serious change. 
Compounding the issue is the role of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), who continue to shy away from proactive upstream filtering, allowing these massive data floods to reach their targets unchecked. The financial impact of such downtime is severe, with potential losses not only in revenue but also in user trust, legal exposure, and long-term brand damage. 

Security professionals stress that effective DDoS defence requires more than just faith in hosting providers; it demands deliberate investment in scalable protection tools like AWS Shield, Cloudflare, or Akamai, along with robust infrastructure redundancy and tested incident response strategies. 

In 2025, DDoS attacks are no longer anomalies—they’re a constant threat woven into the fabric of the internet. Ignoring them is not cost-saving; it’s gambling with disaster.
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phishing
DDOS Attack Hackers IP Address Personal Data phishing

Shocking Ways Hackers Can Exploit Your IP Address – You’re Not as Safe as You Think




Your IP address may look like a long number row, but to a hacker, it can be an instrument of evil activity. While your exposure to an IP doesn't pose an immediate danger per se, it is thus important to understand what a hacker can do with it. Let's break down how cybercriminals can exploit an IP and how you can keep it safe.

Determining Your Broad Area of Location

The very first thing a hacker will easily know once he has obtained your IP address is your general area of location. He can find out your city or region using even simple online tools such as IP tracking websites. Of course, he won't pinpoint the street number but can already pinpoint your general area or location which may trigger other related hacking attempts such as phishing attacks. Hackers would use your address and ISP to dupe you through social engineering.

IP Spoofing: Identity Mimicry Online

The hacker can manipulate the IP addresses and make it seem like the actions they are performing are coming from your device. In this method, which is known as IP spoofing, hackers perpetrate various illegal activities while concealing identities. Many people employ IP spoofing in DDoS attacks whereby hackers inject tremendous amounts of traffic into a network to actually shut it down. Using your IP address during this attack may keep them undetected while they wreck the damage.

Selling Your IP Address

One seems minute, but hackers sell bundles of thousands of IP addresses in bulk across the dark web, and those addresses can be used in large-scale social engineering projects that lead to data theft. Used with other personal data, your IP address can be a wonderful commodity in some hacker's arsenal, allowing them to crack into almost any online account.

Scanning for Further Information

Using this method, and with the use of such tools as Nmap, hackers can not only obtain your IP but also uncover which OS your machine is running, applications that are installed, and open ports. If vulnerabilities exist in your system, they can launch specific attacks on those particular weaknesses, which will then allow them to get into your network, and even control your devices.

A DDoS attack

Although it is seldom that DDoS attacks any user, hackers can use your IP to attack you using DDoS, which will turn your device into a traffic flooder and take it offline. Such attacks are usually employed in larger organisations, although those engaging in activities such as online gaming and other competitive activities are also at risk. For instance, some players have used DDoS attacks to cut off their opponents' internet.

How to Hide Your IP Address

The likelihood that someone actually targeted you may be low, but this is equally as important to adhere to these safety precaution guidelines. With a virtual private network or a proxy server, your public IP address remains hidden, which makes it extremely hard for hackers to find and take advantage of it. It can also protect your devices by updating them as regularly as possible and using firewalls.

It is important to note that knowing an IP address doesn't give hackers total control over your system. However, it can be part of a scheme that encourages them to come closer to extracting more personal information or conducting attacks. However, usually there's little chance that someone would go out of his way to harm you using just your IP address; still, you can never be too safe. Securing the network and masking the IP simply reduces these risks from IP-based attacks.

Care needs to be taken, and preventative measures need to be in place so that nobody would use those malpractices against you.


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US Elections
Cyber Attacks DDOS Attack Pro-Palestine Group Social Media Hack US Elections

Pro-Palestine Outfit Takes Responsibility for Hacking Donald Trump-Elon Musk Interview

 

During a conversation between billionaire Elon Musk and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Musk's social media platform X, technical issues occurred that Musk claimed were caused by a DDoS attack.

The discussion was significant since it was Trump's high-profile comeback to X following his 2021 Twitter ban in the wake of the Capitol rioting. In addition, Musk has been a big supporter of Trump as a candidate for the US presidency, thus inviting the former president to speak on his platform was a noteworthy choice that drew attention. 

What unfolded during the interview?

Less than 20 minutes into the much-anticipated interview, Musk announced that the social media site had been struck by a massive distributed denial of service attack. 

DDoS is an assault on a platform that tries to bring it down by overloading it with too many enquiries in too short a time. Many of the queries are pointless because the goal is to drive excessive traffic to the platform, causing it to eventually fail. 

 L“There appears to be a massive DDoS attack on 𝕏. Working on shutting it down. Worst case, we will proceed with a smaller number of live listeners and post the conversation later,” Musk posted on X on August 13 at 5:48 am IST. He later confirmed this, promising that an unedited audio version will be available soon. 

Who is behind the DDoS incident? 

Palestinian rights 'hacktivists' took responsibility for the attack, claiming their boasts were a ploy to bolster their activism message.

“Rippersec is a pro-Palestine hacktivist group who conducts DDoS attacks motivated by geopolitical events,” digital security writer CyberKnow posted to X. “The group like many hacktivist groups also thrives off attention,' the writer warned, “making it easy for them to claim this to improve credibility and reputation.” 

However, researchers from XLab, China's cybersecurity research and threat analysis department, claimed they had discovered solid evidence to the contrary, setting out their case for a proven DDoS attack in a report on Wednesday. 

“We identified four Mirai botnet C2s (command and controllers) involved in the attack. Additionally, other attack groups also participated using methods like HTTP proxy attacks,” the firm's researchers reported in a blog post. 

'Mirai' is a type of malicious code that converts internet-connected Linux-based devices into remotely controlled 'zombies' for a 'botnet' army.

In a 'HTTP proxy attack,' hackers intercept and modify online communication between sites, servers, and computers, either to steal confidential data or to change the content for a number of purposes. 

“The attack lasted from 8:37am to 9:28am Beijing time [8:37–9:28pm Eastern],' XLab noted, 'which closely matches the delay durations in the start time of the interview. Our analysis indicates that the attack did occur,” their report summed it up. 

As evidence of its findings, the firm shared screenshots of a social media channel called 'UglyBotnet' in which one anonymous user appeared to claim responsibility for the attack. 

Has such an outage occurred before? 

Rhis is not the first time that an X event has been disrupted by technical troubles. A Twitter Spaces event with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in May 2023 was delayed and had difficulties, which Musk blamed on "straining" systems. 

When Musk bought Twitter in 2022, he began removing key teams and professionals who had kept the old social media network running. Many customers criticised his decision on the new platform's history of outages. Musk, in turn, criticised Twitter and its code stack for being "brittle.”
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Germany
botnet Golang C2 Server Cyber Security Cyber Threats DDOS Attack DNS Germany

New Golang-Based Botnet 'Zergeca' Discovered


 

Researchers at QiAnXin XLab have found a new and dangerous botnet called Zergeca. This botnet, written in the Go programming language (Golang), can launch powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which can overwhelm and shut down targeted websites or services.

How Zergeca Was Discovered

In May 2024, researchers came across a suspicious file uploaded from Russia to a security website called VirusTotal. This file, located at /usr/bin/geomi, had a unique identifier but wasn't marked as harmful. Another similar file was uploaded from Germany on the same day. This led experts to discover that these files were part of a new botnet, which they named Zergeca, inspired by a string in its code that reminded them of the Zerg creatures from the video game StarCraft.

Zergeca is capable of six different types of DDoS attacks. It also has additional features, such as acting as a proxy, scanning networks, upgrading itself, staying persistent on infected devices, transferring files, providing remote access, and collecting sensitive information from compromised devices. One unique aspect of Zergeca is its use of multiple DNS resolution methods, preferring DNS over HTTPS (DoH) for communicating with its command and control (C2) server. It also uses an uncommon library called Smux for encrypted communication.

The C2 server used by Zergeca has been linked to at least two other botnets named Mirai since September 2023. This suggests that the creator of Zergeca has prior experience with running botnets.

Between early and mid-June 2024, Zergeca was used to carry out DDoS attacks on organisations in Canada, the United States, and Germany. The primary attack method used was known as ackFlood. Victims of these attacks were spread across multiple countries and different internet networks.

Zergeca operates through four main modules: persistence, proxy, silivaccine, and zombie. The persistence module ensures the botnet stays active on infected devices, while the proxy module manages proxying tasks. The silivaccine module removes any competing malware, ensuring that Zergeca has full control of the device. The zombie module is the most critical, as it carries out the botnet's main functions, including DDoS attacks, scanning, and reporting information back to the C2 server.

To stay active, Zergeca adds a system service called geomi.service on infected devices. This service ensures that the botnet process restarts automatically if the device reboots or the process is stopped.

Researchers have gained insights into the skills of Zergeca’s creator. The use of techniques like modified file packing, XOR encryption, and DoH for C2 communication shows a deep understanding of how to evade detection. The implementation of the Smux protocol demonstrates advanced development skills. Given these abilities, researchers expect to see more sophisticated threats from this author in the future.

The discovery of Zergeca highlights the increasing intricacy of cyber threats. Organisations must remain vigilant and adopt strong security measures to protect against such advanced attacks. The detailed analysis of Zergeca provides valuable information on the capabilities and tactics of modern botnets, emphasising the need for continuous monitoring and proactive defence strategies in cybersecurity.


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UAE
cyber threat DDOS Attack Middle East Sensitive data Technology UAE

UAE Takes Measures to Strengthen Cybersecurity in the META Region

 



The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is emerging as a beacon of innovation and technological advancement in the Middle East, and its commitment to cybersecurity is a vital element in shaping its hyper-connected future. As the UAE's digital footprint expands, so too does the potential for cyberattacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure and compromise sensitive data.

Recent statistics reveal a concerning increase in the UAE's vulnerability to cyber threats, including ransomware and DDoS attacks. In a joint report by the UAE government and CPX security, it was found that nearly 155,000 vulnerable points exist within the UAE, with Dubai being the most concentrated area. Insider attacks, where individuals within organizations misuse their access to steal data, are also a growing concern as the country embraces cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

The financial implications of data breaches in the Middle East have also surged, with the region ranking second only to the US in terms of breach costs. The average cost of a data breach in the Middle East exceeded $8 million in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures. However, a critical gap remains, as nearly a quarter of oil and gas companies and government entities in the region lack dedicated cybersecurity teams.


The UAE is actively addressing these challenges through a multi-pronged approach to enhance its cybersecurity shield. Here are the top cybersecurity trends shaping the UAE's digital landscape in 2024:

1. Advanced Threat Detection: The UAE recognizes the limitations of traditional security methods and is investing in advanced threat detection systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and behavioural analytics. This approach enables real-time identification and response to sophisticated cyber threats.

2. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Enhanced Security: The UAE is forging partnerships between the government and private sector to create a united front against cyber threats. Collaborations with organisations like the UN's ITU and leading cybersecurity firms demonstrate a commitment to sharing expertise and resources.

3. Cloud Security on the Rise: With the increasing reliance on cloud storage and processing, the UAE is experiencing a surge in cloud security solutions. This growth is driven by investments from cloud service providers, proactive government measures, and the need for enhanced protection against cyberattacks.

4. Cybersecurity Education and Training: The UAE is investing in cybersecurity education and training programs to equip professionals with the necessary skills to combat cyber threats. From specialised courses in universities to workshops for businesses, there is a concerted effort to build a strong cybersecurity workforce in the country.

5. Zero Trust Security Model Gaining Traction: The adoption of the zero-trust security model is growing in the UAE as businesses move away from traditional network perimeters. This model constantly verifies users and devices before granting access to resources, offering enhanced security in a more open, cloud-based environment.

6. Regulatory Compliance: The UAE has implemented stringent cybersecurity regulations to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive data. Adhering to these regulations is mandatory for organisations operating in the country, ensuring a baseline level of cybersecurity.

7. Quantum Cryptography: The UAE is investing in the research and development of quantum cryptography technologies to protect against future cyber threats posed by quantum computers. This cutting-edge approach leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to secure communications.

8. Focus on Critical Infrastructure Protection: Protecting critical infrastructure is a top priority in the META region, with specific measures being implemented to safeguard sectors such as energy, transportation, and healthcare systems. These measures are essential for maintaining national security and ensuring the continuity of essential services.

9. Growth of Cybersecurity Startups and Innovations: The META region is witnessing a surge in cybersecurity startups that are developing tailored solutions to address regional needs. Initiatives like Dubai's Innovation Hub and Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity accelerators are nurturing a conducive environment for these startups to thrive.

10. Cyber Threat Intelligence Sharing: Sharing cyber threat intelligence is increasingly important in the META region. Governments and organisations are establishing platforms for real-time sharing of threat information, enhancing collective cybersecurity defence.

As the UAE continues to advance in AI, PPPs, and cloud security, the question remains whether these advancements will stay ahead of the ever-evolving tactics of cybercriminals. The future of cybersecurity depends on the UAE's ability to adopt cutting-edge solutions and anticipate and adapt to the next wave of threats. 


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Technology
Broader Gateway Protocol DDOS Attack Facebook Meta Technical Glitch Technology

Technical Glitch Causes Global Disruption for Meta Users

 


In a recent setback for Meta users, a widespread service outage occurred on March 5th, affecting hundreds of thousands worldwide. Meta's spokesperson, Andy Stone, attributed the disruption to a "technical issue," apologising for any inconvenience caused.

Shortly after the incident, multiple hacktivist groups, including Skynet, Godzilla, and Anonymous Sudan, claimed responsibility. However, cybersecurity firm Cyberint revealed that the disruption might have been a result of a cyberattack, as abnormal traffic patterns indicative of a DDoS attack were detected.

The outage left Facebook and Instagram users unable to access the platforms, with many being inexplicably logged out. Some users, despite entering correct credentials, received "incorrect password" messages, raising concerns about a potential hacking event. Both desktop and mobile users, totaling over 550,000 on Facebook and 90,000 on Instagram globally, were impacted.

This isn't the first time Meta (formerly Facebook) faced such issues. In late 2021, a six-hour outage occurred when the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routes were withdrawn, effectively making Facebook servers inaccessible. The BGP functions like a railroad switchman, directing data packets' paths, and the absence of these routes caused a communication breakdown.

As the outage unfolded, users found themselves abruptly logged out of the platform, exacerbating the inconvenience. The disruption's ripple effect triggered concerns among users, with fears of a potential cyberattack amplifying the chaos.

It's worth noting that hacktivist groups often claim responsibility for disruptions they may not have caused, aiming to boost their perceived significance and capabilities. In this case, the true source of the disruption remains under investigation, and Meta continues to work on strengthening its systems against potential cyber threats.

In the contemporary sphere of technology, where service interruptions have become more prevalent, it is vital for online platforms to educate themselves on cybersecurity measures. Users are urged to exercise vigilance and adhere to best practices in online security, thus effectively mitigating the repercussions of such incidents.

This incident serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of online platforms and the potential vulnerabilities that arise from technical glitches or malicious activities. Meta assures users that they are addressing the issue promptly and implementing measures to prevent future disruptions.

As the digital world persists in evolution, users and platforms alike must adapt to the dynamic landscape, emphasising the importance of cybersecurity awareness and resilient systems to ensure a secure online experience for all.




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Threat Landscape
Cyber space DDOS Attack Security Framework Technology Threat Landscape

Here's Why Robust Space Security Framework is Need of the Hour

 

Satellite systems are critical for communication, weather monitoring, navigation, Internet access, and numerous other purposes. These systems, however, suffer multiple challenges that jeopardise their security and integrity. To tackle these challenges, we must establish a strong cybersecurity framework to safeguard satellite operations.

Cyber threats to satellites 

Satellite systems suffer a wide range of threats, including denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and malware infiltration, as well as unauthorised access and damage triggered by other objects in their orbit that hinder digital communications. 

For satellite systems, these major threats can distort sensor systems, resulting in harmful actions based on inaccurate data. For example, a faulty sensor system could cause a satellite's orbit path to collide with another satellite or natural space object. If a sensor system fails, it may result in the failure of other space and terrestrial systems that rely on it. Jamming or sending unauthorised satellite guidance and control commands has the potential to destroy other orbiting space spacecraft.

DoS attacks can lead satellites to become unresponsive or, worse, shut down. Satellite debris fallout could pose a physical safety risk and damage to other countries' space vehicles or the earth. Malware installed within systems via insufficiently secured access points may have an influence on the satellite and spread to other systems with which it communicates. 

Many of the 45,000 satellites have been in service for years and have minimal (if any) built-in cybersecurity protection. Consider the Vanguard 1 (1958 Beta 2), a small, solar-powered satellite that orbits Earth. It was launched by the United States on March 17, 1958, and is the oldest satellite still orbiting the earth.

Given potential risks that satellites face, a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is required to mitigate such risks. Engineering universities and tech organisations must also work with government agencies and other entities that design and build satellites to develop and execute a comprehensive cybersecurity, privacy, and resilience framework to regulate industries that are expanding their use of space vehicles. 

Cybersecurity framework

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) outlines five critical processes for mitigating common threats, including those related with satellite systems: identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover.

Identify

First, identify the satellite data, individuals, personnel, systems, and facilities that support the satellite's uses goals, and objectives. Document the location of each satellite, as well as the links between each satellite component and other systems. Knowing which data is involved and how it is encrypted can help with contingency, continuity, and disaster recovery planning. Finally, understand your risk landscape and any elements that may affect the mission so that you can plan for and avoid potential incidents. This information will aid in the successful management of cybersecurity risk for satellite systems and its associated components, assets, data, and capabilities. 

Protect

Using the recently identified data, choose, develop, and implement the satellite's security ecosystem to best protect all of its components and associated services. Be aware that traditional space operations and vehicles typically rely on proprietary software and hardware that were not intended for a highly networked satellite, cyber, and data environment. As a result, legacy components may lack certain security measures. As a result, create, design, and use verification procedures to prevent loss of assurance or functionality in satellite systems' physical, logical, and ground parts, as well as to allow for response to and recovery from cybersecurity incidents. To protect satellite systems, physical and logical components must be secured, access limits monitored, and cybersecurity training made available.

Detect 

Create and implement relevant actions to monitor satellite systems, connections, and physical components for unforeseen incidents and alert users and applications of their detection. Use monitoring to spot anomalies within space components, and put in place a strategy for dealing with them. Use many sensors and sources to correlate events, monitor satellite information systems, and maintain access to ground segment facilities in order to detect potential security breaches. 

Respond

Take appropriate actions to mitigate the impact of a cybersecurity attack or unusual incident on a satellite system, ground network, or digital ecosystem. Cybersecurity teams should inform key stakeholders regarding the incident and its implications. They should also put in place systems for responding to and mitigating new, known, and anticipated threats or vulnerabilities, as well as continuously improving these processes based on lessons learned. 

Recover 

Create and implement necessary activities to preserve cybersecurity and resilience, as well as to restore any capabilities or services that have been impaired as a result of a cybersecurity event. The objectives are to quickly restore satellite systems and associated components to normal functioning, return the organisation to its appropriate operational state, and prevent the same type of incident from recurring.

As our world continues to rely on satellite technology, cyber threats will emerge and adapt. It is critical to safeguard these systems by developing a comprehensive cybersecurity framework that outlines the way to design, create, and operate them. Such a structure enables organisations to respond effectively to incidents, recover swiftly from interruptions, and remain ahead of potential threats.
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Threat Landscape
Cyber Crime DDOS Attack Online Security Online Traffic Threat Landscape

Hackers are Launching DDoS Attacks During Peak Business Hours

 

Threat groups' tactics to avoid detection and cause harm are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Many security practitioners have seen distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks carried out during peak business hours, when firms are more likely to be understaffed and caught off guard.

DDoS attacks are a year-round threat, but we've seen an increase in attacks around the holiday season. Microsoft mitigated an average of 1,435 assaults per day in 2022. These attacks peaked on September 22, 2022, with roughly 2,215 documented attacks, and continued at a greater volume until the last week of December. From June to August, the number of attacks were reduced.

One reason for this trend could be that many organisations operate with fewer security staff and limited resources to monitor their networks and apps during the holidays. The huge volume of traffic and income made by organisations during this peak business season make this time of year even more tempting to attackers. 

Cybercriminals frequently take advantage of this opportunity to carry out lucrative attacks at a low cost. A DDoS assault can be ordered via a DDoS subscription service for as little as $5 under a cybercrime-as-a-service business model. In the meantime, small and medium-sized businesses spend an average of $120,000 to restore services and manage operations during a DDoS attack. 

With this knowledge, security teams can take preemptive steps to fight against DDoS assaults during busy business seasons. Continue reading to find out how. 

Understanding the varieties of DDoS attacks 

Before we can discuss how to protect against DDoS attacks, we must first comprehend what they are. DDoS attacks are classified into three groups, each with its own set of cyberattacks. Attackers can utilise a variety of attack types against a network, including those from distinct categories. 

The first type of attack is a volumetric attack. This type of attack focuses on bandwidth and is intended to overload the network layer with traffic. A domain name server (DNS) amplification attack, which leverages open DNS servers to flood a target with DNS answer traffic, is one example.

Then there are protocol attacks. This category primarily targets resources by exploiting flaws in the protocol stack's Layers 3 and 4. A protocol attack may be a synchronisation packet flood (SYN) attack, which uses all available server resources, rendering the server unusable. 

The last type of DDoS assault is resource layer attacks. This category is meant to disrupt data flow between hosts by targeting Web application packets. Consider an HTTP/2 Rapid Reset attack, for example. In this case, the attack delivers a predetermined amount of HTTP requests followed by RST_STREAM. This pattern is then repeated to produce a large volume of traffic on the targeted HTTP/2 servers.
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