Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have become an increasingly prevalent threat in the cybersecurity landscape, with a significant rise in both frequency and intensity. The first half of 2024 has shown that DDoS attacks are evolving in complexity, making them more difficult to detect and mitigate. This blog explores the latest trends in DDoS attacks, highlights the methods used by attackers, and discusses how NVIS AI can help organizations defend against these threats.

DDoS attack trends in 2024

DDoS attacks, which flood a target with traffic to disrupt its services, have become more sophisticated and damaging. The year 2023 witnessed a doubling of DDoS attacks compared to 2022, with attacks becoming more frequent and larger in scale. The largest attack in 2023 reached a staggering 1Tbps, targeting an organization in the Support Services sector. This trend has continued into 2024, with attackers increasingly targeting IoT devices to create larger and more powerful botnets.

Key trends and observations:

Rise of hacktivism:

Geopolitical tensions have fueled the growth of hacktivism, with politically motivated individuals launching DDoS attacks to make their voices heard. Countries like the USA, France, and the UK have seen significant spikes in DDoS activity related to global events.

Increase in attack size and complexity:

DDoS attacks are not only becoming more frequent but also more complex. Attackers are using multiple vectors to overwhelm defenses, combining traditional volumetric attacks with more sophisticated application-layer attacks.

Emergence of new botnets:

The first half of 2024 has seen the rise of new botnets, such as the Mozi botnet, which have been built using vulnerabilities in IoT devices. These botnets are capable of launching various types of DDoS attacks, including HTTP, TCP, and UDP floods.

Exploitation of HTTP/2 protocol:

New vulnerabilities in the HTTP/2 protocol have been discovered, allowing attackers to generate hyper-volumetric DDoS attacks. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they affect all implementations of the protocol, making them difficult to mitigate.

DNS query attacks:

DNS query attacks, such as NXDOMAIN attacks, have become the most common DDoS vector, accounting for a significant portion of attacks in 2023. These attacks overload DNS servers with requests for non-existent domains, disrupting the ability of legitimate users to access services.

The threat of DDoS-as-a-service

A large portion of DDoS traffic originates from DDoS-as-a-Service platforms, run by organized crime groups. Despite global law enforcement efforts to take down these platforms, new ones quickly emerge, keeping the threat alive. The ease with which attackers can launch DDoS attacks through these services means that organizations of all sizes are at risk.

Regional and industry-specific insights

Different regions and industries experience varying levels of DDoS activity. The Software and Computer Services industry was the most attacked in 2023, followed closely by Telecommunications and Support Services. The Banking and Financial Services industries also saw a significant increase in DDoS attacks, with many attacks targeting the protocol layer.

The growing complexity of mitigation

As DDoS attacks evolve, so too must the methods used to defend against them. Traditional mitigation strategies, such as network firewalls and intrusion detection systems, are often insufficient to handle the scale and complexity of modern DDoS attacks. Organizations need more advanced solutions that can adapt to the changing threat landscape.

How NVIS AI can eliminate DDoS attacks

Given the evolving nature of DDoS attacks, organizations must adopt more sophisticated security measures. NVIS AI offers a comprehensive solution that addresses the key challenges posed by modern DDoS attacks.

1. No public attack surface:

   Unlike traditional security solutions, NVIS AI does not expose any public IP addresses, making it impossible for attackers to locate and target the network. This significantly reduces the risk of DDoS attacks and other cyber threats.

2. Layer 2 encryption:

   NVIS AI uses end-to-end encryption at Layer 2, hiding not only the traffic but also the source and destination of communications. This makes it extremely difficult for attackers to intercept or disrupt the data being transmitted.

3. Universal connectivity:

   NVIS AI ensures that all network resources, whether on-premises, in the cloud, or at the edge, are securely connected. This eliminates the risk of VPN blockers and other issues that can compromise traditional security solutions.

4. No logs for enhanced privacy:

   NVIS AI does not collect or store user information, preventing the exploitation of data through logging practices. This enhances privacy and reduces the risk of data breaches.

Conclusion

As DDoS attacks continue to grow in frequency and complexity, traditional security measures are no longer sufficient. Organizations need to adopt advanced solutions like NVIS AI that offer a more robust and comprehensive defense against these threats. By eliminating the public attack surface, providing end-to-end encryption, and simplifying network management, NVIS AI ensures that organizations can protect themselves from the evolving DDoS landscape.

To protect your organization from the rising threat of DDoS attacks, consider implementing NVIS AI's advanced security solution. Schedule a demo or contact our team of experts today.