The Persistence of Mirai and DDoS Attacks

Clearly, Mirai isn’t going away anytime soon, if ever, nor are DDoS attacks. In fact, Cloudflare reported a 53% increase in DDoS threats in 2024 over 2023 and a whopping 1,885% surge in attacks exceeding 1 Tbps, dubbed “hyper-volumetric” DDoS attacks, between the third and fourth quarters of 2024.

Aquabot Advertised as DDoS-as-a-Service

Akamai’s researchers found that Aquabotv3’s creators have been advertising the botnet as DDoS as a service through platforms including Telegram, under different names including Cursinq Firewall, The Eye Services, and The Eye Botnet.

They pointed out that threat actors commonly assert that the botnet is not harmful, and only intended for DDoS mitigation testing purposes (or red teaming). “Threat actors will claim it’s just a proof of concept (PoC) or something educational, but a deeper analysis shows that they are in fact advertising DDoS as a service, or the owners are boasting about running their own botnet,” Lefton and Cashdollar wrote.

Implications and Concerns

The fact that Aquabotv3 is being advertised as DDoS-as-a-service raises significant concerns about the motivations and intentions of its creators. The botnet’s capabilities, combined with its potential for large-scale DDoS attacks, make it a serious threat to organizations and individuals alike.

As the DDoS threat landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential for security professionals and individuals to stay vigilant and adapt their defenses accordingly. This includes staying informed about emerging threats, such as Aquabotv3, and implementing robust security measures to mitigate potential attacks.

Conclusion

The persistence of Mirai and the growing threat of DDoS attacks underscore the importance of continued vigilance and awareness in the security community. As new threats like Aquabotv3 emerge, it’s crucial to remain proactive and responsive to these challenges. By doing so, we can work towards a safer and more secure online environment for everyone.

FAQs

Q: What is DDoS as a service?

A: DDoS as a service refers to the offering of DDoS attack capabilities, often through a botnet or other malicious platform, for individuals or organizations to use for nefarious purposes, such as extortion or disruption.

Q: How do DDoS attacks impact organizations?

A: DDoS attacks can cause significant disruptions to an organization’s online presence, leading to losses in revenue, reputation, and customer trust. They can also overwhelm network resources, making it difficult to conduct business or provide services.

Q: What are some common motivations behind DDoS attacks?

A: DDoS attacks can be motivated by a variety of factors, including financial gain, political or ideological agendas, and revenge or extortion. In the case of Aquabotv3, its creators are allegedly offering DDoS attack services for a fee.

Q: How can individuals and organizations protect themselves from DDoS attacks?

A: Individuals and organizations can protect themselves from DDoS attacks by implementing robust security measures, such as content delivery networks (CDNs), firewalls, and intrusion detection systems (IDS). Regularly monitoring network traffic and staying informed about emerging threats can also help to prevent and mitigate attacks.