Record-Breaking DDoS Attack: 5.6 Tbps of Traffic in 80 Seconds

A New Challenge for Cybersecurity

On October 29, 2024, Cloudflare recorded the most powerful DDoS attack in history, with traffic peaking at 5.6 Tbps. The attack lasted just 80 seconds but posed a serious threat to an Asian internet provider. It was orchestrated by a Mirai-based botnet using 13,000 compromised devices.

Cloudflare assured that the attack did not impact the provider’s operations. The threat was neutralized thanks to a fully automated protection system.

Rising Frequency and Intensity of Attacks

Compared to the beginning of 2024, the number of high-intensity DDoS attacks has grown significantly. By Q4, such attacks regularly exceeded 1 Tbps, with their frequency increasing by 1885%.

Many attacks are short-lived—72% last less than 10 minutes, making detection difficult. Approximately 91% of network-layer attacks are over within this time frame.

These attacks often target telecommunications companies, service providers, and advertising agencies. The most affected regions include China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Germany.

New Threats from IoT Devices

Researchers at Trend Micro have identified a wave of attacks leveraging IoT devices. A new botnet, combining features of Mirai and Bashlite, is actively exploiting “smart devices” for cyberattacks.

Russia has also experienced several significant incidents. In October, a powerful attack with a peak of 1.73 Tbps targeted telecom operators. In November, the “Sibseti” provider suffered an attack that affected clients across several Siberian regions.

Experts warn that the number of attacks will continue to grow, emphasizing the critical need for constant automated protection systems.