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Study finds almost anyone could order a DDoS cyber attack

Published on: 14 Feb 2020

New research has discovered that Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can be ordered online cheaply and easily - meaning almost anyone could have the crime committed.

Frankfurt-based internet exchange operator DE-CIX carried out the study in collaboration with an international team of scientists on the impact of DDoS and the effects of police countermeasures.

It was found that anyone online can use a so-called booter website to order a cyber attack for less than $20 (£15).

Furthermore, countermeasures from organisations including the FBI and Dutch police were found to be largely ineffective, with the frequency of attacks quickly back to their old levels even after an attempt at intervention.

The study found DDoS attacks against thousands of targets at all times of the day and night, demonstrating the relentless threat against firms that operate online.

DE-CIX research and development head Christoph Dietzel said: "Attacks of this kind can lead to both financial damage and damage to the company's image. That is why we will continue to conduct further research to combat this cyber crime in the future."

According to Imperva's annual Global DDoS Threat Landscape Report, most DDoS attacks in 2019 were directed at gaming and gambling companies, while firms in the computing and internet sectors came in third.