Global DDoS Attacks Increased by 63% in 2023
According to StormWall, the number of DDoS attacks worldwide rose by 63% in 2023, as reported by Forbes Russia. Experts attribute the main cause of this surge in hacktivism to geopolitical factors, whose influence steadily increased and became especially noticeable in the fourth quarter, coinciding with the escalation of the conflict between Palestine and Israel in October.
The largest observed attack peaked at 1.4 Tbps. According to the study’s authors, this is roughly equivalent to the total daily internet traffic of a small country.
Leading Countries and Growth Trends
The United States continues to lead in the frequency of DDoS attacks, accounting for 12% of the global total, followed by China with 10.6% and India with 9.6%. Russia ranked seventh with 7.3%. The total number of DDoS attacks in Russia increased by 29% in 2023.
Analysts believe that the use of cyberwarfare in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has, in some ways, popularized attacks on government systems.
Most Targeted Sectors
Globally, the most targeted sectors were:
- Financial sector (26%)
- Government sector (21%)
- E-commerce (14%)
The situation in Russia mirrors the global trend, with 25% of attacks targeting finance, 21% government, and 18% e-commerce.
Key Features and Trends in 2023
This year’s attacks were notable for their increased duration, now lasting up to three days. Other significant trends include:
- Expansion of geographic reach, including the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and North Africa
- 108% increase in multi-vector attacks
- Sharp 108% rise in attacks on the government sector
- Increased focus on critical infrastructure such as transportation, energy, and government agencies
- Spike in attacks on online retail and entertainment sectors due to rapid digitalization
A notable trend in Russia was the use of mixed botnets composed of several types of malware.
Outlook and Response Measures
The issue of DDoS attacks remains highly relevant. In response, the Main Radio Frequency Center (GRChTs), which is overseen by Roskomnadzor, plans to establish a National System for Countering DDoS Attacks in March 2024, according to Security Vision CEO Ruslan Rakhmetov.