Cyber-Security

Will Mobile DDoS Attacks Become More Common?

Will Mobile DDoS Attacks Become More Common?

As we live in an increasingly connected world, many of us are all too aware of how important it is to protect our personal and business details in the digital space, including keeping the software on our computers up to date.

However, following the recent mobile DDoS attack, WireX, it’s now crucial we’re upping the security on our smartphones, too.

How the Mobile DDoS Attack Unfolded

In August of this year, over 70,000 mobile phones across more than 100 countries were taken over by WireX in order to carry out DDoS (Distributed Denial of Services) attacks. The botnet targeted Androids and was able to take over this vast number of mobiles through affected apps, which remained undetected until the attacks took place. By this time, the malware was already deeply embedded in the everyday apps of these mobile users. The attacks then took certain targets offline using huge amounts of data that overwhelmed their servers, freezing them in the process. Some even demanded ransoms.

Also see: All You Need to Know About DDoS and DoS Attacks

Over 300 apps were removed from the Google Play app in fear they were infected, with a number of different industries being targeted by these types of attacks.

What Industries Are Targeted?

No industry is safe from DDoS attacks, but gaming networks are often susceptible. For example, during Labour Day weekend, the America’s Cardroom’s Winning Poker Network was targeted by a number of DDoS attacks. This disrupted their services and cut players off from mobile poker games and tournaments. The intention of the attack isn’t clear. Some suggest it could have been a money-making scam, but, thankfully, it was soon mitigated and all of the affected players were appropriately compensated.

ACR was praised for how it communicated with players throughout the attacks, keeping them regularly informed on social media before providing them with the aforementioned compensation. And this perhaps provides the key to overcoming these attacks in the future, as the risk of more occurring remains high.

Are We at Risk of More DDoS Attacks in the Future?

WireX is an example of how botnets that were originally intended for spam and click-fraud purposes are now being used to instigate DDoS attacks. And, unfortunately, this is a sign of things to come, with many experts warning of a ‘significant growth’ in the use of mobile devices in these malicious DDoS attacks.

However, companies who are able to implement a number of strategies within their ancillary supporting services, service/application delivery stacks and network infrastructure will be able to continue delivering their services and retain their availability, even if they’re faced with an attack. By being well prepared, botnets of all types that are used in DDoS attacks, e.g. WireX, will be mitigated moving forwards.

It’s also crucial for mobile users to remain one step ahead with their online security, keeping software up to date and remaining vigilant when it comes to downloading apps onto their devices. This, alongside the efforts of organizations and digital security companies, should help thwart any further attempts to create a WireX-inspired attack.

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