Internet Under Siege: Cyberattacks Soar in 2024
Discover how cybercriminals are weaponizing the internet and what you can do to stay protected.
By Nora Belle || Senior Author of ADM
5 min read || August 09, 2024
The Sobering State of Online Security
The digital world, once seen as a boundless realm of opportunity, is increasingly becoming a battleground. A recent report by Cloudflare, a leading content delivery network and security services company, paints a stark picture of the internet’s threat landscape in 2024. The findings are alarming: a full 6.8% of all internet traffic is now classified as malicious, a significant increase from the previous year.
This surge in cyberattacks can be attributed to several factors, including ongoing geopolitical tensions. Pro-Russian hacktivist groups, such as REvil, KillNet, and Anonymous Sudan, have intensified their targeting of Western websites, exploiting the digital realm as a weapon in their arsenal.
The Speed of Exploitation: A Ticking Time Bomb
One of the most concerning aspects of the current threat landscape is the rapid pace at which vulnerabilities are exploited. A prime example is the JetBrains TeamCity DevOps authentication bypass vulnerability, which was exploited by attackers within a mere 22 minutes of the proof-of-concept code being released. This alarming speed highlights the critical importance of swift vulnerability patching.
Zero-day exploits, vulnerabilities unknown to software vendors, pose an even greater challenge. In 2023 alone, Google reported a staggering 97 zero-day exploits being used in the wild. This underscores the need for heightened vigilance and proactive security measures. Cybercriminals often target systems with known vulnerabilities, making it imperative for organizations to prioritize patching and software updates.
The Persistent Threat of DDoS Attacks
While the nature of cyberattacks evolves, DDoS attacks remain a persistent menace. These attacks, which aim to overwhelm a system with traffic, continue to be a cybercriminal’s weapon of choice, accounting for over 37% of all mitigated traffic. The sheer scale of these attacks is staggering. Cloudflare alone blocked 4.5 million unique DDoS attacks in the first quarter of 2024, a nearly threefold increase compared to the previous year.
Moreover, the sophistication of DDoS attacks is on the rise. A massive HTTP/2 Rapid Reset DDoS attack, peaking at an astonishing 201 million requests per second (RPS), was successfully mitigated by Cloudflare in August 2023. This attack, also reported by Google Cloud to have reached 398 million RPS, underscores the immense power wielded by cybercriminals.
The Growing Importance of API Security
As organizations increasingly rely on APIs to power their digital services, the security of these interfaces has become paramount. With 60% of dynamic web traffic now API-related, these endpoints have become prime targets for attackers. The rapid growth of API traffic, double that of traditional web traffic, exacerbates the risk.
A significant challenge lies in the fact that many organizations are unaware of a substantial portion of their API endpoints. This lack of visibility makes it difficult to secure these critical assets. Furthermore, the increasing reliance on third-party scripts and connections introduces additional vulnerabilities. The Polyfill.io JavaScript incident, affecting over 380,000 websites, serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of third-party dependencies.
The Bot Menace: A Silent Threat
Automated bots, while serving legitimate purposes in some cases, pose a significant threat to online security and user experience. Approximately 38% of all HTTP requests processed by Cloudflare are generated by bots, and a concerning 93% of these bots are potentially malicious.
The impact of malicious bots is far-reaching. They are often employed to scrape websites, steal personal information, and disrupt online services. Consumers are also victims of bot-driven activities, such as ticket scalping and product shortages. The infamous case of Taylor Swift ticket sales highlights the devastating effects of bots on consumers.
Protecting Yourself in a Hostile Digital Landscape
Given the escalating threat landscape, both individuals and organizations must adopt a proactive approach to security. For businesses, investing in robust website and network security solutions, such as those offered by Cloudflare, Akamai, Fastly, and Varnish Software, is essential. Additionally, partnering with software supply chain security companies like Anchore, Codenotary, and Chainguard can help protect critical code.
Individuals can safeguard themselves by staying informed about the latest threats, practicing good online hygiene, and using reputable security software. It’s also crucial to be wary of phishing attempts, suspicious emails, and unsolicited links.
The internet, while offering unparalleled opportunities, is increasingly becoming a dangerous place. By understanding the evolving threat landscape and taking appropriate measures, individuals and organizations can mitigate risks and protect their digital assets.
