In its latest report, Cloudflare reveals a concerning increase in cyber threats for 2024. Almost 7% (6.8%) of internet traffic is now considered malicious, up from last year. This alarming rise is driven by factors such as wars and elections, with many attacks targeting Western websites from pro-Russian groups like REvil, KillNet, and Anonymous Sudan.
Rapid Exploitation of Vulnerabilities
One of the most alarming trends is how quickly new vulnerabilities are being exploited. For instance, hackers tried to exploit a newly discovered software flaw just 22 minutes after it was publicly revealed. This means that by the time most businesses are aware of a new threat, hackers are already trying to take advantage of it.
The Surge in DDoS Attacks
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which overwhelm websites with traffic to take them offline, are a favorite tool among cybercriminals. In early 2024 alone, Cloudflare blocked 4.5 million unique DDoS attacks. These attacks are becoming not only more frequent but also more powerful. For example, last year, a DDoS attack reached an unprecedented level of traffic, three times higher than any previously observed attack. Google Cloud reported a similar attack with even more traffic than Wikipedia saw in an entire month, all within just two minutes.
Rising Threats to API Security
The report also highlights growing concerns about the security of APIs, which are used to connect different parts of websites and apps. With more and more web traffic being API-related, these interfaces are becoming prime targets for hackers. Surprisingly, many organizations don’t even know about all the APIs they are using, which poses a significant security risk.
Automated Bot Traffic
Cloudflare also found that about 38% of all web traffic comes from automated bots. While some bots are helpful, like those used for customer service, the majority are potentially harmful. These bad bots can buy up tickets for events or hoard popular items on retail websites, making them unavailable to real customers.
How to Protect Yourself
So, what can you do to protect against these threats? Here are some steps:
- Use Reputable Security Services: Companies like Cloudflare, Akamai, Fastly, and Varnish Software offer strong security services to protect your website and online data.
- Keep Software Updated: Always update your software to fix known vulnerabilities and stay ahead of hackers.
- Monitor APIs: Keep track of all the connections your website and apps use and secure them against potential threats.
- Block Malicious Bots: Implement measures to detect and block harmful bots while allowing helpful ones to operate.
- Be Cautious with Emails and Links: During times of high panic and urgency, be extra careful with unsolicited emails and links, as they might be attempts to trick you into giving away sensitive information.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest security news and best practices to protect your data and online presence.
In summary, being proactive is key. Waiting until after an attack occurs can lead to significant damage. Secure your website and online services to stay ahead of cybercriminals. Here is the link for the Cloudflare report.
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