DDoS attacks continue to be a major challenge in cybersecurity. Recent events, such as those on January 11 2025, have highlighted the importance of adopting effective strategies to protect digital infrastructure.
We discussed this in the last installment of CyberSnap, our video column dedicated to cybersecurity. In this article, we delve into these types of threats and the best solutions for dealing with them.
DDoS attacks on January 11, 2025
On January 11, 2025, pro-Russian and pro-Palestinian hacker groups launched a series of targeted attacks on government sites, strategic companies and Italian institutions. The affected sites include the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure and Transport, entities such as Consob, Carabinieri, Navy and Air Force (Source ANSA), banks such as Intesa Sanpaolo and Monte dei Paschi di Siena, strategic ports such as those of Taranto and Trieste, and companies (Source Sky TG24).
These attacks, based on the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) technique, caused slowdowns and temporary interruptions in the online services of many of the targets.
The actions were claimed by the groups NoName057(16) and Alixsec, which claimed to act for geopolitical reasons, such as Italian support for Ukraine during President Zelensky’s visit to Rome (Source Huffington Post).
How do DDoS attacks work?
A DDoS attack is comparable to a store overrun by thousands of people blocking the entrances without making any purchases. This type of attack aims to overload a site or network by sending a massive volume of artificial traffic, even to the point of causing it to temporarily shut down.
To do this, hackers use networks of compromised devices, known as botnets, to generate and send billions of simultaneous requests from all over the world, overloading target servers and rendering them unusable for hours.
These attacks primarily target:
- Government sites: to destabilize key institutions.
- Companies and banks: to disrupt critical operations and damage reputations.
- Critical infrastructure: such as hospitals and energy networks, with consequences that can jeopardize public safety.
What’s new in the DDoS attack landscape
In recent years, DDoS attacks have been growing in complexity, making prevention and counter operations more difficult.
Key emerging trends include multi-vector attacks, which combine different techniques to overcome traditional defenses and maximize impact. This is compounded by time-delayed campaigns, with intermittent attacks that can last for days or weeks, making detection and mitigation more difficult.
The spread of compromised IoT devices, such as surveillance cameras, home routers, and industrial sensors, has given hackers a broader base to create increasingly powerful botnets.
In addition, many recent attacks have been accompanied by public statements and propaganda campaigns, which amplify the emotional and media impact using social media and other digital platforms.
Advanced defense strategies
Protecting against DDoS attacks requires a proactive approach and the use of advanced technologies. Here are some of the most effective strategies:
1. Predictive analytics and advanced monitoring
Through the use of Artificial Intelligence, network traffic can be analyzed in real time and abnormal behavior can be predicted. Advanced predictive analysis tools can identify suspicious patterns before they turn into an attack.
2. Scalable cloud solutions
Cloud services such as Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) can absorb large amounts of malicious traffic and redistribute it without compromising business operations. These solutions are especially useful for companies that handle a high volume of global traffic.
3. State-of-the-art firewall
Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) integrate deep traffic inspection capabilities and advanced protection against DDoS threats. These tools can distinguish legitimate traffic from malicious traffic, minimizing the impact on operational environments.
4. Business continuity and disaster recovery plans
Un piano ben strutturato di business continuity e disaster recovery è essenziale per garantire la resilienza aziendale durante un attacco. Questi piani includono backup regolari, procedure di ripristino rapido e strategie per assicurare la continuità dei servizi essenziali.
5. Training and awareness
Staff training is a crucial component of corporate security. A well-trained team can recognize signs of attack and take preventive measures in a timely manner.
DDoS attacks are a real and evolving threat. However, by adopting the right technologies and implementing effective strategies, it is possible to mitigate their impact and ensure business continuity. Investing in advanced security solutions and maintaining a proactive approach is essential to protect digital assets and safeguard business.
Leading IT companies like Olidata are committed to providing advanced solutions to protect businesses and institutions from the ever-increasing cyber threats and help build a secure and resilient digital ecosystem.