Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks have been on the rise for some time, but they were particularly prolific in the first half of 2014, according to a new report.
Security provider Arbor Networks found that the most volumetric DDoS attacks ever occurred in recent months. That includes more than 100 events over 100Gbps, and almost 5,800 20Gbps attacks, more than double the approximately 2,600 in all of 2013.
"The theme for DDoS attacks in the first half of 2014 was volume, volume, volume," Arbor Networks said in a blog post.
The largest reported attack in the second quarter was a 154Gbps attack targeted at Spain.
"The frequency of very large attacks continues to be an issue, and organizations should take an integrated, multi-layered approach to protection," Darren Anstee, Arbor Networks director of solutions architects, said in a statement. "Even organizations with significant amounts of Internet connectivity can now see the capacity exhausted relatively easily by the attacks that are going on out there."
Take it from someone who knows the consequences of a DDoS attack: CodeSpaces.com closed its doors last month, following a security breach that began with a distributed denial-of-service event, and ended 12 hours later after an attempt to extort money from the company.
Popular Web and mobile services Feedly and Evernote also had their share of DDoS tomfoolery recently.
Anyone with an Internet connection can keep an eye on the top daily DDoS attacks worldwide, via Arbor's colorful Digital Attack Map. Unsurprisingly, the site highlights the U.S. as the most attacked country, while China leads as the most active source.
