International. Data presented by Atlas VPN reveals that the total number of DDoS attacks increased by approximately 24% in the third quarter of 2021, reaching record levels globally. In addition, the total number of smart attacks (sophisticated DDoS attacks that are frequently attacked) increased by 31%.
Characteristically, the third quarter of the year is relatively quiet in terms of DDoS (denial of service) attacks. This year, however, the pattern is completely different, as the volume of attacks reached record levels.
The data for the report is provided by Kaspersky. The company collected DDoS attack data from its users to provide a clear view of the current threat landscape.
The data reveals that the total volume of DDoS attacks grew by 23.64% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020. Similarly, smart attacks increased by 14.29% in the second quarter of 2021 and by 31.43% in the third quarter of 2021.
The number of daily DDoS attacks was especially high in the third quarter, reaching record levels since the first quarter of 2015. By July, the average daily count of DDoS attacks had exceeded 1,000. In addition, Kaspersky recorded an all-time high of 8,825 attacks on August 18.
The jumps are especially noticeable because DDoS botnet activity is increasing along with the cryptocurrency market. These two areas have been competing for computing power because many botnets can be used for both DDoS and crypto mining.
High cryptocurrency prices generally pushed away the ability of denial-of-service attacks, but in the third quarter of 2021, we see a different pattern.
DDoS services are in high demand and a prolonged supply shortfall has likely led to a price increase, making it profitable for botnet operators to restart attacks. As a result, the DDoS market appears to be returning to its growth rate of late 2019.
USA, the most attacked by botnets
Perhaps little to no surprise to most people, the United States is the most targeted of DDoS attacks globally. Attacks in the U.S. accounted for 40.80% of total threat volume in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 4.80% over the second quarter.
Source: AtlasVPN.
