DDoS attacks continue to pose major cyber threats to organizations worldwide, with the average incident now costing companies over $400,000. Here's a look at 10 of the most notable DDoS attacks that made headlines and changed software security practices:
1. AWS Mega-Attack (2020)
Amazon Web Services faced an unprecedented 2.3 Tbps attack spanning three days. Through robust infrastructure, AWS successfully defended against what was then the largest recorded DDoS assault.
2. Google's Silent Battle (2017)
Google thwarted a massive 2.5 Tbps attack that persisted for six months. The tech giant's defense systems proved resilient against this prolonged campaign.
3. Dyn DNS Disruption (2016)
A 1.2 Tbps attack on DNS provider Dyn created a domino effect, taking down major platforms including Twitter, Reddit and Netflix. This attack highlighted internet infrastructure vulnerabilities.
4. GitHub's Record-Breaking Hit (2018)
The popular code repository weathered a 1.35 Tbps attack that briefly disrupted services. The incident set new records for attack volume at the time.
5. BBC Blackout (2015)
The British Broadcasting Corporation experienced a total domain outage, affecting its main website and streaming service iPlayer. The attack demonstrated how DDoS can impact major media organizations.
6. Spamhaus Slowdown (2013)
At 300 Gbps, this attack on anti-spam organization Spamhaus caused widespread internet disruption and was dubbed "the attack that almost broke the internet."
7. Cloudflare Challenge (2020)
The company successfully defended against a 754 million packets per second attack, showcasing how far DDoS protection has evolved.
8. GitHub's Week of Woes (2015)
A persistent 5-day attack caused sporadic outages on the development platform, testing the limits of its defenses.
9. Estonia's Digital Siege (2007)
One of the first major state-level attacks, this three-week assault targeted Estonia's digital infrastructure, including government, banking and media websites.
10. Code Spaces Collapse (2014)
Perhaps the most devastating outcome - this attack forced Code Spaces to permanently close its business, serving as a stark warning about DDoS attack consequences.
These attacks highlight the growing sophistication of DDoS campaigns and their potential impact. With downtime costs averaging $9,000 per minute, organizations must prioritize robust defense systems and partner with cybersecurity experts for comprehensive protection.