Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks have become the dominant tactic for cyber warfare, with countries like Israel, Georgia, Mexico and Turkey experiencing a significant spike in such incidents during 2024, according to a new report.
A DDoS is often defined as a cyber attack in which perpetrators use co-ordination and multiple computers to overwhelm a network server with internet traffic, which then prevents users from accessing services and websites. They are essentially a more powerful version of a denial-of-service attack (DoS), which is only carried out by one nefarious actor.
“DDoS attacks are outpacing many traditional cyber-threats,” a report released by NetScout Systems, a cyber protection solutions provider, said on Wednesday. “They are precision-guided digital weapons, capable of disrupting infrastructure at critical moments.”
NetScout said that geopolitical unrest and continuing social strife were playing a significant role in the spike in DDoS attacks. According to the NetScout report, Israel had a 2,844 per cent surge in DDoS attacks in 2024, while Georgia had a 1,489 per cent increase, and Mexico experienced a 218 per cent increase.
The DDoS attacks in Israel were largely related to the continuing Israel-Gaza war, whereas Georgia's DDoS attacks were the result of continuing tensions with Russia, while Mexico's DDoS attacks were related to the country's national elections. Geopolitical events related to Syrian refugees prompted a 437 per cent increase in DDoS attacks in Turkey as well, NetScout's report said.
“The findings show how attackers exploit moments of national vulnerability to amplify chaos and erode trust in institutions, as they target the critical infrastructure of governments, commercial entities and service providers,” a synopsis of the NetScout report explained. NetScout said that the company observed 8,911,312 DDoS attacks in the second half of 2024, a 12 per cent increase compared to the first half of the year.
“DDoS has emerged as the go-to tool for cyberwarfare,” said Richard Hummel, director of threat intelligence at NetScout.
Artificial intelligence is also playing a significant role in the proliferation of DDoS attacks. “AI is being utilised for Captcha bypassing, with automation advancing towards capabilities such as behaviour mimicry and real-time attack adjustments,” the company's report read in part.
“AI-driven automation, proxy-based application-layer floods, and evolving DDoS-for-hire services using turnkey reconnaissance capabilities and full-scale attack orchestration ensure these campaigns remain relentless while lowering the barrier to entry.”
Tracing the origins of DDoS attacks is also becoming more difficult, due to threat actors increasingly using ISP-spoofing and geo-spoofing techniques.
According to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CSIS), there is no way to completely prevent DDoS attacks, but there are DDoS protection services that can help reduce the threat of attacks. CSIS also recommends the installation of firewalls and basic anti-virus software. NetScout's report concludes, however, that a legacy IT defence mentality is no longer effective when it comes to “modern DDoS” attacks.
“Security teams must move beyond reactive mitigation and embrace proactive, intelligence-driven defence strategies that disrupt attackers before they strike,” the report said. “It’s about outmanoeuvring an adversary that is smarter, faster, more organised, and more relentless than ever, especially as DDoS evolves into a non-attributable cyberweapon for geopolitically motivated actors.”
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
Favourite singer: Adele
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
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The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
