As part of a coordinated global effort, law enforcement agencies from 15 countries have significantly reduced worry for businesses and consumers over the holiday season by taking control of one of the internet’s most popular DDoS-for-hire services.
Operation PowerOFF has successfully mitigated the expected surge in distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks over the Christmas period by shutting down approximately two dozen “booster” or “stressor” websites.
As Europol notes, annually during the festive season, cybercriminals take advantage of heightened online shopping activity by launching devastating DDoS attacks, causing organisations substantial financial loss and reputational damage at a time when consumers are already vulnerable to fraud and disruption.
Operation PowerOFF has successfully taken down 27 booter and stresser websites, including zdstresser.internet, orbitalstress.internet, and starkstresser.internet. Three alleged directors of DDoS-for-hire websites have been arrested in both France and Germany, with 300 customers identified among their client base.
Visitors to the taken websites are initially met with a statement from Operation PowerOFF, making their intentions clear.
Operation PowerOff: Domain Seized Global law enforcement agencies have launched Operation PowerOFF, a concerted effort to take down DDoS-for-hire providers, also known as booters and stressers. DDoS assaults are unlawful. For years, law enforcement agencies worldwide have seized booter databases, apprehended leaders, and gathered intelligence on the operations of these services, including information about their customers. Anyone working with or utilizing DDoS providers is subject to investigation, prosecution, and various legal enforcement measures.
As Europol simultaneously announced the news, Dutch authorities disclosed the arrest of four male suspects, ranging in age from 22 to 26 years old. According to reports, a single individual is accused of perpetrating more than 4,000 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Meanwhile, in America, authorities have taken action against two individuals allegedly linked to DDoS-for-hire providers, targeting them for their expenses.
The Operation PowerOFF initiative successfully dismantles and reconfigures infrastructure previously utilized in support of assaultive behaviors. The platform also includes a forward-thinking marketing initiative aimed at deterring individuals from engaging in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
What’s being marketed is an online campaign targeting a specific audience, with advertisements designed to educate young individuals about the consequences of engaging in distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks through booter and stresser websites? Moreover, those who utilize the services of illegal DDoS providers may receive warning letters or emails, and in some cases, law enforcement investigators may pay them a visit to emphasize the gravity of their actions.
Launched as a global initiative, Operation PowerOFF brings together law enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks behind DDoS-for-hire services globally. The 2022 operation saw participation from countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly targeted DDoS-for-hire providers ahead of major holidays, including Christmas, and it is unlikely this will be their last effort.
