As the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a massive shift in Internet usage, cybercriminals quickly pounced, launching more than 10 million distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks aimed at crippling targets with a heavy reliance on online services. Attack frequency spiked 20% year over year and 22% for the last six months of 2020.
Netscout, represented locally by Comtest, says according to their most recent Threat Intelligence Report, vital pandemic industries such as ecommerce, streaming services, online learning and healthcare all experienced increased attention from malicious actors targeting the very online services essential to remote work and online life. The top 10 vertical industries under attack in the second half of 2020 further illustrates the enormous impact Covid-19 had on DDoS attack activity. Threat actors always have embraced an opportunistic pivot and this was no exception as they enthusiastically flocked to the ensuing smorgasbord of new opportunities.
The top three listed sectors fall under the category of ‘Old Faithfuls’ because attacks on both subscribers and their operational infrastructures are inherent to their role as connectivity providers. However, attackers widened their target profile beyond typical targets as the massive shift to online work and play opened promising new avenues of attack. For instance, the fourth sector – Internet Publishing and Broadcasting – is by no means a usual suspect in the top 10. Its presence can be summed up in two words: Netflix and Zoom. Similarly, online shopping, which grew an impressive 44% in 2020, represents another pandemic stalwart that came under increased attack, as did online learning. Interestingly, this activity was seen not only at the usual hotspots of colleges and universities but also at the high school and middle school level. With DDoS-for-hire services both readily available and incredibly cheap, it seems likely that budding online delinquents set about playing hooky on an Internet scale.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Measuring and analysing PV circuit performance Comtest
Electrical Power & Protection
Regardless of the test method, you must know the plane of array irradiance and cell temperature to evaluate PV circuit performance. Proper sensor types and test methods like the Fluke Solmetric PVA 15i-V curve tracer should be used for reliable results.
Read more...Epiroc and ABB collaborate on underground trolley solutions
News
Epiroc and ABB have signed a MoU based on underground trolley equipment to collaborate on joint, comprehensive and integrated electrification solutions for the mining industry to increase productivity and achieve decarbonisation targets.
Read more...WearCheck launches advanced thermography course Wearcheck
News
WearCheck recently launched a new training course, InfraFocus to upskill users of thermographic cameras. This highlights the best ways to capture thermographic imagery for use in a condition monitoring programme
Read more...Locally manufactured solutions for infrastructure development ACTOM Electrical Machines
News
Infrastructure plays a critical role in driving growth and economic development in South Africa, particularly through projects involving the country’s energy, logistics and water sectors.