US authorities seize domains and disrupt botnets in global crackdown on DDoS-for-hire services used for cyberattacks.
U.S. authorities have carried out coordinated cyber operations to disrupt major DDoS-for-hire services, as part of a wider international effort to dismantle online attack-for-hire infrastructure.
The action, announced by the Department of Justice, involved court-authorized measures to seize domains and target key systems powering large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These services, often marketed as “booters” or “stressers,” allow users to launch attacks against websites and networks for a fee.
Officials said the operation focused on dismantling Internet of Things (IoT)-based botnets responsible for some of the most disruptive cyberattacks globally. By targeting backend infrastructure, authorities aim to reduce the availability of tools widely used by cyber-criminals and low-skilled actors alike.
The crackdown is part of the ongoing Operation PowerOFF, a multi-country initiative involving law enforcement agencies and private sector partners. The operation has previously led to domain seizures, arrests, and the disruption of platforms responsible for hundreds of thousands of attacks worldwide.
Authorities highlighted that DDoS-for-hire services pose a significant threat to businesses, government systems, and critical infrastructure, often overwhelming targets with massive traffic to force outages. These platforms frequently disguise themselves as legitimate network testing tools, despite being used for illegal activity.
The Justice Department emphasized that the latest actions demonstrate continued international cooperation in combating cybercrime, with support from major technology companies and global law enforcement partners.
Officials warned that investigations remain ongoing, and additional enforcement actions are expected as authorities continue to identify operators and users behind these services.
Reports are sourced from official documents, law-enforcement updates, and credible investigations.
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