Security experts have uncovered what may be the largest botnet ever seen, capable of devastating attacks on major online targets.
Last week, hackers launched a brief but powerful test attack using this new botnet, targeting cybersecurity journalist Brian Krebs’s website.
The digital assault reached speeds of 6.3 terabits per second, which is ten times stronger than the infamous Mirai botnet in 2016.
Experts believe the attack was a trial run for a new Internet of Things (IoT) botnet named Aisuru, which is now being sold online.
Botnets are formed by infecting internet-connected devices such as smart cameras or fridges, often protected by weak or default passwords.
These compromised devices are used to flood websites with traffic in distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that force services offline.
Damian Menscher, a Google security engineer, confirmed this was the largest DDoS attack Google has ever defended against.
He said the attack, though lasting under a minute, could have destroyed smaller websites or entire companies’ networks.
In March alone, hackers launched over 27,000 botnet attacks, averaging one every two minutes, according to firm NetScout.
Many of these attacks are sold via Telegram through DDoS-for-hire services, offering daily botnet use for as little as $150.
Brian Krebs noted the brief attack caused no major disruption to his site, thanks to robust defences and its short duration.
Security researchers now warn that Aisuru’s growing strength could mark a dangerous new era in global cyber warfare.
