International Operation PowerOFF: Massive Strike Against DDoS-for-Hire Market
Law enforcement agencies from 21 countries conducted a joint operation against services offering DDoS attacks on a subscription basis. During the PowerOFF campaign, suspects were arrested, domains were seized, and thousands of warnings were sent to users of such platforms. This is one of the largest coordinated actions against cybercrime, targeting not only infrastructure but also customers.
Operation Progress and Results
The operation lasted five days, during which law enforcement:
- Arrested four individuals.
- Seized 53 domains linked to booter services.
- Issued 25 search warrants.
- Sent over 75,000 warnings via email and postal mail.
Countries from Europe, as well as Australia, Brazil, Japan, Thailand, the UK, and the US, participated in the operation. Coordination was handled by Europol.
Strike Against Booter Services and Their Customers
A key element of the campaign was the seizure of servers and databases of booter platforms—services that allow ordering a DDoS attack in just a few clicks. As a result, over three million user accounts were obtained. Analysis of this data helped identify the most active customers and conduct synchronized raids across different countries.
Law enforcement emphasizes that the DDoS-for-hire market remains one of the most accessible segments of cybercrime. Launching an attack requires minimal technical skills and step-by-step instructions available in the public domain.
Preventive Measures
In addition to repressive measures, the operation included preventive work:
- Placing warning ads in search engines for users looking for DDoS tools.
- Removing over 100 links to such services from search results.
- Sending warnings via blockchain networks used for payment.
- Updating the PowerOFF operation website to collect data on measures against infrastructure and customers.
Key Points
- Operation PowerOFF involved 21 countries and is one of the largest international actions against DDoS services.
- 53 domains were seized, 4 people were arrested, and 75,000 warnings were sent.
- Data on 3 million user accounts of booter services was obtained.
- Preventive measures include warnings in search engines and blockchain networks.
- The DDoS-for-hire market remains low-barrier and widespread.
Context and Consequences
DDoS attacks remain a serious threat to businesses and government agencies. The accessibility of booter services lowers the entry threshold for cybercriminals, requiring a comprehensive approach to counteraction. Operation PowerOFF demonstrates that international cooperation can be effective not only against infrastructure but also against users. In the future, we can expect enhanced measures to block payments and advertising for such services, as well as more active prosecution of customers.
— Editorial Team
No comments yet.