In the first half of 2023, the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has revealed a surge in the dark web market for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Over 700 advertisements for DDoS attack services have emerged on various online forums, painting a grim picture of the thriving cyber underworld.
The DDoS attack services come with widely varying price tags, influenced by factors such as DDoS protection, CAPTCHA and JavaScript verification on the victim's side. For those seeking to wreak havoc, options range from a seemingly affordable USD 20 per day to USD 10,000 per month. These prices fluctuate depending on the sophistication and efficacy of the attack, as well as the level of countermeasures in place to defend against them.
The dark web has become a fertile ground for cybercriminals to peddle their DDoS attack services, targeting both businesses and individuals. DDoS attacks involve overwhelming a target's online services or websites with a flood of traffic, causing disruptions or even complete shutdowns.
For an average user looking to disrupt a website or service, the going rate hovers at approximately USD 63.5 per day or USD 1,350 per month. This accessibility, both in terms of availability and affordability, makes DDoS attacks an attractive option for cybercriminals looking to wreak havoc and extort victims.