In a significant law enforcement operation, authorities have seized nine websites linked to some of the most notorious DDoS-for-hire services worldwide. This latest move comes as part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle “booter” and “stresser” services, which allow cybercriminals to launch Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks for a fee. The seizure operation, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, is a continuation of efforts that have already seen the shutdown of over 75 such sites and the prosecution of multiple individuals involved in these illegal operations.
DDoS attacks are designed to overwhelm targeted servers, making them inaccessible to users. These attacks can affect a wide range of victims, including schools, government agencies, and private companies, severely disrupting internet access and services. The seized websites were responsible for hundreds of thousands of attempted and actual attacks across the globe.
While some of these services claimed to be “stresser” tools for legitimate network testing, investigations by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) revealed that the true purpose of these platforms was facilitating illegal cyberattacks.
“Booter services facilitate cyberattacks that harm victims and compromise everyone’s ability to access the internet,” stated U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This week’s sweeping law enforcement action is a major step in our ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal conduct that threatens the digital infrastructure.”
Simultaneously, the Polish Central Cybercrime Bureau arrested four administrators involved in these illicit services, in collaboration with U.S. law enforcement. This international effort also involved agencies such as EUROPOL, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). To further disrupt these services, Homeland Security Investigations, in partnership with other law enforcement bodies, has launched a global public awareness campaign. Ads targeting individuals searching for DDoS services aim to educate the public on the illegality of these activities and deter potential offenders.
“These criminal activities impact internet services for victims in every corner of the U.S.,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman. “Our commitment to addressing these threats remains strong.”
This latest crackdown, part of Operation PowerOFF, highlights the growing global effort to combat cybercrime and safeguard the integrity of the internet.
