DDoS Attacks are becoming more and more of a threat. As hackers become more sophisticated, the job of the security expert becomes more difficult. This article will explore the reasons behind DDoS attacks and how they work in order to raise awareness about this issue. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is an extension of a cyber-attack, in which traffic floods the processing capabilities of a device such as a computer or server so much that legitimate users cannot access it. DDoS attacks usually involve multiple compromised devices or computers that collaborate to flood the targeted site ’s bandwidth, either through accessing the site’s server to generate a high amount of traffic or connecting to each other’s network so they can share resources and all send traffic to the intended target.

2022 has a very relaxed “DDoS is not a crime” feeling. Last month the act of performing distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks seemed to have no repercussions whatsoever. When an activist, these days one will need to consider their options before taking up arms.

Some people view hackers as either malicious or harmless. Threat actors will stop at nothing to steal your personal details or identity and can be unskilled and inane at times. However, many really skilled professionals are using them for their own protection against spam, hackers and other nuisances.

One of the most common misconceptions about hackers is the assumption that they’re outcasts, rebels, or criminals. Movies & TV also feed these stereotypes to an unassuming audience by glorifying negative hacker actions. Really, it’s no surprise that we have a distorted perception of hacking in society because the internet is so widespread now.

And it’s not hard to see why. Despite public outcry, the authorities have still not managed to regulate out the criminal activity (and countless breaches). An amateur might assume that launching a DoS attack is permissible. But, as users can simply find attack tools for rent on the first page of an internet search engine. One of the more frustrating aspects of these sites is that they are often protected by legitimate companies who provide security, making it seem as though they are not illegal.

The Gray Area of Cyber

Security is something that everyone should be taking seriously and it’s clear that the industry isn’t even trying. It’s time to stop rewarding those who are engaging in this activity with attention instead, lI’ve seen a lot of first-time hackers with distressed and overwhelmed mental states come out of nowhere to publicly broadcast their online history and criminal activity. Sometimes, criminal hackers will be quick to exert power and act on their convictions in the aftermath of breaking into a smart meter. They may claim the moral high ground– however, they must be punished for their crimes

While anonymity was tolerated back in the days of Anonymous, the collective mindset has now evolved mainstream. As a result, a larger proportion of the general public believe that it is not a crime if they are morally aligned and are involved in an acceptable operation.

But is this true?

Take the current conflict in Russia, for example. Both governments are creating IT armies that have recruited tens of thousands of people from around the world. They want to do a whole range of things. They want to make made-to-order financial attacks against government agencies and corporations, but they also like to harass organizations with so called “denial of service” attacks.

All of the countries involved in the war have used cyber-attacks in support of their cause and it’s an ongoing debate as to whether this is legal. Technically speaking, joining a foreign cyber legion and engaging in cyberwar would be illegal.

For example, Grimes recently revealed in a Vanity Fair interview that she orchestrated a Denial-of-Service attack on the now-defunct blog Hipster Runoff back in 2012. The attacker coerced the owner into taking down an article with a personal photo of her, thereby keeping the website inoperable.

It is understandable that Grimes felt safe discussing her “coolest hacker moment” publicly while she admits to a federal crime. But we must ask ourselves, why did she feel safe to admit to a federal crime publicly? It is easy to see how the recent PizzaGate incident from Wikileaks could have been a branding and marketing stunt. We should not forget that launching DDoS attacks has recently become so socially acceptable that society does not consider it a crime anymore.

The drawbacks and consequences of launching a DDoS attack.

It might seem like “Denial-of-Service” attacks are trendy because they get a lot of attention. But it’s still considered a serious crime. For example, in 2021, a man was sentenced to 5 years in prison and ordered to pay $520,000 for launching DDoS attacks against various media outlets & blog sites.

Joining a cyber legion from a different country than the one who is at war with could come with certain risks, even if you are committed to supporting it. Just because you want to help doesn’t mean that your actions will go without consequences. Even if you are lucky enough to stay out of the fight and your side wins, there’s nothing stopping your country from continuing the fight and you could face charges in the future.

Say for example, in both these situations where claiming that a DDoS attack is justifiable (even though it doesn’t have to be) can cause collateral damage. Sometimes innocent bystanders are affected when the DDoS attack starts somewhere else and ends up going through there. Packets don’t just jump from place to place. Malicious packets can have a huge impact on you and your business if they are not adequately dealt with.

Should I Join the Cyber War?

The recent DDoS attacks has led to the decision that this crime can now be considered federal. With terrorism becoming more and more of an issue, more people should be aware of the risks associated with using DDoS services. A lot of the issues with hacking are still not clear because it’s not yet a formally recognized thing. Still, if someone is smart about it and sticks to legal hacking, there isn’t any harm in that

Launching offensive cyber-attacks and DDoS attacks are a crime and come with massive risks. This is why hacking back, which could have its own hazards, is not advised. If you care genuinely about an event and feel like it’s impacting your life, think about how Anonymous’s power comes from their careful organization and distribution of information, not cyber-attacks.