DDoS attackers shut down VoIP providers and request ransoms
BREAKING: A string of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) providers have become the latest targets of ransom distribution denial of service (DDoS). Sept. 27, one of the US’s leading telephony providers bandwidth.com reported several outages across their platform.
VoIP providers provide technology that allows people to interact and communicate across long distances. These technologies are often internet-based, which were prime targets for DDoS attacks.
When bandwidth.com was hit, it caused a nationwide outage, leaving their customers without voice services.
What was targeted?
- Servers
- Portals
- Gateways
- Enhanced 911 (E911)
- Messages
Canadian-based VoIP provider VoIP.ms’s infrastructure was compromised Sept. 16 by a similar DDoS attack and are still sorting through the wreckage.
VoIP.ms provides services to 80,000 business spanning 125 countries, all of whom are experiencing varying difficulties.
How do DDoS attacks work?
The attackers overwhelm servers, portals and gateways by sending more messages than can be processed, which then creates havoc, causing services to be inaccessible.
After a few days of being locked out of services, Bandwidth.com is up and running again. As this is an ongoing story, it is unclear if they have paid the ransom, figured out a way to gain access to their services, or the attackers simply gave up. More information may be provided in the upcoming days.
Other companies currently experiencing issues:
- Mitel.com
- Verizon
- AT&T
- ringcentral.com
- gotoconnect.com
