Security Stop-Press: AI Tools Fuel Record Rise in DDoS Botnets

Attackers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to build record-breaking DDoS botnets, according to new data from internet security firm Qrator Labs.

The company reports that one botnet it tracked contained 5.76 million infected devices, a 25-fold increase on last year’s largest network. Qrator’s CTO, Andrey Leskin, said AI now lets attackers “find and capture devices much faster and more efficiently,” driving unprecedented growth.

Brazil has overtaken Russia and the US as the biggest source of application-layer DDoS attacks, accounting for 19 per cent of malicious traffic, while Vietnam’s share has surged as unsecured devices multiply across developing regions. Fintech and e-commerce remain the top targets, with peak attacks reaching 1.15 Tbps.

Experts warn that AI tools are lowering the barriers to entry for cybercriminals, enabling large-scale automated attacks. Businesses are urged to use layered DDoS protection, keep connected devices updated, and monitor for unusual network activity to defend against this new AI-driven threat.