Cyberattacks are evolving fast, and among them, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have grown at an alarming rate. These attacks are no longer just large — they’re complex, frequent, and capable of bringing down even the most prepared businesses. This article breaks down 30 key stats that show just how massive and serious DDoS attacks have become. After each stat, we’ll give you clear, simple actions you can take to stay ahead of the threat.

1. The largest recorded DDoS attack peaked at 3.47 Tbps in 2023

Imagine 3.47 terabits of traffic per second. That’s not just big — it’s monstrous. This kind of traffic can overwhelm even the largest data centers, making services unreachable for millions of users.

Attacks of this scale are not just headlines anymore. They are real, and they’re being used more often to target high-value networks.

What does this mean for you? If you’re running a business, especially one with any digital presence, you cannot ignore this scale. Even if your business isn’t the direct target, shared infrastructure can mean you’re caught in the crossfire.

So what can you do? Start by talking to your hosting provider or IT team. Ask about their DDoS mitigation policies. If you’re using cloud services like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, look into their DDoS protection features. Most have built-in tools, but they need to be properly configured.

Also, consider using a content delivery network (CDN). CDNs distribute your content across many servers globally. If one server is hit, traffic can be rerouted to another.

Finally, always have a response plan. Know who to call and what to do when an attack starts. The earlier you respond, the less damage you’ll suffer.

2. The average DDoS attack size increased by 80% year-over-year in 2022

When attack sizes nearly double in just one year, it’s a sign that attackers are getting better tools — and faster internet speeds. An 80% increase in size means that the attacks are not just a nuisance anymore. They can knock out firewalls, routers, and entire websites in seconds.

For small businesses, this is especially dangerous. Many still think they’re too small to be targeted. But with botnets becoming easy to rent, attackers don’t need a reason. They just need an opportunity.

Here’s your move: if you have an in-house network, monitor it regularly. Install tools that watch for traffic spikes. Some routers and firewalls have built-in alert systems — enable those alerts.

If you’re not monitoring anything, you’re flying blind.

Next, make sure your web hosting includes DDoS protection. If it doesn’t, switch providers or pay for protection as an add-on. You’ll be glad you did when — not if — someone tries to overload your system.

3. In 2023, 35% of DDoS attacks exceeded 1 Gbps, up from 20% in 2021

A 1 Gbps attack is often enough to shut down most websites. Now, over a third of all attacks are this big. That’s a huge jump from just two years ago.

You don’t need to be a big company to get hit with 1 Gbps of traffic. Even personal websites and small eCommerce stores can be targeted. The bad news is that many standard web hosting plans can’t handle this.

So what should you do?

First, check the bandwidth limits on your hosting plan. Most shared hosting providers cap at a few hundred Mbps — way below 1 Gbps. Consider moving to a VPS (virtual private server) or a managed cloud host that offers better capacity.

Second, install a web application firewall (WAF). These can filter out bad traffic before it even reaches your server.

And if you’re on WordPress or another CMS, use security plugins that offer DDoS protection. They won’t stop the biggest attacks, but they can handle the moderate ones.

The point is — don’t rely on luck. Prepare your website to handle high-volume traffic, whether it’s from real users or a flood of malicious data.

4. Attacks over 100 Gbps rose by 67% between 2021 and 2023

A 100 Gbps attack is massive. It can tear through mid-size cloud servers and cause serious service outages. The fact that these attacks rose by 67% means attackers are pushing the limits.

These aren’t just kids playing around online. These are organized groups with access to powerful tools.

What can you do about this?

If you’re running your own infrastructure, make sure you have upstream DDoS filtering — not just on your firewall. ISPs can often help filter traffic at their level. But you have to ask.

Also, if you host a web service or app, test it under load. Use load-testing tools to simulate 100 Gbps attacks (or as close as you can get). This will show you where your systems break and what needs upgrading.

If you can’t afford in-house solutions, there are cloud-based DDoS protection services like Cloudflare, Akamai, and Imperva. These services are built to absorb attacks in the 100 Gbps range and higher.

5. The frequency of DDoS attacks increased by 150% between 2020 and 2022

The problem isn’t just how big attacks are getting — it’s how often they’re happening. A 150% increase in frequency means attacks are now part of daily life for many businesses.

You could be hit once a year. Or once a week.

This means your defenses can’t be one-time fixes. They need to be ongoing, adaptive, and regularly tested.

Step one: Set up automated traffic monitoring. Use simple tools like UptimeRobot or advanced ones like Datadog. These tools will alert you if something goes wrong.

Step two: Train your team. Everyone from customer support to developers should know what a DDoS attack looks like and how to respond. Have a simple, clear playbook ready.

Step three: Run drills. Just like fire drills, DDoS drills help you prepare for the real thing. Know what to shut down, who to contact, and how to get back online fast.

6. Application-layer attacks grew by 300% from 2020 to 2023

Application-layer attacks, often called Layer 7 attacks, are different. Instead of flooding your network with traffic, they go straight for your website’s brain — the app itself. These attacks mimic real users, sending thousands of web requests per second. To the system, it all looks normal… until it crashes.

A 300% growth in these attacks shows how attackers are getting smarter. They don’t need huge bandwidth. Just clever scripts that wear down your app.

So, how do you stay protected?

Start by reviewing your app’s architecture. Are there routes or forms that could be abused? Login pages, search boxes, or payment forms are often used for Layer 7 attacks. Rate-limit these areas — only allow a few requests per minute per user.

Next, make sure you’re logging everything. Logs can help identify patterns. If 1,000 users are all clicking the same button at the same time from different IPs, you know something’s up.

And again, a web application firewall is a must. WAFs are designed to catch Layer 7 attacks, even if they look like real users.

Also, consider using CAPTCHA or JavaScript challenges to make life harder for bots. These small steps can dramatically slow down an attacker’s ability to overwhelm your app.

7. The number of attacks targeting web applications rose by 143% in a single year (2022)

Web apps are a favorite target — and for good reason. They’re everywhere, and often poorly defended. A 143% jump in just one year tells us that attackers have figured out how effective this tactic is.

Many web apps have insecure APIs, open ports, or endpoints that weren’t properly tested. These small openings become entry points for big trouble.

What should you do?

First, secure your APIs. Use authentication tokens, and make sure APIs don’t return sensitive data unless necessary. Don’t assume your mobile app is safe just because it’s behind an API — it’s often the first point attackers probe.

Second, make regular security testing part of your development process. Use automated tools like OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite. These tools scan for vulnerabilities that attackers love to exploit.

Finally, don’t leave staging or test environments exposed to the internet. It’s shocking how many companies do. These environments often lack proper security and are goldmines for attackers.

8. The average attack duration decreased by 20%, but intensity increased by 2x

Attackers are going for short, sharp shocks now. Instead of dragging an attack out over days, they slam systems hard in a matter of minutes. The goal? Cause chaos quickly — then disappear.

A 20% drop in attack time but double the intensity means you need to react faster than ever. If your team doesn’t detect and respond in under five minutes, you could already be offline.

So what’s your play?

Automate your detection and response. Set up alert thresholds for traffic spikes, CPU usage, and request rates. When these thresholds are crossed, an alert should go out immediately.

Create scripts that can trigger emergency defenses — like shutting off certain endpoints or activating emergency CDN modes.

And most importantly, reduce your attack surface. Shut down unused ports. Remove old APIs. Use minimal permissions for all systems. The fewer doors you leave open, the harder it is for someone to break in fast.

9. In 2023, over 25% of DDoS attacks lasted more than 24 hours

Some attacks go on… and on. A full 24 hours of non-stop attack means your systems are being hammered relentlessly. This isn’t a test. It’s a siege.

This kind of attack is designed not just to disrupt, but to drain your resources — financially and operationally.

To prepare for long-duration attacks, your systems need stamina. That means redundancy.

Start with backups — not just data, but full infrastructure backups. Can you spin up your system on another provider or cloud region if needed?

Next, think about failover strategies. Can your traffic be rerouted automatically to a backup server or provider? Tools like Anycast routing and DNS-based failover systems make this possible.

Also, prepare your team. Working through a 24-hour attack is exhausting. Assign shifts. Rest people. Know when to escalate to outside help.

And finally, have clear communication plans. Tell customers what’s happening. Transparency builds trust — silence breeds frustration.

10. Multivector attacks now account for 60% of all DDoS activity

Gone are the days when attackers used just one method. Today, most DDoS attacks come in waves — hitting multiple points at once. This is what’s known as a multivector attack.

For example, an attacker might flood your network (Layer 3), hit your servers (Layer 4), and then overwhelm your login page (Layer 7) all at once.

Why does this matter? Because defenses that stop just one type of attack won’t hold up. You need layered protection.

Here’s what that looks like:

Start with network-level filtering from your ISP. Ask them if they offer DDoS scrubbing or filtering before traffic hits you.

Then, use a cloud-based DDoS protection service. These sit between your site and the internet, absorbing attacks across multiple layers.

Next, secure your app itself. Use a WAF, set rate limits, and keep your software up to date.

Finally, test your entire system with simulated multivector attacks. Some services offer this as a test package. Better to find weaknesses now than during a real attack.

Finally, test your entire system with simulated multivector attacks. Some services offer this as a test package. Better to find weaknesses now than during a real attack.

11. UDP flood attacks remain the most common, comprising 55% of volume

UDP flood attacks are like a firehose of junk data. They send a high volume of packets using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which doesn’t need a handshake or confirmation. That makes it perfect for overwhelming systems quickly.

Since 55% of DDoS attacks use this method, it’s something every organization needs to guard against.

Here’s what to do:

First, block unnecessary UDP ports. If you’re not using services like DNS or NTP publicly, shut them down. Every open port is a possible entry point.

Second, configure rate limits on UDP traffic. Many routers and firewalls let you set thresholds. This can reduce the impact of floods before they knock out your network.

Third, use anti-spoofing measures. UDP floods often come from spoofed IPs. Filtering out traffic with invalid or impossible IP addresses can help reduce the volume of garbage packets.

Lastly, monitor real-time network traffic. Tools like NetFlow or sFlow give you visibility into where traffic is coming from and how it’s behaving.

12. TCP SYN floods increased by 62% between 2021 and 2023

TCP SYN floods are a classic. They abuse the handshake process in the TCP protocol. Normally, a user sends a SYN request, your server replies with SYN-ACK, and then it waits for the final ACK.

A flood attack sends thousands of SYNs and never completes the handshake — leaving your server waiting and wasting resources.

With a 62% jump, this attack is far from outdated.

To defend against SYN floods, enable SYN cookies. This allows the server to verify connections without wasting resources. It’s a simple switch in most systems.

Next, adjust timeout settings. If your server waits too long for that final ACK, it will run out of space fast. Lowering the timeout helps you recover quicker.

You can also implement connection rate limiting. Limit how many new TCP connections can be made per IP per second.

If your infrastructure supports it, use firewall rules or a load balancer to drop incomplete handshakes. And again — visibility is key. Watch your connection queues closely.

13. Botnets used in DDoS attacks grew to over 23 million infected devices globally

Over 23 million devices around the world are now being used as unwilling soldiers in DDoS attacks. Most are poorly protected devices — think unsecured webcams, printers, or even smart TVs.

Botnets make it cheap and easy for attackers to launch massive, sustained attacks.

You can’t control the botnet, but you can control how your systems respond.

Start by hardening your own connected devices. Make sure any IoT device you own is behind a firewall and not exposed to the internet. Change default passwords, and turn off remote access features you don’t need.

If you’re running a network or service, use reputation-based blocking. Many services keep real-time blacklists of known botnet IPs. Integrate these into your firewall rules.

Also, work with providers who use traffic scrubbing. These providers filter out known bad traffic at the edge — before it hits your infrastructure.

14. IoT-based botnets grew by 75% between 2021 and 2023

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are exploding in popularity — and becoming a big problem. With a 75% increase in IoT-driven attacks, attackers are taking full advantage of weak security across these devices.

IoT devices often run outdated firmware, have hardcoded passwords, and are left wide open to the internet. That makes them perfect DDoS agents.

So, how do you protect your own infrastructure from IoT-driven botnets?

First, reduce exposure. If you’re deploying IoT devices in your business, segment them on a separate VLAN. Keep them off the same network as your core systems.

Second, enforce firmware updates. If a device doesn’t support updates, replace it. No exceptions.

Third, monitor outbound traffic. If one of your devices starts pinging thousands of IP addresses, it may be compromised.

And don’t forget: the fewer IoT devices you use, the fewer potential entry points you have.

15. DNS amplification attacks increased by 45% in 2023 alone

DNS amplification is a sneaky tactic. An attacker sends a small DNS request with a spoofed IP address (yours), and the DNS server replies with a large response — to you. Multiply that by thousands of requests per second, and you’ve got a giant traffic flood aimed at your server.

A 45% rise in these attacks means DNS services are increasingly weaponized.

To protect yourself, avoid being an unwitting participant. If you run a DNS server, configure it to prevent open recursion. Only respond to trusted users.

Next, use rate-limiting on DNS queries. If one IP is sending too many requests, block or throttle it.

If you’re the target of an amplification attack, work with your DNS provider to reroute traffic. Some providers can absorb the attack or redirect it away from your core infrastructure.

And remember, services like Cloudflare or Google DNS are designed to handle massive DNS loads — using them can shield your backend from most attacks.

And remember, services like Cloudflare or Google DNS are designed to handle massive DNS loads — using them can shield your backend from most attacks.

16. The average cost of a DDoS attack to an enterprise is now $218,000

DDoS attacks aren’t just technical problems — they’re financial disasters. At $218,000 per incident on average, the cost can come from lost sales, customer churn, damaged reputation, and emergency IT responses.

For many businesses, this cost is more than enough to cause lasting harm.

So how do you reduce your financial risk?

First, quantify your downtime cost. How much do you lose per minute if your site or app goes offline? Knowing this helps justify investment in protection.

Second, explore cyber insurance policies. Many now offer coverage for DDoS-related damage. Just be sure to read the fine print — some policies only cover very specific types of attacks.

Third, invest in proactive protection. Spending a few thousand on a robust defense system is better than scrambling to recover from a six-figure loss.

Finally, have an incident response plan. A prepared response reduces downtime — and that means less money lost.

17. Over 75% of organizations experienced at least one DDoS attack in 2023

Three out of four organizations got hit in 2023. That’s not a trend — that’s a fact of life.

No matter your industry or size, you’re likely on someone’s radar. It might be a bored teenager, a competitor, or even a hacktivist group. The point is, if you’re online, you’re a target.

So what now?

Start with a risk assessment. Identify your most exposed services. Do you have a public login page? An API? A customer-facing dashboard? These are prime targets.

Next, set up layered defenses. This means not just a firewall, but a WAF, a CDN, and DDoS-specific mitigation tools. Each layer buys you time and protection.

And don’t go it alone. Work with managed service providers or consultants who specialize in DDoS prevention. Their experience can save you from costly mistakes.

18. 90% of attacks lasted less than one hour but still caused major disruption

Even a short attack — just 30 or 45 minutes — can cause chaos. Lost sales, interrupted meetings, customer complaints, and panicked teams. With 90% of attacks lasting under an hour, attackers are aiming for shock value.

They hit fast, make an impact, and disappear before you can respond. This makes timing critical.

Your goal? Reduce your response time to minutes — not hours.

Here’s how: set up automated alerts for key performance metrics. If CPU spikes or incoming requests triple in a short time, someone on your team should get a text or call.

Then, create simple one-click “lockdown” scripts. These can shut off traffic-heavy services, redirect users to a backup server, or turn on protection features.

Speed matters more than ever. Even a 10-minute delay can cost you thousands. The more automated your detection and defense, the faster you’ll bounce back.

19. Gaming platforms saw a 70% increase in DDoS attack volume in 2023

Gamers can be competitive — sometimes too competitive. Gaming platforms saw a massive 70% rise in attacks last year, often triggered by in-game rivalries, server grudges, or extortion threats.

These platforms are especially vulnerable because real-time connections are crucial. Even a second of lag can ruin the experience.

If you’re running a game server, you must protect uptime at all costs.

Use cloud-based protection services that specialize in gaming traffic. Services like Cloudflare Spectrum or AWS Shield Advanced are built to handle game traffic and keep latency low.

Also, monitor chat platforms. Threats often appear there first. If a user mentions “lag switch” or “server crash,” treat it as a red flag.

Finally, keep your matchmaking and game logic separate. That way, if one goes down during an attack, the others stay up.

20. 33% of DDoS targets in 2023 were financial services

When money is involved, attackers show up fast. A third of all DDoS attacks in 2023 hit banks, fintech apps, crypto platforms, and trading systems.

Why? Because downtime means panic. People lose access to funds. That loss of trust is exactly what attackers want.

If you’re in finance — or even process online payments — you need top-tier protection.

Step one: never host your platform on shared infrastructure. Invest in isolated, redundant systems with strong failover capability.

Step two: enable geo-blocking or rate-limiting for countries where you don’t operate. Many attacks come from regions you don’t serve.

Step three: encrypt everything — not just for security, but because attackers also target unencrypted systems.

And most importantly, work with a DDoS mitigation partner who has experience in the financial sector. They understand regulatory requirements and how to keep systems compliant and available.

And most importantly, work with a DDoS mitigation partner who has experience in the financial sector. They understand regulatory requirements and how to keep systems compliant and available.

21. 45% of attacks are now used as smokescreens for more serious breaches

This is where things get scary. Almost half of all DDoS attacks today are distractions. While your team focuses on restoring service, attackers sneak in through another route — stealing data, planting malware, or escalating privileges.

That’s why a DDoS attack should never be seen as “just a DDoS.” It could be the beginning of a much bigger breach.

What should you do?

First, when an attack starts, lock down all critical systems. Don’t just fight the traffic — assume something else may be happening in the background.

Second, double your logging during an attack. Capture everything — login attempts, file changes, unusual access patterns.

Third, scan your systems immediately after the attack ends. Check for new accounts, suspicious scripts, or odd data transfers.

And finally, communicate. Let your team know this isn’t just a performance problem — it could be a security emergency.

22. Layer 7 attacks (application layer) accounted for 30% of total DDoS traffic in 2023

One-third of DDoS attacks now aim right at the application layer — the most sensitive and expensive part of your stack.

These are the hardest to detect. They don’t flood your pipes with traffic. Instead, they pretend to be real users, sending valid requests over and over until your app runs out of resources.

Fighting these attacks requires smart filtering.

Step one: log user behavior. A real user might load five pages a minute. A bot might try 500. That pattern is your first defense.

Step two: implement challenge-response tools. CAPTCHAs, browser integrity checks, and JavaScript challenges can filter out automated requests.

Step three: use rate limiting by IP, user-agent, and even behavioral fingerprints. If someone’s doing too much too fast — block them.

And remember, WAFs are your best friend. The better ones can detect Layer 7 anomalies and stop attacks before they affect performance.

23. The largest ransom DDoS demand in 2023 was for $5 million

DDoS ransom attacks are rising. The playbook is simple: “Pay us, or your service goes down.” And in 2023, one demand reached a staggering $5 million.

It’s a terrifying position to be in — but paying is not your best option.

Here’s how to prepare before that demand arrives:

Start by keeping detailed communication logs. If you get a ransom note, you’ll need records for legal and law enforcement support.

Next, have a policy in place. Decide now if your organization will negotiate, ignore, or report threats. Don’t wait until emotions are high to decide.

Most importantly, invest in mitigation. Ransom demands only work when attackers believe they can take you down. Show them you can take the hit — and you probably won’t get the threat at all.

Also, notify authorities. Many law enforcement agencies now handle cyber ransom threats directly and may be able to help.

Also, notify authorities. Many law enforcement agencies now handle cyber ransom threats directly and may be able to help.

24. HTTP/2 Rapid Reset attacks surged in late 2023, with attack volumes over 100 million RPS

This was one of the most dangerous attack types we’ve seen. HTTP/2 Rapid Reset works by opening and immediately resetting streams at insane speeds — sometimes hitting 100 million requests per second (RPS).

It caught many off guard because traditional tools didn’t recognize it as malicious.

To defend against it, update your web server software immediately. Most major vendors released patches or configuration fixes by early 2024.

Next, implement request anomaly detection. If you see a sudden burst of open-reset behavior, flag it as a possible Rapid Reset attempt.

Also, keep your HTTP/2 stack minimal. Disable features you don’t need. The less surface you offer, the harder you are to exploit.

And most importantly, stay in touch with your vendors. When new threats emerge, you need to act fast — patches only help if they’re installed quickly.

25. Attacks using cloud infrastructure rose by 120% between 2020 and 2023

Attackers are now renting cloud servers to launch attacks. That’s right — the same cloud you use for business is being used against you.

A 120% increase in cloud-launched attacks means defenses must be built into the cloud, not just on-site.

Here’s what you can do:

Enable strict outbound rules on your cloud VMs. Prevent them from being used for abuse, even accidentally.

Use role-based access controls. Don’t let anyone spin up new servers without approval — rogue instances can be hijacked fast.

Monitor traffic for unusual patterns. If your own cloud systems are suddenly sending tons of data, that could be a compromised asset.

And finally, partner with cloud providers that actively fight abuse. Providers like AWS and Google have rapid takedown processes — but you need to report abuse quickly.

26. AI-generated DDoS strategies are becoming more prevalent, used in 10% of attacks

Artificial intelligence isn’t just helping businesses — attackers are using it too. Around 10% of DDoS attacks in 2023 were driven by AI-generated strategies. These systems can adapt in real-time, shift tactics on the fly, and even learn from your defenses.

That makes them much harder to stop.

So, what can you do?

Start by using AI against AI. Modern security tools are starting to include machine learning features that analyze traffic in real time. They can spot unusual patterns — even if they look like normal users.

Next, be dynamic with your own defenses. Don’t rely on static rules. Rotate IPs, change routing strategies, and update rate limits regularly.

Also, maintain threat intelligence feeds. These tools update your firewall or security system with the latest known attack signatures — many of which now include AI behavior profiles.

Lastly, stay educated. AI in cybersecurity is a fast-moving field. Keep your team (or yourself) learning about the latest trends and tools.

Lastly, stay educated. AI in cybersecurity is a fast-moving field. Keep your team (or yourself) learning about the latest trends and tools.

27. DDoS mitigation costs for cloud services increased by 40% in 2023

With more attacks targeting cloud-hosted apps and services, the cost to defend those systems has gone up — 40% in just one year.

This isn’t just about bigger attacks. It’s about more frequent hits, more complex vectors, and more services you have to defend at once.

So how do you control these costs?

First, review your billing structure. Many cloud providers charge for inbound traffic during attacks. Look for flat-rate DDoS protection plans instead — even if they seem expensive upfront, they can save you thousands.

Second, optimize your cloud infrastructure. Keep your attack surface small. Turn off unused endpoints and ports. Shrink the number of public-facing IPs where possible.

Third, use serverless and edge computing where you can. These services often scale automatically and offload traffic closer to the user, reducing central strain during an attack.

Finally, make DDoS protection part of your budget planning. Treat it like insurance — not a luxury.

28. 40% of DDoS attacks now use TLS/SSL encryption

Encryption is a good thing — until attackers start using it against you. Encrypted DDoS attacks force your servers to do more work. Each connection requires a handshake, certificate verification, and extra processing — even if it’s fake.

With 40% of attacks using TLS/SSL now, you need to be ready.

Start by enabling TLS offloading. This moves the handshake process away from your main servers to specialized tools — like load balancers or cloud-based proxies.

Next, use session caching. This reduces the processing load on repeat handshakes, even under pressure.

Also, monitor the ratio of encrypted vs unencrypted traffic. If it spikes suddenly, it could mean you’re under encrypted attack.

Finally, always keep your SSL certificates and protocols up to date. Some attackers target outdated encryption methods — make sure yours are modern and secure.

29. Reflective amplification attacks can achieve an amplification factor of over 4,000x

This stat is wild. Some reflective attacks — like those using misconfigured servers — can turn a tiny request into a response that’s 4,000 times bigger. Imagine sending 1MB and making your target receive 4GB.

That’s the danger of amplification. And it’s why attackers love it.

Here’s how to protect against it:

If you’re running any kind of server — DNS, NTP, Memcached — make sure it’s not open to the public unless absolutely necessary. Use allowlists for known IPs.

Also, use ingress filtering. This helps block spoofed IP addresses that attackers use to send reflected traffic your way.

If you suspect you’re being used as an amplifier, check your outbound traffic logs. If you’re sending huge volumes of data to unfamiliar IPs, you might be part of the problem.

Lastly, report abused services. Many organizations have abuse contacts listed — letting them know their system is part of a reflection attack can help shut it down fast.

30. 1 in 4 DDoS attacks in 2023 targeted APIs and microservices

Microservices are great for scaling apps — but they also multiply your attack surface. Every microservice is a door, and 25% of DDoS attacks are now targeting APIs directly.

Why? Because APIs are often poorly rate-limited, rarely protected by firewalls, and contain sensitive functions.

So, if you’re using APIs, take these actions:

First, implement strict rate limiting. Don’t allow one user or IP to flood an endpoint with requests.

Second, use authentication and authorization. Even internal APIs should require tokens, keys, or OAuth. Assume every connection could be hostile.

Third, keep your API gateways updated. Many have built-in DDoS protection features — but only if they’re properly configured.

Finally, monitor API usage closely. Watch for sudden spikes in specific endpoints, especially those that write or query large amounts of data.

APIs are powerful — but only if they’re protected like the critical systems they are.

APIs are powerful — but only if they’re protected like the critical systems they are.

wrapping it up

DDoS attacks aren’t slowing down. They’re bigger, faster, and smarter than ever. As the stats show, it’s not just about size anymore. It’s about strategy, layers, duration, and distraction.

No matter your industry, you must treat DDoS protection as a core part of your cybersecurity plan.

The good news? Most of the defenses we’ve discussed today are accessible. Whether you’re a startup founder, enterprise IT manager, or solo developer, you can take practical steps to reduce your risk.