Multiple voice over internet protocol (VoIP) providers have been hit by co-ordinated, professional cyber criminals.
Industry body Comms Council UK have advised that many of their members had been targeted by DDoS (denial of service) attacks in recent weeks. DDoS attacks essentially attempt to overthrow websites by exponentially increasing the traffic on a website. If the hackers succeed, the website will go offline, making it inaccessible both internally and externally.
In the past this method has been used as a form of political statement, but in these recent VoIP attacks, the hackers are ultimately aiming to extort the targeted companies.
VoIP offers internet-based phone services to customers across the UK, including the NHS, police, and other public services. While the Comms Council UK are currently unable to quantify how many organisations have been affected, the attacks have been described as “unprecedented”. A spokesman for the Comms Council UK has also exclaimed that they have not experienced an attack on this scale since they were established in 2004.
DDoS attacks are less common in the cyber security community nowadays as there are plenty of other methods of attack used by cybercriminals. Ransomware and phishing are common threats we’re seeing in the security landscape, but this doesn’t mean cybercriminals won’t opt for alternative methods.
If you’re concerned about the impact ever evolving cyber threats could have on your business, get in touch with our experts today.
