“Operation PowerOFF” Takes Down 13 More DDos-for-Hire Domains

Thirteen internet domains were seized by U.S. authorities for their role in offering DDoS-for-hire services to cybercriminals. The seizures are part of an ongoing international initiative called “Operation PowerOFF”, whose goal is to take down these dangerous and criminal DDoS-for-Hire sites worldwide.

Prior to the most recent takedowns, the operation eliminated 48 similar services in December 2022 that would allow cybercriminals to utilize these DDoS-for-Hire services against targets like schools, financial institutions, and government websites.

Of the 13 recent domains that were shut down, 10 of them were “reincarnations” of ones that were shut down at the end of last year.

“In recent years, booter services have continued to proliferate, as they offer a low barrier to entry for users looking to engage in cybercriminal activity,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“In addition to harming victims by disrupting or degrading access to the internet, attacks from booter services can also completely sever internet connections for other customers served by the same internet service provider via a shared connection point.”

The case against those involved in the most recent takedowns is still ongoing. As for the takedowns that occurred in December of 2022, four of the six individuals charged in connection with operating those services have entered a guilty plea and are expected to be sentenced later this year.

Story via The Hacker News