The U.S. Justice Department announced on Apr. 16 court-authorized actions to disrupt major Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Internet of Things botnet services, targeting infrastructure used to facilitate these attacks.
DDoS-for-hire services, also known as "booter" platforms, have enabled users to launch disruptive cyberattacks against a range of victims in the United States and internationally. These attacks can affect schools, government agencies, gaming platforms, and critical infrastructure, often resulting in degraded or disrupted internet connectivity for millions.
Authorities in the District of Alaska seized eight domains associated with DDoS-for-hire operations such as "Vac Stresser" and "Mythical Stress," both alleged to have launched tens of thousands of attacks daily. Investigators also conducted searches on backend servers linked to these illicit services. The announcement marks an expansion from previous efforts by simultaneously shutting down multiple sites and launching a public education campaign about the dangers and illegality of DDoS activities.
According to officials, more than 11 defendants have been charged over the past four years in Anchorage and Los Angeles for facilitating these illegal services. Over 100 related domains have been seized during that time frame.
In addition to seizures, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of War Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), and Netherlands Police began an advertising campaign using targeted online ads triggered by search terms related to DDoS activity. The goal is both deterrence and public education regarding criminal consequences.
“Criminal DDoS-for-hire services impact internet services for victims across the country, including Alaska,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “This threat highlights the continued need to combat cybercrime services like booter providers. We continue to prioritize addressing these threats through collaborative domestic and international partnerships to safeguard critical internet infrastructure and services for all Americans.”
Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of DCIS Cyber Field Office said: “Today’s announcement is the result of continued partnership between law enforcement and the private sector, targeting criminal DDoS services that threaten the integrity of the internet... DDoS is a clear threat to the Department and will continue to be a target of our investigative efforts.”
These actions are part of Operation PowerOFF—a coordinated international effort involving agencies such as EUROPOL; U.S., German, Dutch, Polish, Japanese, French police; federal prosecutors; private sector partners; academic institutions; cloud service providers; payment processors; cybersecurity organizations; among others.
