As the digital landscape evolves, so do the threats that organisations must contend with. One of the most pressing concerns in 2024 has been the significant rise in bad bot activity, as highlighted in the H1 2024 Global Threat Analysis Report. Bad bots, automated programs designed to perform malicious actions, have become more sophisticated and widespread, posing new challenges for businesses across the globe.
A 61% Increase in Bad Bot Transactions
Compared to the first half of 2023, bad bot transactions surged by 61% in 2024. This dramatic increase highlights the growing reliance on automation by attackers, who use bots to scrape data, perform credential stuffing, and execute a variety of cyberattacks. The rise in bad bot activity signals an urgent need for businesses to fortify their defenses and protect themselves from the mounting threats that these automated attacks represent.
Regional Breakdown: North America Leads in Bot Activity
Bad bot activity has shown clear regional targeting, with North America experiencing the highest volume of bad bot transactions in the first half of 2024. Half of all global bad bot activity occurred in North America, followed by the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions, each accounting for 20% of the total. The Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region rounded out the list, contributing 12% of all bad bot transactions.
This geographic distribution underscores the global nature of the bad bot threat, with attackers focusing their efforts on economically and technologically advanced regions. North America’s leading position in bad bot activity reflects its concentration of high-value targets, including financial services, e-commerce platforms, and tech companies.
The Increasing Presence of Web Crawlers
Web crawlers, often used by search engines for indexing, are also being weaponized in the bad bot landscape. The H1 2024 report revealed that the presence of web crawlers has increased to 5.8%, up from below 4% in 2021 and nearly 7% in 2023. While legitimate web crawlers serve valuable functions, malicious crawlers are used by attackers to harvest data, bypass security mechanisms, and identify vulnerabilities.
This growing presence of web crawlers highlights a broader trend in how bots are being used to exploit weaknesses in web applications. Organisations must remain vigilant, as even seemingly innocuous traffic from web crawlers can be leveraged for malicious purposes.
Key Insights from the H1 2024 Report
The H1 2024 Global Threat Analysis Report offers several key insights into the evolving landscape of bad bot activity:
- New-Generation HTTPS Floods on the Rise:
While network-layer DDoS attacks are well understood and easier to detect, a new generation of HTTPS flood attacks has emerged as a significant threat. Though HTTPS floods have been around for a few years, their frequency and intensity have escalated in 2023 and 2024, earning them the designation of “Web DDoS attacks.” These new attacks are more sophisticated and harder to mitigate, making them a growing concern for organisations. - Sophistication of Bad Bots Is Increasing:
Attackers are refining their methods and increasing the complexity of bad bot activities. This includes more advanced credential stuffing attacks, where bots use stolen credentials to gain unauthorised access to user accounts, and automated fraud, where bots simulate legitimate transactions to commit fraud undetected. - Industry-Specific Targeting:
Certain industries, such as financial services, retail, and technology, have become primary targets for bad bots. These sectors store valuable customer data and conduct high volumes of transactions, making them attractive to cybercriminals seeking financial gain or competitive advantage. - Real-Time Mitigation Is Key:
As bad bot attacks become more frequent and sophisticated, real-time detection and mitigation are crucial. Organisations must implement advanced bot management solutions that can differentiate between legitimate users and malicious bots, ensuring the security of their digital platforms.
Preparing for the Future of Bad Bot Attacks
As bad bot activity continues to rise, organisations must take proactive measures to safeguard their digital assets. This includes implementing bot management solutions that offer comprehensive protection against both simple and sophisticated bots, regularly monitoring traffic patterns for signs of unusual activity, and maintaining an adaptive defense strategy to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Contact White Arrow Technology if you are interested in knowing more about how to protect your organization from bad bot activity and other emerging cyber threats.
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