Gcore has released a new Radar report indicating a significant increase in distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack volumes, which surged by 41% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same timeframe in 2024. The report reveals that the largest single DDoS incident during this period reached a staggering 2.2 terabits per second, surpassing the previous record of 2 terabits observed in late 2024.
The rise in DDoS attacks presents a rapidly evolving threat landscape. Cybercriminals are increasingly employing combined strategies, using brute-force network flooding alongside targeted application-layer attacks, making it more challenging for businesses to detect and mitigate these threats. Andrey Slastenov, Head of Security at Gcore, emphasizes the urgency for organizations to invest in DDoS detection and mitigation systems to avoid potential financial and reputational damage.
Another alarming trend noted in the report is the shift toward longer and more persistent DDoS attacks. While shorter, high-intensity attacks were prevalent in previous years, there has been a noticeable increase in attacks lasting between 10 to 30 minutes, nearly doubling in frequency. Conversely, brief assaults lasting under ten minutes have decreased by around 33%. This shift suggests that attackers are adapting their tactics to outmaneuver automated defense systems that are typically designed to thwart shorter attacks.
The report also highlights a rise in multi-vector attacks, where malicious activity is camouflaged within legitimate traffic. This tactic complicates detection and extends the potential damage window. As such, analysts are advocating for layered defense strategies that can effectively counter these complex and evolving threats.
In terms of target industries, gaming—previously a primary target for DDoS attacks—has seen a 30% decline in attack frequency. Conversely, technology providers and financial service sectors have experienced a 15% surge in attacks, emphasizing their attractiveness due to their systemic importance. Hosting providers, in particular, are now high-value targets; disruptions in their services can massively affect e-commerce and financial platforms.
Geographically, while the United States and the Netherlands are still the leading sources of DDoS traffic, Hong Kong has emerged as a significant threat hotspot, accounting for 17% of all network-layer attacks and 10% of application-layer incidents. This trend underscores the global scale and adaptability of cyber threats.
The report indicates that application-layer attacks have seen a sharp increase, rising from 28% of total attacks in late 2024 to 38% in the first half of 2025. These attacks frequently target web applications and APIs, particularly in sectors with high user interaction, such as e-commerce, online banking, and public services.
With 1.17 million DDoS incidents recorded globally in the first half of 2025—up from 969,000 in the latter half of 2024—Gcore warns that the landscape is becoming increasingly hostile. Organizations are urged to adopt comprehensive, multi-layered protections that integrate both volumetric and application-level defenses, leveraging global intelligence to stay ahead of evolving attack methods.
This situation reflects an escalating arms race between attackers and defenders, with cybercriminals adapting to improvements in enterprise defenses with longer campaigns and more varied approaches. For CIOs and CISOs, the imperative is clear: traditional perimeter defenses are no longer sufficient in a digital landscape where every gap in security can lead to substantial losses in both trust and revenue.
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