From TechRadar · · 1m 10s
FBI seizes Nightmare Stresser DDoS-for-hire domains
US law enforcement shut down one of the world's longest-running platforms renting DDoS attack services to cybercriminals.
In brief
US law enforcement shut down one of the world's longest-running platforms renting DDoS attack services to cybercriminals. Nightmare Stresser enabled hundreds of thousands of attacks since 2022, but the takedown may be temporary without dismantling the underlying malware infrastructure. Originally reported by TechRadar.
FBI shuts down DDoS rental service
US law enforcement seized two domains running Nightmare Stresser, a platform that rented DDoS attack capabilities to cybercriminals since 2022.
“one of the world's longest running Distributed Denial of Service for hire services”
Hundreds of thousands of attacks
The Department of Justice says Nightmare Stresser was used in hundreds of thousands of actual or attempted DDoS attacks targeting victims worldwide since 2022.
“hundreds of thousands of actual or attempted DDoS attacks targeting victims worldwide since 2022”
Fake stress-testing cover story
These platforms, called booters or stressers, are advertised as legitimate website stress-testing tools but are actually used by cybercriminals to disrupt businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Part of Operation PowerOFF
The seizure is part of Operation PowerOFF, an ongoing campaign that has seized over 100 domains and charged 12 people so far in efforts to dismantle DDoS-for-hire infrastructure worldwide.
Infrastructure still intact
The Department of Justice announcement makes no mention of dismantling the malware infrastructure or arresting Nightmare Stresser's operators, suggesting the service could return quickly.
What it means
Nightmare Stresser enabled hundreds of thousands of attacks since 2022, but the takedown may be temporary without dismantling the underlying malware infrastructure.
