World’s largest DDoS attack tops 1Tbps
Botnets are exploiting security vulnerabilities in the Internet of Everything devices to launch the world's largest DDoS attacks
Key takeaways
- OVH founder and CTO Octave Klaba reported the 1Tbps DDoS attack on Twitter sharing an image that lists the multiple sources of the attack.
- Klaba explained that the servers of its company were hit by multiple attacks exceeding 100 Gbps simultaneously concurring at 1 Tbps DDoS attack.
- Klaba speculated the attackers used an IoT botnet composed of CCTV cameras and DVRs and at first look it seems that the botnet is capable of launching attacks that exceed 1.5 Tbps.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'World’s largest DDoS attack tops 1Tbps', 311 Institute, 30 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/worlds-largest-ddos-attack-tops-1tbps/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Hot on the heels of the news that someone might be trying to take down the entire internet, earlier this week hosting provider OVH was overwhelmed by what is thought to be the world's largest ever DDoS attack - a 1Tbps attack launched by a botnet comprised of at least 150,000 internet of Everything (IOE) devices and once confirmed it will beat the next largest DDoS attack by a factor of three.
OVH founder and CTO Octave Klaba reported the 1Tbps DDoS attack on Twitter sharing an image that lists the multiple sources of the attack.
“Last days, we got lot of huge DDoS. Here, the list of “bigger that 100Gbps” only. You can see the simultaneous DDoS are close to 1Tbps !” said Klaba.
Klaba explained that the servers of its company were hit by multiple attacks exceeding 100 Gbps simultaneously concurring at 1 Tbps DDoS attack. One of the attacks documented by the OVH reached 93 MMps and 799 Gbps, and they are still getting larger.
Post on X
Last days, we got lot of huge DDoS. Here, the list of "bigger that 100Gbps" only. You can see the simultaneous DDoS are close to 1Tbps ! pic.twitter.com/XmlwAU9JZ6
Octave Klaba / Oles (@olesovhcom) September 22, 2016
Klaba speculated the attackers used an IoT botnet composed of CCTV cameras and DVRs and at first look it seems that the botnet is capable of launching attacks that exceed 1.5 Tbps.
“Over 6,857 new cameras participated in the DDoS last 48 hours,” said Klaba.
The company was targeted by various types of traffic, including Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) traffic, a novelty in the DDoS landscape. But unfortunately, such kind of DDoS attacks are likely to become even more frequent because it is too easy for hackers gain control of poorly configured, or vulnerable, IoE devices.
Last week experts observed another massive DDoS that targeted the website of the popular cyber security expert Brian Krebs which was subjected to a 665Gbps DDoS attack and both are by far the largest attacks we've seen so far.
Expect more to come.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Botnets are exploiting security vulnerabilities in the Internet of Everything devices to launch the world's largest DDoS attacks
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Denial of service attack en.wikipedia.org
- View on X → twitter.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 30 September 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). World’s largest DDoS attack tops 1Tbps. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/worlds-largest-ddos-attack-tops-1tbps/
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