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How and why hackers successfully breach major companies, and what you can do to protect yourself

  • By Gcore
  • December 19, 2024
  • 5 min read
How and why hackers successfully breach major companies, and what you can do to protect yourself

As if businesses didn’t have enough cybersecurity concerns to worry about, over the last six months a ransomware group known as Brain Cipher has emerged as a serious threat to some of the world’s largest organizations, hacking into systems and stealing data from targets including governments, consulting firms, and even the Summer Olympics. To add insult to injury, the group blames the victims themselves for the infractions, leaving their targets red-faced, exposed, and backed into a corner.

Why are even the most well-funded and security-conscious companies vulnerable? More importantly, how can your business apply these lessons to build a stronger cybersecurity posture?

How attackers carry out data breaches against even the biggest companies

Many assume that industry giants are too secure to be breached. But even firms with massive security budgets face significant risks and can leave their customers’ data exposed to theft.

Cyberattackers aim to target any weak point in a company’s system. Hacks usually happen when a company has left some aspect of its digital resources unprotected. This can even happen to firms with the largest security budgets if a part of their system is not actively secured and regularly updated. For example, if an API is unmonitored or improperly documented, attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities and access sensitive data. Read our article to learn more about what data breaches are and how they happen.

Large companies make attractive hacking targets for a number of reasons. Attackers know that these firms have deep pockets and therefore, there is the potential for a huge payout in return for their silence. Hackers also know how much damage cyberattacks can cause to the reputations of large prestigious firms, making the company more likely to pay up to protect its image and prevent loss of customer trust.

Hackers also simply love attention: seeing the name of their ransomware group in the news—particularly if they have managed to bypass the security systems of a consulting firm or other supposed “secure fortress”—gives them credibility in the hackers’ world.

3 steps for every business to take against data breaches

Adopting these proven strategies can help mitigate risks and reduce the impact of potential breaches.

1. Adopt zero-trust security

Trust no user, device, or application by default—even those within your network. A Zero-Trust approach continuously verifies access requests, applying the principle of least privilege to limit what users can access. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security, making stolen credentials less effective. Regularly review permissions and remove access for inactive accounts to reduce the attack surface.

Pro tip: Use AI-powered access management systems that monitor user behavior and flag unusual login attempts.

2. Use WAAP to prevent attacks

As cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, even large companies with substantial budgets need to be mindful of the robustness of their security setups.

WAAP—short for web application and API protection—is a tool that prevents data breaches for companies of all sizes by acting as a barrier between a company’s digital resources and potential hacking attempts, such as DDoS attacks. Comprising WAF, bot management, L7 DDoS protection, and API security, WAAP can detect unusual activity, mitigate and block suspicious requests, and constantly evolve to deal with new cyber threats and methods. WAAP scales in relation to business size and needs as a company’s digital presence grows.

Leverage AI-powered cybersecurity

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, leveraging AI-powered WAAP is no longer optional—it’s essential. AI-driven systems can detect, analyze, and respond to threats faster than traditional tools by processing vast amounts of data in real time. Use AI-powered threat detection platforms that can identify unusual behavior, flag potential breaches, and trigger automatic responses before damage is done. Incorporate AI into areas like endpoint security, cloud monitoring, and identity management to create a more adaptive and responsive security environment.

Pro tip: Invest in managed security services that include AI-driven monitoring and threat intelligence to get 24/7, futureproof protection without overwhelming your internal IT team.

3. Apply secondary measures

Zero-trust security and AI-enabled WAAP are the gold standard for preventing data breaches. It’s always best to stop an attack at your organization’s perimeter and deny attackers access rather than deal with an attack once it’s already in.

With that said, if you’re still working to implement WAAP and zero-trust or looking to create additional layers of security in case of a breach, it’s a good idea to work on the five-item checklist below. These techniques will limit the damage that a successful attack can cause.

  • Secure your cloud infrastructure: Cloud environments store valuable data but are vulnerable to misconfigurations and unauthorized access. Use security tools that continuously monitor for misconfigurations, ensure encryption of data both in transit and at rest, and enforce strict identity and access controls. Regularly audit cloud permissions to prevent privilege creep and apply automated policies to remediate common vulnerabilities. Pro tip: Deploy cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools to automate threat detection and compliance checks.
  • Strengthen endpoint protection: With hybrid work becoming the norm, endpoints such as laptops, mobile devices, and IoT devices are prime targets for attackers. Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to monitor, detect, and block threats in real time. Check that devices are running the latest operating system versions and that endpoint firewalls are active. Consider enabling remote wipe functionality to protect data on lost or stolen devices. Pro tip: Use AI-powered endpoint protection that can analyze and respond to emerging threats with minimal manual input.
  • Prepare a strong incident response plan: A clear incident response plan minimizes the damage caused by data breaches and accelerates recovery. Establish a dedicated incident response team and define roles and responsibilities for key staff. Create a step-by-step playbook that covers threat detection, containment, eradication, and recovery processes. Test your incident response plan regularly through simulated breaches or tabletop exercises to identify gaps. Pro tip: Use automated incident response platforms that enable faster threat containment by triggering predefined actions when suspicious behavior is detected.
  • Assess third-party security practices: Vendors and service providers can be weak links in your security chain if their systems are compromised. Perform due diligence before onboarding third-party vendors by evaluating their security certifications, policies, and compliance standards. Include clear data protection and breach notification clauses in contracts. Regularly review vendors’ cybersecurity postures through audits, questionnaires, or penetration testing. Pro tip: Use vendor risk management platforms powered by AI to continuously assess the security health of all third-party vendors in real time.
  • Train and educate employees: Employees are often the first line of defense against cyber threats. Conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions covering topics such as phishing, social engineering, password security, and remote work best practices. Use real-world attack simulations, such as simulated phishing campaigns, to test employees’ responses and reinforce key lessons. Reward positive behavior and follow up with targeted training for those who fail tests. Pro tip: Use AI-driven phishing simulators that generate tailored, realistic phishing attempts to train employees on emerging scams.

Protect your business from data breaches with Gcore

Data breaches are a huge risk to companies of all sizes and all it takes is one small, unnoticed vulnerability for hackers to break in and access sensitive information. The costs for businesses are immense: loss of customers, trust, reputation, and profit. Multiple layers of protection are necessary to provide both initial gatekeeping to stop attacks and secondary measures in case of a successful breach.

While hackers constantly evolve to unleash new forms of cyberattacks, there are reliable ways to prevent them and keep your business safe and secure. Gcore WAAP is a comprehensive web application and API security solution that protects against multiple cybersecurity threats, including zero-day vulnerabilities, L7 DDoS attacks, and bad bots. Get in touch to learn more about how we can help protect your business from even the most sophisticated and powerful attacks.

Request a free demo of Gcore WAAP

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Introducing Super Transit for outstanding DDoS protection performance

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The rise of DDoS attacks on Minecraft and gaming

The gaming industry is a prime target for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which flood servers with malicious traffic to disrupt gameplay. These attacks can cause server outages, leading to player frustration, and financial losses.Minecraft, one of the world’s most popular games with 166 million monthly players, is no exception. But this isn’t just a Minecraft problem. From Call of Duty to GTA, gaming servers worldwide face relentless DDoS attacks as the most-targeted industry, costing game publishers and server operators millions in lost revenue.This article explores what’s driving this surge in gaming-related DDoS attacks, and what lessons can be learned from Minecraft’s experience.How DDoS attacks have disrupted MinecraftMinecraft’s open-ended nature makes it a prime testing ground for cyberattacks. Over the years, major Minecraft servers have been taken down by large-scale DDoS incidents:MCCrash botnet attack: A cross-platform botnet targeted private Minecraft servers, crashing thousands of them in minutes.Wynncraft MC DDoS attack: A Mirai botnet variant launched a multi-terabit DDoS attack on a large Minecraft server. Players could not connect, disrupting gameplay and forcing the server operators to deploy emergency mitigation efforts to restore service.SquidCraft Game attack: DDoS attackers disrupted a Twitch Rivals tournament, cutting off an entire competing team.Why are Minecraft servers frequent DDoS targets?DDoS attacks are widespread in the gaming industry, but certain factors make gaming servers especially vulnerable. Unlike other online services, where brief slowdowns might go unnoticed, even a few milliseconds of lag in a competitive game can ruin the experience. Attackers take advantage of this reliance on stability, using DDoS attacks to create chaos, gain an unfair edge, or even extort victims.Gaming communities rely on always-on availabilityUnlike traditional online services, multiplayer games require real-time responsiveness. A few seconds of lag can ruin a match, and server downtime can send frustrated players to competitors. Attackers exploit this pressure, launching DDoS attacks to disrupt gameplay, extort payments, or damage reputations.How competitive gaming fuels DDoS attacksUnlike other industries where cybercriminals seek financial gain, many gaming DDoS attacks are fueled by rivalry. Attackers might:Sabotage online tournaments by forcing competitors offline.Target popular streamers, making their live games unplayable.Attack rival servers to drive players elsewhere.Minecraft has seen all of these scenarios play out.The rise of DDoS-for-hire servicesDDoS attacks used to require technical expertise. Now, DDoS-as-a-service platforms offer attacks for as little as $10 per hour, making it easier than ever to disrupt gaming servers. The increasing accessibility of these attacks is a growing concern, especially as large-scale incidents continue to emerge.How gaming companies can defend against DDoS attacksWhile attacks are becoming more sophisticated, effective defenses do exist. By implementing proactive security measures, gaming companies can minimize risks and maintain uninterrupted gameplay for customers. Here are four key strategies to protect gaming servers from DDoS attacks.#1 Deploy always-on DDoS protectionGame publishers and server operators need real-time, automated DDoS mitigation. Gcore DDoS Protection analyzes traffic patterns, filters malicious requests, and keeps gaming servers online, even during an attack. In July 2024, Gcore mitigated a massive 1 Tbps DDoS attack on Minecraft servers, highlighting how gaming platforms remain prime targets. While the exact source of such attacks isn’t always straightforward, their frequency and intensity reinforce the need for robust security measures to protect gaming communities from service disruptions.#2 Strengthen network securityGaming companies can reduce attack surfaces in the following ways:Using rate limiting to block excessive requestsImplementing firewalls and intrusion detection systemsObfuscating server IPs to prevent attackers from finding them#3 Educate players and moderatorsSince many DDoS attacks come from within gaming communities, education is key. Server admins, tournament organizers, and players should be trained to recognize and report suspicious behavior.#4 Monitor for early attack indicatorsDDoS attacks often start with warning signs: sudden traffic spikes, frequent disconnections, or network slowdowns. Proactive monitoring can help stop attacks before they escalate.Securing the future of online gamingDDoS attacks against Minecraft servers are part of a broader trend affecting the gaming industry. Whether driven by competition, extortion, or sheer disruption, these attacks compromise gameplay, frustrate players, and cause financial losses. Learning from Minecraft’s challenges can help server operators and game developers build stronger defenses and prevent similar attacks across all gaming platforms.While proactive measures like traffic monitoring and server hardening are essential, investing in purpose-built DDoS protection is the most effective way to guarantee uninterrupted gameplay and protect gaming communities. Gcore provides advanced, multi-layered DDoS protection specifically designed for gaming servers, including countermeasures tailored to Minecraft and other gaming servers. With a deep understanding of the industry’s security challenges, we help server owners keep their platforms secure, responsive, and resilient—no matter the type of attack.Want to take the next step in securing your gaming servers?Download our ultimate guide to preventing Minecraft DDoS

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