Telegram App Targeted in DDoS Cyberattack

Telegram App Targeted in DDoS Cyberattack

An DDoS attack aimed at slowing connectivity for the Telegram app took place this week. The cyberattack coincided with large protests in Hong Kong, and with most of the IP addresses coming from China, it is speculated that they were involved in the attack.

The Telegram messaging app was overloaded by a DDoS cyberattack this week. The attack was performed in order to flood the app with so much traffic that it slowed users’ connectivity – it was not an attempt to steal users’ data.

The attack coincided with large protests in Hong Kong over an extradition bill with China. Many of the protesters were said to have been communicating over the Telegram app, as there are ways to encrypt messages end-to-end to ensure privacy. Because of this strenuous encryption, the app has been used in terrorist attacks as communication previously, and was the subject of an Iranian government controversy last year.

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, said in a tweet that the IP addresses mostly came from China and consisted of 200-400 Gb/s of clutter.

“Historically, all state actor-sized (attacks) we experienced coincided in time with protests in Hong Kong,” Durov said. “This case was not an exception.”

The attack did not only affect Asia though, but any country that was using the app. The company said in a tweet that the Americas and some users from other countries may experience connection issues.

Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at Comparitech.com, said that Durov has good reason to suspect China is the reason for this DDoS attack.

“Telegram CEO Pavel Durov isn’t crazy for suspecting the Chinese government is targeting Telegram,” Bischoff said. “It wouldn’t be the first time that China has weaponized botnets – a group of computers that can be controlled from a single command and control point – to target websites with DDoS attacks.”

Bischoff said in 2015, the largest DDoS attack in history up to that point was attributed to China. The attack was aimed at two censorship circumvention tools hosted on the Github site.

About the Author

Kaitlyn DeHaven is the Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.