Criminals Can Easily Execute DDoS Attacks Against 4G and LTE Networks

During the recent Mirai botnet attack, it became evident that critical internet infrastructure is subject to DDoS attacks. It looks, however, as if 4G connectivity can suffer from a similar fate. Any 4G cellular device around the world is vulnerable to DDoS attacks, according to a Black Hat Europe researcher. Security issues can affect any internet-connected device.

4G Connectivity Attracts Denial-of-Service Attacks

The revelations by this Black Hat Europe hacker are quite worrisome, to say the least. Denial-of-service attacks against 4G or LTE users are not entirely unexpected, although they are a lot easier to perform than anticipated. This is made possible because of the lackluster security provided across 4G and LTE mobile networks around the world.

Mobile providers all over the world have upgraded to 4G rather quickly, as they want to avoid security concerns associated with 2G and 3G. Exploits were reported in the wild, which deliberately targeted the back end of mobile communication on 2G and 3G connectivity. Thankfully, no major incidents were reported before the upgrade was complete.

It appears, though, that cellular providers are not out of the woods yet. The Diameter protocol, which was introduced when LTE networks came into the picture, offered more security having to do with sending signals to the network. As one would expect, the majority of mobile providers assumed that Diameter would solve all of their security problems at once. Alas, this is far from the case.



Related Post

Keeping in mind how the Diameter protocol is an upgrade from the SS7 network standards, some of the same vulnerabilities remain. Both forms of technology have similar traits which can be abused by hackers. In doing so, criminals could cause significant damage to 4G and LTE infrastructure. As a result, mobile users would be cut off from their network, and communication nodes would come under attack.

In fact, several types of attacks were revealed during the recent Black Hat Europe conference. Some of these attacks can be circumvented by restarting a phone and making a new connection to the mobile network. Other attack vectors may cause blackouts for entire neighborhoods or areas around a cell tower.

Now is the time for security experts to address these vulnerabilities, and come up with solutions. It seems highly likely that a major DDoS attack against mobile carriers will take place sooner or later. Being prepared for the worst is the only course of action, although it remains to be seen if operators will take this warning to heart.

If you liked this article, follow us on Twitter @themerklenews and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and technology news.

JP Buntinx

JP Buntinx is a FinTech and Bitcoin enthusiast living in Belgium. His passion for finance and technology made him one of the world's leading freelance Bitcoin writers, and he aims to achieve the same level of respect in the FinTech sector.

Share
Published by
JP Buntinx

Recent Posts

Dogecoin Millionaire Predicts This Undervalued Altcoin Could Match DOGE’s 2021 Gains

Dogecoin's 2021 rally was a historic one, turning ordinary investors into overnight millionaires. This magnificent…

13 mins ago

Qubetics Presale Skyrockets to $7.5M as XRP and Arbitrum Lead Best Altcoins for Exponential Returns

The crypto market is always evolving, with big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the…

1 hour ago

Over 300K Users Actively Mine Crypto On BlockDAG’s X1 Miner App While BNB Bulls Eye $3K; What’s XRP’s Price Target?

The crypto market is ablaze with excitement as altcoins like XRP and BNB make major…

1 hour ago

Best Crypto Presale To Buy Now: Rollblock Delivers For Holders With New License, Record Sign Ups and 7000+ Games

Rollblock is quickly becoming the best crypto presale to buy, delivering unmatched value for its…

5 hours ago

Polkadot And Uniswap Gearing For Post-Christmas Jump As Rollblock Raises $7.4 Million in Presale

While Rollblock's continues its crypto presale, with its value increasing regularly, Polkadot (DOT) and Uniswap…

6 hours ago

IntelMarkets (INTL) Receives Massive Demand From Chainlink And SUI Investors Looking To Position For The Best Bull Run Gains

As the cryptocurrency market gears up for a bull run, IntelMarkets (INTL) is attracting significant…

6 hours ago