Bots are the new biggest threat. And they’re not only one of the biggest threats; they’re one of the most complex.
Below, we’ll talk you through the rise in bot threats and the new challenges businesses face.
Bots on the Rise
Bots have become a massive issue for companies everywhere – whether e-commerce, finance, or even healthcare, malicious bots are a constant headache. 2023 and 2024 saw a monumental – and quite frankly worrying – rise in bot threats. Does it mean the robots are taking over? No…not yet…or does it?
The explosive rise in bot threats is thanks to technology everyone is realizing they can’t live without – artificial intelligence and machine learning. These developments have made bots more human-like and caused traditional security systems to fail to differentiate between real users and bots. And let’s face it, traditional security systems weren’t that secure anyway.
The financial consequences resulting from bot attacks are massive. Online frauds like account takeovers, automated transactions, and massive data breaches are more frequent thanks to bots. We have some statistics to prove it.
A recent report shows that almost half (45%) of worldwide internet traffic in 2024 was generated by harmful bots, with a staggering 32% performing malicious activity online and DDoS attacks initiated by hijacked devices operating on IoT networks consisting primarily of routers, cameras, DVR recorders, etc. It’s adding up to billions of compromised IPs being used for these purposes globally each year. Problematically high bot participation puts tremendous strain on business infrastructures and enormous economic losses – bot protection is essential.
Understanding Complex Bot Tactics
We’re over halfway through 2024 – it’s time to discuss 2025. In 2025, bots will be smarter than ever, using AI and machine learning technologies to adapt new security measures and refine attack strategies.
One popular technique is credential stuffing, which uses usernames and passwords from previous data breaches to access unauthorized users’ accounts. It has been proven highly effective, especially when people use the same password for multiple platforms – and bots are clever enough to know how effective it is. Even strong multi-factor authentication will become questionable soon.
Another alarming trend is the proliferation of sophisticated, persistent bots. These evil creatures (we’re not being dramatic) appear like humans so much that they are almost impossible to identify by traditional security measures. They can interact with websites, fill out forms, or even talk to client support systems without being caught. How have we got to this point?
And then there are AI-driven bots starting to carry out deep fake scams where they create audio and video content that mimics executives to trick employees into transferring money or revealing sensitive information.
It’s relentless.
Why You Need a Full-Service Bot Management Solution?
With the increasing threat landscape comes the need for full-service bot management as an investment, from ddos protection software to full bot threat detection and prevention. It’s not just a choice anymore.
These solutions enable the detection of bot attacks in real time, along with mechanisms for shielding companies from impending bot dangers.
As for rise in bot threats, real-time threat analysts are crucial in their detection and prevention before causing severe harm. Progressing algorithms and behavioral analytics are the basis upon which bot management solutions operate, making it possible to discover anomalies and react promptly. They avert unsanctioned access by monitoring the flow of activities in traffic patterns and any suspicious actions.
Firms can adjust their defensive measures to deal with changing threats, maintaining the effectiveness of security systems.
The Financial and Operational Costs of Bots
The impact of bots on organizations is not limited to cyber security – it also has significant financial and operational implications. If anything, for the company, these are the worst.
The primary targets for malicious bots include websites, APIs, apps, etc. This disrupts services, leading to data breaches or even the total collapse of cash flow. These losses may amount to billions of dollars annually due to cyber incidents related to bots.
Another burden that businesses face comes from needing more infrastructure because of high bot spam traffic. Servers get inundated by massive numbers of spurious traffic from malevolent programs, causing slowdowns or outages for legitimate users. Businesses have been forced to purchase more servers’ capacities and bandwidths at a cost.
On an operational level, resources are strained because companies need to constantly monitor and respond by reacting to or blocking such activities on their systems.
What do you think about evolving bot threats and how vulnerable do you think you are?
You can’t lie with the numbers we’ve given you – bots are taking over. And for the average Joe, they might not even realize it. But the current trend depicts increased sophistication levels from bots, and it seems like there’s no stopping them. Let’s see how they evolve into 2025.
