Global Crackdown: Authorities Dismantle DDoS Attack Networks in Coordinated Strike

International cybersecurity efforts intensified this week as Europol announced new successes in their ongoing campaign against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack platforms. The multi-national operation has dealt another blow to the underground market for on-demand cyberattacks.

In the latest phase of Operation PowerOFF, authorities have successfully disabled six websites offering DDoS attack services: Cfxapi, Cfxsecurity, Neostress, Jetstress, Quickdown, and Zapcut. These platforms had been actively utilized between 2022 and 2025 to launch attacks targeting various organizations including gaming services, commercial enterprises, government institutions, and educational facilities.

The operation's success extended beyond website takedowns to include arrests. Polish authorities apprehended four individuals suspected of operating a network of platforms responsible for thousands of DDoS attacks. This enforcement action was supported by intelligence sharing between multiple countries.

The international cooperation showcased innovative approaches to combating cybercrime. While U.S. agencies focused on seizing nine domains linked to DDoS platforms, Dutch authorities employed a creative prevention strategy by establishing decoy booter services designed to warn potential users about legal consequences. The Netherlands also played a crucial role in the Polish arrests by providing evidence gathered from previously seized booter websites hosted on Dutch servers.

Operation PowerOFF represents a sustained effort by cybersecurity authorities across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region to dismantle services that democratize cybercrime by allowing anyone—even those with limited technical skills—to launch devastating attacks for minimal cost. Over the years, this initiative has resulted in the shutdown of dozens of DDoS-for-hire websites and multiple arrests of service operators.

These "booter" or "stresser" services have long presented a significant challenge for cybersecurity defenders, as they lower the barrier to entry for conducting impactful cyberattacks, sometimes costing potential attackers just a few dollars per attack.

The continued pressure from law enforcement demonstrates an ongoing commitment to eliminating the infrastructure that enables opportunistic cybercrime, particularly services that transform sophisticated attack methods into accessible, commercial products.