Imagine 1,000 prank callers dialing your phone at the same time. You’d never hear from the people who really needed to reach you. That’s essentially how a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack works.

Instead of phone lines, attackers target websites or online services. They hijack thousands — even millions — of devices and command them to flood a site with fake requests. The result? Real users can’t get through. Pages crash, connections slow to a crawl and entire services may be knocked offline.

In 2025, these attacks are not only more frequent but also more creative. Many are linked to extortion attempts (“pay up, or we’ll keep you offline”), while others serve as distractions for bigger crimes happening in the background.

Why Bruins Should Care

DDoS doesn’t just target corporations or governments. Universities like UCLA rely on online systems for classes, research and day-to-day operations. A successful attack could delay coursework, disrupt critical services or even mask attempts to steal sensitive data.

How to Stay Out of the Attack

The truth is, most DDoS attacks succeed because attackers hijack everyday devices — computers, phones, even smart home gadgets — and turn them into part of a botnet army. That means every one of us has a role in prevention:

• Keep your devices updated. Security patches close the doors hackers use to take control.
• Use strong passwords and MFA. This makes it harder for attackers to break into your accounts or devices.
• Stay alert to performance issues. If a UCLA service suddenly slows or becomes unavailable, report it to IT Security right away. It may be more than “just a glitch.”
• Be cautious online. Avoid suspicious links or downloads that could install malware.

Awareness Is Power

DDoS attacks may feel abstract, but their impact is real — disruption, downtime and in some cases, financial loss. By keeping devices secure and reporting suspicious slowdowns, Bruins can help protect the community from being caught in the digital traffic jam.

Bruins, stop the attack before it happens. #becybersafeUCLA

Learn more about Cybersecurity Awareness Month at UCLA, explore resources, and enter the raffle for a chance to win tickets to the UCLA vs. USC football game: Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025.