Lizard Squad's DDoS Service: Selling Stress and Security Risks

Strategic Insights -

The hacking group Lizard Squad made headlines in December for launching a series of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on major gaming platforms, including Sony's PlayStation Network and Microsoft's Xbox Live. Now, the group is offering a new service called LizardStresser, a "booter" that allows users to launch DDoS attacks on any website or internet service they choose for a price, ranging from $6 to $500. According to the group's website, LizardStresser can launch attacks that are powerful enough to take down some of the world's largest gaming networks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lizard Squad has launched a DDoS service called LizardStresser, which allows users to launch attacks on any website or internet service for a price.
  • The service charges between $6 and $500, with the highest level of attack promised for $129.99 a month or $500 for "lifetime" usage.
  • The group's representative claimed that 25 people had paid to use LizardStresser within hours of its launch.
  • The group's motivations are reportedly financial, with the representative stating that "the objective here, for me at least, is money."
  • LizardStresser's launch contradicts previous statements by two group members, who claimed that their motivations were amusement and highlighting the security weaknesses of the games networks.

Statistics:

  • LizardStresser's highest level of attack promises 30,000 seconds (just over eight hours) for $129.99 a month or $500 for "lifetime" usage.
  • The group's representative claimed that 25 people had paid to use LizardStresser within hours of its launch.
  • The group's DDoS attacks on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live affected tens of millions of gamers.

Sources:

  • Daily Dot interview with Lizard Squad representative
  • LizardSquad's official Twitter account announcement of LizardStresser
  • LizardSquad's website for LizardStresser