A recent wave of DDoS attacks has hit South Africa, targeting major internet service providers such as 1-Grid, Seacom, Xneelo, and Network Platforms. The attacks caused internet disruptions, unstable connections, and temporary outages across parts of the country, affecting thousands of businesses and households. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DDoS attacks can disrupt access to websites, banking systems, email platforms, and other essential online services.
The impact of these attacks can be felt by ordinary internet users, who may experience difficulties with online banking, streaming services, and remote work systems. Cybersecurity company Cloudflare said the growing dependence on digital services has made DDoS attacks increasingly disruptive worldwide. The company warned that this kind of outage can cost organisations thousands of dollars per minute while leaving customers locked out of critical services.
How DDoS Attacks Work
A DDoS attack happens when hackers flood a website, app, or network with massive amounts of fake traffic until the system becomes overloaded. The result is that legitimate users are unable to access services, with websites slowing down, crashing, or going completely offline. In some cases, cybercriminals use DDoS attacks to test the resilience of internet infrastructure or distract security teams while attempting other forms of cybercrime in the background.
Impact on South Africans
For many South Africans, the effects of DDoS attacks can be immediate and frustrating. Banking apps may fail to load, online payments can stop working, streaming services buffer endlessly, while online gaming servers and remote work systems become inaccessible. With the growing dependence on digital services, it is essential for internet users to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.
Some of the ways to protect yourself from DDoS attacks include:
- Using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication
- Keeping your devices and software up to date
- Being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources
- Using a reputable cybersecurity software to protect your devices
According to Cloudflare’s 2025 DDoS threat report, attacks are becoming larger and more sophisticated. The company said it blocked more than 7.3 million DDoS attacks in a single quarter, including attacks peaking at 7.3 terabits per second. Experts also warn that ordinary household devices can unknowingly become part of these attacks, with poorly secured routers, smart cameras, and other internet-connected devices often being hijacked by hackers and turned into “botnets”.
