Flightradar24, a popular global flight tracking service, is currently facing a significant Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that has been ongoing for over 14 hours. The platform, known for offering real-time flight tracking data, has experienced disruptions that have impacted its website and mobile applications. The attack has affected many of its users, including premium subscribers, who have reported issues accessing important flight details, such as the origin, destination, and estimated arrival time. Although some users can still observe the current position of flights, many are unable to access the supplementary data that is usually available.
The effects of the DDoS attack have been varied across users, with some experiencing slow search results and a lack of response when trying to view aircraft registrations.
Users have also complained about losing access to their saved bookmarks, making it difficult to track previously followed flights. In extreme cases, users have reported that the app displays no flights in their region, such as on the west coast of the United States, which is an area with a high volume of air traffic. This has raised concerns among users, especially since Flightradar24 is an essential tool for tracking flights globally, and the attack has hindered the service’s functionality significantly.
Flightradar24 acknowledged the situation in a post, confirming that the DDoS attack is affecting the platform’s ability to function at its usual capacity.
The company emphasized that the issue has persisted for an extended period, and its team is working hard to mitigate the attack’s impact. Although they have not revealed the origin or the motive behind the attack, the platform assured users that efforts are underway to restore normal operations. The company’s response also noted that despite some features being inaccessible, certain services, such as playback, were still available, though users continued to face inconsistent access.
The ongoing disruption has raised questions regarding the source and motivations behind the attack. While Flightradar24 has not provided specifics, users have expressed frustration, particularly those who paid for premium services to access real-time flight data. Despite the difficulties caused by the attack, the platform continues to remain a critical resource for aviation enthusiasts, travelers, and professionals alike. As Flightradar24 works to resolve the issue, the situation serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of online services to cyber threats and the potential impact of such attacks on global operations.
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