Bots now share the internet equally with humans, according to a new report that exposes how malicious “bad bots” account for 32% of global traffic. Targeting sectors like finance, gaming, and travel, they cause data breaches and account takeovers. Organizations need better security to protect against these digital threats.
Bots Dominate Half of Web Traffic: New Report Reveals Troubling Trends
Key Highlights
- Bad bots represent 32% of internet traffic, revealing global security challenges.
- Imperva report shows human traffic accounts for only 50% of web traffic.
- India faces growing bot threats, particularly in financial services, gaming, and travel.
A new report by Imperva reveals that automated bots now share the internet with humans, with each group making up roughly half of global traffic. Of particular concern are the “bad bots,” malicious automated programs that account for 32% of total web traffic. Meanwhile, good bots, which perform helpful functions like indexing pages for search engines, contribute an additional 17.6%. This delicate balance leaves legitimate human traffic at just over 50%.
What is the difference between Good Bots and Bad Bots?
- Good Bots: These beneficial programs include web crawlers like Googlebot and Bingbot, helping to index web pages and monitor website performance.
- Bad Bots: In contrast, bad bots perform automated tasks with malicious intent. They can steal sensitive data through web scraping, engage in denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, or facilitate account takeovers via credential stuffing.
India’s Bot Traffic
India is one of the countries targeted by bad bots, with around 1.7% of global bad bot attacks directed at Indian websites【16†source】. Bad bots disproportionately impact industries such as financial services, gaming, retail, and travel. The report highlights account takeover (ATO) attacks as one of the most damaging bot threats, targeting financial institutions and online retailers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
Industry Impact and Solutions
- Financial Services: ATO attacks can lead to data breaches, fraud, and financial loss.
- Gaming and Retail: Bots acquire limited-availability items like game items or exclusive products, later reselling them at inflated prices.
- Travel: Airlines and travel agencies face “seat spinning,” where bots hold flights without payment, leading to revenue losses.
Businesses need robust security measures to combat these threats. The report recommends:
- Monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns and spikes.
- Implementing CAPTCHA challenges and multi-factor authentication.
- Securing APIs and mobile applications with strong encryption.
While bots perform valuable functions, balancing internet safety against malicious bot attacks requires advanced monitoring and detection strategies. Staying informed and proactive will be crucial for organizations across industries in India and globally.
Tyler Fields is your internet guru, delving into the latest trends, developments, and issues shaping the online world. With a focus on internet culture, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Tyler keeps readers informed about the dynamic landscape of the internet and its impact on our digital lives.