In an era where automation is increasingly shaping the digital world, bad bots are emerging as a major threat to the security and stability of the internet. According to a recent study by Thales/Imperva, automated traffic now makes up a significant portion of internet activity. In fact, bots are responsible for 37% of all web traffic, a 5% increase from 2024. This growing presence of bad bots, many powered by artificial intelligence (AI), is creating challenges for businesses, security teams, and internet users alike.
AI technology has made it easier than ever for bots to mimic human behavior, making detection difficult. With the help of AI, bad bots are evolving rapidly, using sophisticated techniques to avoid detection and wreak havoc across various online platforms. From fake browser identities to bypassing CAPTCHA systems, these bots are becoming more adept at blending into the human user base, making it harder for security measures to identify and mitigate their impact.
The AI-Powered Bot Surge: Who’s Behind the Attacks?
One bot, in particular, has dominated the landscape of AI-driven cyberattacks in recent years: ByteSpider Bot. According to the report, ByteSpider, which is operated by ByteDance (the parent company of TikTok), was responsible for a staggering 54% of all AI-enabled attacks last year. Other notable bots involved in cyberattacks include Applebot, ClaudeBot, and the ChatGPT User Bot. While ByteSpider leads the charge, these bots represent a significant portion of AI-based traffic across the web, highlighting how various sectors are increasingly relying on automation, both for legitimate purposes and for malicious activity.
“Simple, high-volume bot attacks have grown substantially, now comprising 45% of all bot attacks — up from 40% in 2023,” the report stated. The surge in bot activity is largely attributed to the increasing availability of AI-powered automation tools that allow even less technical individuals to orchestrate attacks with ease. These tools have democratized the power to exploit online vulnerabilities, raising alarms among cybersecurity experts and organizations around the globe.
Bot Traffic: A Growing Threat to Key Industries
Some industries are particularly vulnerable to bot attacks, with travel and retail sites being among the hardest hit. According to the Thales/Imperva report, bots account for 41% of traffic on travel sites and a staggering 59% on retail websites. This influx of automated traffic disrupts online businesses, making it difficult for legitimate users to access services and affecting sales, reputation, and overall user experience.
The sophistication of bot traffic is also growing, with attackers leveraging new methods to bypass traditional security measures. For example, bots can now use residential IP addresses and privacy tools like iCloud Private Relay to appear as legitimate users, complicating the task of distinguishing between real users and malicious bots. Additionally, bots are increasingly able to crack apps, bypass CAPTCHA systems, and employ other evasion techniques that thwart traditional defense strategies.
What’s Being Done to Combat the Rise of Bad Bots?
As the threat of bad bots continues to escalate, researchers and cybersecurity experts are urging organizations to take proactive steps to protect their websites and services. The Thales/Imperva report outlines several mitigation strategies to help businesses defend against bot attacks:
- Risk Identification: Understanding where bots are most likely to target a business is key to developing effective defenses. Organizations should analyze their online traffic and identify potential risks from automated threats.
- Access Restrictions: One effective tactic is to restrict access from known bulk IP data centers. By blocking traffic from suspicious sources, companies can reduce the volume of bad bot activity.Bot Detection Strategies: Implementing tools and strategies that can identify the signs of automation is crucial. This includes analyzing traffic patterns and behavior to spot irregularities that may indicate a bot attack.Real-Time Monitoring: Implementing real-time monitoring systems that can alert businesses to potential bot activity allows for faster response times and the ability to block attacks as they happen. This can be especially important for API-specific threats, which are becoming more common in today’s digital landscape.
The Future of Bad Bots: What’s Next for Web Security?
As bad bots continue to evolve, the threat they pose to online businesses and internet users will only grow. The widespread availability of AI tools is enabling more people to launch bot attacks with minimal technical expertise, leading to an increase in both the scale and complexity of these threats. It’s clear that the battle against bad bots is far from over.
Moving forward, organizations will need to stay ahead of the curve, adapting to new bot tactics and continuously updating their security systems to combat emerging threats. As AI becomes more integrated into both legitimate and malicious activities online, it’s essential for businesses to remain vigilant and invest in robust security measures to protect their digital assets.
