Welcome back to The Evolution of Scalper Bots series. In our previous blog, we analyzed the rise of professional scalper bot ecosystems. This included cook groups, bots-as-a-service platforms, and retail scalping’s emergence. As technical advancements drove fierce competition, we unraveled the complex dynamics of this controversial industry.

API abuse and web application bot attacks are often confused. This is understandable, as both involve automated interactions and are usually executed by bots. Both attack vectors are prevalent; criminals are always eager to disrupt the foundations on which businesses base their operations to achieve their malicious goals and they frequently automate their actions for maximum results.

As Black Friday approaches, retailers are gearing up for the inevitable surge in online traffic. But cybercriminals are also preparing for this high-stakes season, fine-tuning their bot attack strategies to exploit inventory, pricing, and customer accounts. To shed light on these threats and what retailers can do to prepare, we consulted five experts from Netacea who shared their insights on the bot attack landscape during Black Friday and beyond.

Welcome back to our Evolution of Scalper Bots series from the Netacea Threat Intel Center. In our previous blog, we reviewed the early days of anti-bot legislation and its limitations, especially around ticket scalping. Traditional defenses like CAPTCHA quickly became insufficient, which spurred the development of bot management solutions.

Bot attacks are evolving to become more sophisticated. Attackers have built businesses around the data and assets they extract with bots, so they constantly seek ways to bypass defenses. Developers work tirelessly to assess bot defenses and find new methods to evade them. Traditional, client-side defenses are visible to attackers, making it easier for them to bypass. But even advanced defenses must stay alert, embedding bot expertise to keep pace with these evolving tactics.

In the digital era, websites are increasingly vulnerable to a variety of automated threats. These threats, executed by malicious bots, can lead to significant financial losses, data breaches, and compromised user experiences. To safeguard against these risks, it is imperative for websites to implement robust bot protection.

A silent danger is sweeping through the world’s critical infrastructure. The SecurityScorecard STRIKE Team has uncovered a resurgence of Volt Typhoon—a state-sponsored cyber-espionage group from the Asia-Pacific region, known for its precision and persistence. This is no ordinary attack. Volt Typhoon exploits unprotected, outdated edge devices within targeted critical infrastructure.