Rapper Bot DDoS botnet is now being described as one of the most powerful cyberattack networks ever uncovered. Federal investigators have accused a 22-year-old man from Oregon of operating this massive botnet that disrupted systems across the world. Authorities believe the network was capable of carrying out attacks at a scale rarely seen before, leaving governments, businesses, and online platforms vulnerable until its shutdown in August 2025.
What Was the Rapper Bot DDoS Botnet?
The Rapper Bot DDoS botnet, also known as the Eleven Eleven Botnet and CowBot, was a large-scale attack system made up of tens of thousands of compromised devices. It infected routers, DVRs, and other internet-connected devices by exploiting weak security credentials. Once under control, these devices were used to overwhelm targets with enormous waves of traffic in what is called a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.
On average, the botnet launched attacks that reached two to three terabits per second. In some cases, the assaults peaked at more than six terabits per second. That kind of power placed it among the most dangerous botnets ever documented.
Over its lifespan, Rapper Bot is estimated to have carried out more than 370,000 attacks against nearly 18,000 victims spread across 80 countries. High-profile targets included a U.S. government network, the Department of Defense, the social media platform X, and the artificial intelligence company DeepSeek.
The Arrest in Oregon
Federal authorities identified and arrested Ethan J. Foltz, a 22-year-old resident of Oregon, in August 2025. He is accused of building, maintaining, and renting out Rapper Bot as a for-hire cyberweapon. Prosecutors charged him with aiding and abetting computer intrusions, a serious crime that carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Investigators traced Foltz through his digital activities. Despite using virtual private networks, he left behind a trail that linked him to the botnet. PayPal and Gmail accounts tied to his name were found to be used for the botnet’s infrastructure. His Google Drive reportedly contained Rapper Bot’s source code, and he frequently searched for news about the botnet online, signaling his ongoing monitoring of its impact.
How the Botnet Was Taken Down
On August 6, 2025, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Foltz’s residence. During the raid, he cooperated with officials and helped them gain administrative access to the network’s control systems. This allowed investigators to disable the botnet and stop any further attacks.
Since the shutdown, no new attacks linked to Rapper Bot have been detected, confirming that the dismantling was successful. The operation was a coordinated effort that included the Department of Justice, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and private sector companies such as Akamai, AWS, Google, Cloudflare, and PayPal.
How Rapper Bot Worked
Rapper Bot operated by breaking into poorly secured Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Many of these devices, such as routers and DVRs, still use default passwords or outdated security settings, making them easy targets. Once infected, the devices became part of the botnet army, ready to flood a chosen target with overwhelming amounts of internet traffic.
The network was structured around command-and-control servers that issued instructions to the infected devices. There were also separate client servers where customers could pay to launch attacks. Typically, each customer was allowed up to 100 attacks, with a maximum attack length of about 60 seconds.
One of the reasons Rapper Bot lasted as long as it did was because of how it was managed. Foltz carefully limited the number of active devices in the botnet, keeping it around 65,000 at one time. This balance was powerful enough to launch devastating attacks but small enough to avoid drawing too much attention from security researchers.
Financial and Operational Impact
The damage caused by Rapper Bot was not only technical but also financial. A single 30-second attack at two terabits per second could cost a target anywhere between $500 and $10,000 due to wasted bandwidth, service outages, and loss of revenue. For smaller companies and organizations, these costs could be crippling.
Rapper Bot also became a tool for extortion. Criminals, including gambling operators in China, allegedly rented access to the botnet to pressure targets into paying money. Victims were often threatened with sustained attacks unless they complied.
Connection to Past Botnets
Rapper Bot was not built from scratch. Experts found that it shared code with earlier botnets linked to Mirai, the infamous malware that first appeared in 2016 and went on to inspire countless other attack networks. Like Mirai, Rapper Bot took advantage of the explosion of insecure IoT devices around the world.
This connection highlights a troubling reality: once malware code is released online, it can be endlessly adapted and reused by new actors. Rapper Bot is simply the latest and most extreme example of how this trend continues to evolve.
Law Enforcement Collaboration
The takedown of Rapper Bot demonstrates the power of collaboration. The investigation was part of Operation PowerOFF, an international initiative aimed at dismantling DDoS-for-hire services. By pooling resources and intelligence across government agencies, cybersecurity companies, and internet providers, authorities were able to strike at the heart of the botnet and neutralize it.
The case also shows that anonymity online is not guaranteed. Even skilled operators who use VPNs and encryption often make small mistakes. In Foltz’s case, overlapping accounts and careless activity allowed investigators to link him to the botnet’s infrastructure.
The Future of Cybersecurity Threats
While Rapper Bot has been dismantled, cybersecurity experts warn that other botnets are waiting in the wings. The ongoing growth of Internet of Things devices creates endless opportunities for hackers. Millions of devices with poor security practices are added to the internet every year, making it easy for attackers to build new networks.
For individuals, the lesson is clear: change default passwords, apply updates, and invest in basic network security. For businesses, especially smaller organizations, access to affordable DDoS protection is critical. Without it, even a short attack can cause serious disruption.
Governments and companies must also continue to share intelligence and cooperate internationally. Cybercrime crosses borders effortlessly, and without joint efforts, the fight against botnets becomes nearly impossible.
What Comes Next for the Accused
Ethan Foltz now faces federal charges. If convicted, he could serve up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing will depend on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the evidence presented in court. His arrest sends a strong signal to others involved in running or renting DDoS-for-hire services that law enforcement is increasingly capable of tracking them down.
Conclusion
The Rapper Bot DDoS botnet stands out as one of the most powerful cyberattack networks ever dismantled. Its takedown not only stopped hundreds of thousands of attacks but also demonstrated how effective global cooperation can be against modern cybercrime. At the same time, it serves as a warning: as long as insecure devices remain online, new threats will emerge. Vigilance, stronger security practices, and ongoing collaboration will be the keys to preventing the next Rapper Bot.
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