NTT Docomo, Japan’s largest mobile carrier, was hit by a massive cyberattack on January 2, 2025, when a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) assault overwhelmed its systems, causing widespread disruptions. The attack flooded NTT Docomo’s networks with traffic from multiple sources, rendering several services inaccessible for about 12 hours.
The company has over 90 million subscribers. The company reported that its website, news platforms, and mobile payment systems were hit by the attack. However, its core communication and mobile services remained intact. According to NTT Docomo, access was restored around 4:10 p.m. on the same day after disruption started at around 5:27 a.m. Most services were returned to normal, although some content updates remained delayed. The company formally apologized for the inconvenience.
NTT Docomo hasn’t yet identified the hackers, but some experts believe it may have been the ransomware group responsible for an earlier attack in September 2023. The hackers were allegedly part of the group Randomwed. Vc, are known to be involved in previous high-profile cyber attacks.
This attack follows a long series of cyber incidents targeting telecommunications firms worldwide. In 2024, Japanese companies included Casio, Japan Airlines, and Fujitsu; there was also a ransomware attack on Japan’s largest port, which caused significant disruptions. DDoS attacks increased by 30% in 2024 with many believed to be politically motivated and targeting critical infrastructure and government services.
NTT Docomo’s response underscores the vulnerability of global telecommunications to cyberattacks, which have become a pressing concern for essential services.
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