# When Do Brute Force Attacks Spike?

- Link: https://www.limitloginattempts.com/blogs/cyber-security/when-do-brute-force-attacks-spike-during-the-holidays/
- Published: 2023-02-18T17:12:16+00:00
- Author: Greg Fisher

While brute force attacks remain a potential threat throughout the year, they tend
to spike during periods characterized by **heightened web traffic** or **exploitable
events**, amplifying the risk of cyberattacks. In this article, we’ll discuss the
patterns and triggers behind brute force attacks, and how you can best prepare.

## Why Do Brute Force Attacks Spike During Periods of High Traffic?

Surprisingly, hackers operate their activities akin to a **legitimate business**,
aiming for profitability by generating revenue to **sustain their attack resources**;
they thrive when web traffic and purchasing activities are at their peak. For instance,
if a hacker infiltrates your website, compromising the online store, they might 
strategically exploit the situation by targeting peak sales periods like holidays
or events. Alternatively, they could **hold your website hostage**, creating a challenging
scenario, especially during your busiest times of the year.

## Holiday Shopping Seasons

Holiday seasons, marked by a surge in online shopping and vacations, witness an 
uptick in brute force attacks, particularly in **November** and **December**, as
increased web traffic accompanies festive sales and promotions; similarly, **May**
experiences heightened activity due to events like the **onset of summer**, **Mother’s
Day**, and **Memorial Day** in the United States, [contributing to increased cyber threats](https://cybermagazine.com/articles/cyber-threat-severity-rises-during-vacation-says-research)
in the e-commerce and travel sectors. As millions of travelers are on the move, 
away from their desks, hackers seize these moments as opportune times to infiltrate
your website, taking advantage of potential delays in response.

> **At LLAR, our data reveals a direct correlation between elevated traffic during
> holiday events and a rise in unsuccessful login attempts across our network, while
> the slowest months for attacks, likely attributed to fewer global events, are 
> January, February, and August.**

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## Global Events

Brute force attacks may surge during major **global events like the Olympics or 
presidential elections** due to increased web traffic, distracted users, opportunistic
timing, economic and political motivations, and higher stakes. The significant influx
of online users provides a **larger pool of potential targets**, while distracted
individuals become more susceptible to cyber threats.

The higher stakes associated with such occasions make them **attractive targets **
for those seeking financial gain, political influence, or to create widespread disruption,
emphasizing the need for heightened cybersecurity measures and user awareness.

##  Success Stories Hundreds of Agencies Across The World Use LLAR

![Photo Marica Brewster](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/wp-content/themes/llar/
images/marica-brewster-full.webp)

![Photo Marica Brewster](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/wp-content/themes/llar/
images/marica-brewster-card-full.webp)

My number one priority with my clients is to keep their sites safe. I set them up
with Limit Login Attempts on every new website. Our team gets an instant heads-up
whenever there's any failed login attempts. When it comes to brute force protection,
trust me, there's no better plugin out there✌!

Marica Brewster

Von Mack Agency

![Signature Marica Brewster](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/wp-content/themes/
llar/images/marica-brewster-signature.png)

![Photo Dan Woods](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/wp-content/themes/llar/images/
dan-woods-full.webp)

![Photo Dan Woods](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/wp-content/themes/llar/images/
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All of my sites use Limit Login Attempts Reloaded. It’s one of the first things 
I add when I take on a new client. Very simple to set up and upgrade. My favorite
feature is the performance optimizer so my clients don’t eat up my server resources
when they are under brute force attacks

Dan Woods

Vincent James Marketing

![Signature Dan Woods](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/wp-content/themes/llar/
images/dan-woods-signature.png)

## Should I Take Extra Precautions During Elevated Periods?

If your website employs **robust password practices, enforces login restrictions,
and maintains effective account policies**, these measures should prove satisfactory.
Additionally, we advise implementing [login restrictions based on country ](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/blogs/guides/block-logins-by-country-in-wordpress/)
to **minimize exposure**. In cases where high website traffic may lead to heightened
brute force attack risks, consider outsourcing the defense against such attacks 
to the cloud, as recommended in the [Performance Optimizer by LLAR](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/features/performance-optimizer/).

## Conclusion

In summary, LLAR maintains the view that hackers are most likely to target your 
business when it’s most vulnerable, often during periods of peak revenue or heightened
web traffic. To safeguard against such threats, we strongly advocate for top-notch
protection. Elevate your defense with [LLAR Premium](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/plans/),
offering advanced security measures to ensure hackers are kept at bay. Take the 
first step today and fortify your website against potential cyber threats.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Why do brute force attacks tend to increase during holiday shopping seasons?**

Brute force attacks see a surge during holiday shopping seasons, particularly in
November and December, as **heightened online traffic accompanies festive sales.
Cybercriminals exploit increased web activity during these periods, targeting e-
commerce and travel sectors.**

**How are brute force attacks connected to major global events like the Olympics
or presidential elections?**

Brute force attacks may escalate during major global events due to **increased web
traffic, distracted users, opportunistic timing, and higher stakes.** The influx
of online users provides a larger pool of targets, making individuals more susceptible
to cyber threats.

**Why do hackers target businesses during periods of high web traffic and revenue?**

Hackers view businesses as most vulnerable during periods of peak revenue and web
traffic. Operating similarly to legitimate businesses, **cybercriminals aim for 
profitability by exploiting opportunities when purchasing activities are at their
peak.**