Cyber criminals tying up emergency phone lines through TDoS attacks

Emergency-service providers and other organizations are being targeted with telephony denial of service (TDoS) attacks, according to a security alert from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI obtained by security expert Brian Krebs.

TDoS attacks use high volumes of automated calls to tie up target phone systems, halting incoming and outgoing calls. "Dozens of such attacks have targeted the administrative PSAP [public safety answering point] lines (not the 911 emergency line)," according to the alert. "It is speculated that government offices/emergency services are being 'targeted' because of the necessity of functional phone lines." Emergency service providers aren't the only organizations being targeted: "Many similar attacks have occurred targeting various businesses and public entities, including the financial sector and other public emergency operations interests, including air ambulance, ambulance and hospital communications."