While that may sound benign, the cost of a DDoS attack averaged $2.5 million in 2017. Kaspersky reports that DDoS attacks cost small businesses $120,000 and enterprises $2,000,000. Hackers engage DDoS attacks for anything ranging from childish pranks to revenge against a business to express political activism.

DDoS attacks are illegal under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Starting a DDoS attack against a network without permission is going to cost you up to 10 years in prison and up to a $500,000 fine.