Internet infrastructure strained as demand for servers surges 30%

As the number of people across the world staying home increases due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so too does the strain on internet infrastructure.

The significant boom in demand for bandwidth as people work, stream and browse to stave off boredom at home has resulted in a 30% increase in demand for internet servers, according to Heficed.

eCommerce has seen a boom as many stores remain shut due to safety policies and subscription-based digital services are seeing unprecedented levels of traffic as out-of-home entertainment is no longer a viable option for many.

Internet service providers are extending data caps to meet the newfound reliance on the network, however, some experts express uncertainty concerning internet infrastructure's ability to keep up with the rapidly growing demand.

"The amount of time people are spending online, whether it be for work or leisure, has been immense, which is not surprising considering all the restrictions that have been enforced," says Heficed chief executive officer Vincentas Grinius.

"In pursuance to maintain stability, the demand for internet servers has risen by at least 30% and, based on how the current events are developing, the need to accommodate the reliance will only continue to grow," adds Grinius.

According to Grinius, Heficed has accumulated enough server stock supply to meet the current demand and lessen the strain on the infrastructure, as a wide range of hardware is kept in storage facilities throughout the US and Europe.

The company is also encouraging companies to lease their unused IP resources via the IP address market in order to facilitate more resources for ISPs and others in need of network infrastructure.

Business VPNs, that give workers direct access to their company's system through a private network, have been overwhelmed by the employee usage.

High-capacity VPNs will to mobilise in anticipation for an increased load, as they are essential for workers employed by large companies or organisations with hefty remote requirements.

Security is also a top concern for organisations taking their operations away from premises, and, ever the opportunists, cyber attackers are taking advantage of the situation which has captured the entire planet's attention.

Phishing has so far been the tactic of choice for cyber criminals.

Many cases have come to light which use branding associated with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as country-specific health agencies such as the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and China's Ministry of Health.

Attackers have begun to realise the utility of COVID-19 as a cyber attack vector, as a huge number of newly registered virus-domains have emerged.

Attackers can use this infrastructure to prey on the fears of ordinary people wanting to know the latest updates, where they may click on a seemingly helpful website and be directed to a malicious campaign.