Cloudflare Highlights Key Internet Trends of 2024

Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the leading connectivity cloud company, has unveiled its fifth annual Year in Reviewreport, spotlighting global Internet trends and security insights from 2024. The report covers topics such as record-high government-directed Internet shutdowns, increased malicious traffic, and a surge in cyberattacks targeting the Gambling and Gaming industries.

As the Internet becomes increasingly vital to modern life, it continues to drive critical connections, from enabling emergency services to facilitating financial transactions and global digital economies. Cloudflare’s 2024 analysis reveals a 17% year-over-year surge in global Internet traffic, underlining our growing reliance on digital connectivity.

“The Internet is woven into nearly every aspect of our lives—be it social media, smart appliances, or even rideshare apps. Behind the scenes, much of this connectivity runs through Cloudflare’s network,” said Matthew Prince, CEO and Co-founder of Cloudflare. “Our report provides a unique view into global Internet usage, resilience, and security trends.”

Key Highlights from Cloudflare’s 2024 Report

1. Most Popular Internet Services

• Google retained its position as the #1 most popular service for the third consecutive year, followed by Facebook (#2), Apple (#3), and TikTok (#4).
• WhatsApp entered the top 10 for the first time globally.

2. Generative AI Trends

• OpenAI held the top spot among generative AI services, while Codeium (#3), Claude (#5), and Copilot (#7)emerged as new entrants in the top 10.

3. Gaming Services Soar

• Roblox continued as the most popular gaming service for the fourth year, while Steam entered the top five, and Minecraft joined the top 10.

4. Rising Cyberattacks on Gaming and Gambling

• The Gaming and Gambling sector overtook Finance as the most targeted industry. Notably, cyberattacks surged during high-profile events like the U.S. Super Bowl.

5. Internet Shutdowns

• Over 50% of global Internet outages were government-directed, impacting countries such as Mozambique, Iraq, Syria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Shutdowns often coincided with civil unrest or to prevent exam malpractice.

6. Malicious Traffic

• While the Internet grew slightly riskier, with 6.5% of global traffic flagged as malicious, the increase from 2023 was marginal.

7. AI Bots and Crawlers

• Bytespider (ByteDance) and ClaudeBot (Anthropic) were the most aggressive AI bots, though their activity declined throughout the year.

Cloudflare Radar: Powering Insights

The data comes from Cloudflare Radar, a free tool powered by Cloudflare’s global network—spanning over 330 cities in 120+ countries—and its 1.1.1.1 public DNS Resolver. Radar aggregates and anonymizes data to deliver insights into Internet trends and security.

“Cloudflare Radar democratizes Internet data, offering a window into global patterns and trends. This year’s review continues our mission to keep the online world more informed and secure,” said David Belson, Head of Data Insight at Cloudflare.