What is a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack?
A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to takedown a network, service, or website by overwhelming it with Internet traffic. In a DDoS attack, hackers gain control over a collection of devices that they use to generate a high volume of traffic capable of disrupting a targeted resource.
Unlike a traditional denial-of-service (DoS) attack, which is carried out from a single source, a DDoS attack utilizes multiple compromised devices to form a botnet that generates a high volume of traffic capable of crippling a targeted resource.
How does a DDoS attack work?
In a DDoS attack, cybercriminals deploy malware to exploit vulnerabilities and gain control of various devices, such as computers, servers, routers, and other devices. Collectively, these devices form a botnet, which hackers use to send a surge of Internet traffic to a targeted resource, disrupting its ability to handle legitimate requests.
There are several types of DDoS attacks, including:
Volume-based attacks: These attacks aim to consume the target's bandwidth by flooding it with high volumes of traffic. Examples include User Datagram Protocol (UDP) floods and Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) floods.
Protocol attacks: These attacks exploit weaknesses in network protocols, such as TCP/IP, to exhaust the target's resources. SYN floods and Ping of Death attacks fall into this category.
Application layer attacks: These attacks target specific applications or services, overwhelming them with a high number of requests. Examples include HTTP floods and Slowloris attacks.
How to protect against a DDoS attack
While it remains difficult to prevent DDoS attacks, there are measures you can take to minimize their impact:
Implement DDoS mitigation solutions: Deploy specialized DDoS mitigation services or hardware appliances that can detect and filter out malicious traffic, allowing legitimate traffic to reach your network or website.
Distribute your infrastructure: Use content delivery networks (CDNs) or load balancers to distribute your infrastructure across multiple servers or data centers. This helps to absorb and distribute the attack traffic, reducing the impact on any single point.
Monitor and analyze traffic: Regularly monitor your network traffic to identify any unusual patterns or sudden spikes in traffic. Implement traffic analysis tools that can detect and alert you to potential DDoS attacks in real-time.
Work with your internet service provider (ISP): Collaborate with your ISP to establish a plan for mitigating DDoS attacks. Many ISPs offer DDoS protection services that can help filter out malicious traffic before it reaches your network.
Talk to a managed service provider (MSP): Consult with a managed service provider (MSP) about solutions to protect against DDoS attacks, including firewalls, network security, and more.
