A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is an attempt to make a network, server or Web site unreachable by flooding the system with a massive amount of data traffic. The intent is to deplete the target's resources, denying legitimate users access. Unlike a standard Denial of Service (DoS) attack, which uses a single resource to carry out the attack, a DDoS attack uses a network of infected computers (also known as a botnet) to carry out the attack.
How does a DDoS attack work?
A DDoS attack works by using thousands, sometimes even millions, of malware-infected devices to attack the target. These infected devices, often scattered around the world, all send requests to the server or network at the same time. The server cannot handle the huge volume of data traffic, leading to delays or complete shutdown. Attackers often choose DDoS attacks because they are relatively easy to execute and can cause significant damage without requiring direct access to the target's network.
Types of DDoS attacks
There are several types of DDoS attacks, including:
- Volumetric attacks: These focus on saturating the available bandwidth by sending large amounts of data traffic.
- Protocol attacks: These exploit weaknesses in network protocols, such as SYN flooding, to overload the target server.
- Application layer attacks: These target specific applications, such as Web sites or APIs, and attempt to overload the underlying server by mimicking legitimate requests.
Why are DDoS attacks dangerous?
DDoS attacks are dangerous because of their ability to temporarily or permanently disable vital services. Companies can suffer significant financial losses due to downtime, and their reputation can be tarnished. In government services, the failure of critical infrastructure can lead to widespread disruptions of essential services. Although DDoS attacks are often temporary, they can have serious consequences, especially when combined with other types of attacks, such as ransomware or data theft.
How can DDoS attacks be prevented?
- DDoS mitigation: Using special services designed to fend off DDoS attacks by filtering traffic can help reduce the impact of an attack.
- Network segmentation: By dividing networks into different segments, an attack on one part of the network cannot affect the rest.
- Load balancers: These distribute incoming traffic across multiple servers, reducing the chance that one server will be overloaded.
- Rate limiting: Allows limiting the number of requests a single user can make, which can help prevent DDoS attacks.
- Proactive monitoring: Early detection of suspicious traffic patterns can help to intervene quickly and reduce damage.
Conclusion
DDoS attacks are a growing threat in today's digital landscape and require a proactive approach to be prevented and mitigated. Through technologies such as DDoS mitigation services, network segmentation and early detection, organizations can better guard against these attacks.