A DDoS attack in cyber security is known as a Distributed Denial-of-Service attack. In this type of cybercrime, attackers target a server and flood it with internet traffic so users can not access websites and online services.
The purpose behind a DDoS attack is to take down an organization’s server and exploit vulnerabilities. The purpose can also be to gain financial advantages by stealing a company’s valuable data or affecting the company’s online operations.
In some cases, extortion is also involved, where attackers inject ransomware into the servers and then ask for large amounts of money to avoid any damage. In today’s digital era, DDoS attacks are the primary cyber threats to businesses, so companies need to be aware of these attacks and take safety precautions to stay safe.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing day by day, so more employees are working from home, which increases the chances of connected devices to the network being exposed. Therefore, businesses need to take it seriously and take the right steps to deal with DDoS attacks.
How DDoS Attacks Work?
The DDoS attack affects the services, devices, and networks that can generate fake internet traffic and infect systems and networks with it.
DoS vs DDoS
DDoS is the subcategory of the DoS attack. DoS attack targets a single internet connection with fake requests and tries to exploit vulnerabilities. On the other hand, a DDoS attack occurs at a large scale by using plenty of connected devices to achieve the ultimate goal.
Botnets
Another method that is used for DDoS attacks is botnets, in which attackers hack computing systems and install a malicious piece of code. It infects computers that are connected to the network. The attackers then use the botnet to penetrate the victim’s servers and send tons of connection requests that the server cannot handle.
How to Identify DDoS Attacks?
Recognizing odd traffic spikes from several sources is necessary to spot a Distributed Denial of Service attack. Slow websites, unresponsive apps, or total service failures are typical indicators. Traffic patterns from odd geographic regions or particular IP ranges may be visible to you. Inconsistencies, such as excessive queries to a single endpoint, can be identified via monitoring tools. Network monitoring, log analysis, and real-time warnings are also vital signs of the attack.
Types of DDoS Attacks
Attackers use different types of DDoS attacks that are classified according to the network connection layers that are targeted.
Volumetric Attacks
The goal of volumetric attacks is to overload a network’s capacity by sending it enormous volumes of traffic. Attackers frequently target services like websites, DNS servers, or APIs using botnets to create this traffic. UDP floods, ICMP floods, and amplification assaults like DNS amplification are examples of common techniques. By taking advantage of the internet’s bandwidth, these attacks prevent authorized users from accessing services.
Protocol Attacks
Protocol attacks use weaknesses in network protocols to deplete server resources and cause services to stop working. SYN floods, Ping of Death, and fragmented packet attacks are a few examples. This attack targets servers, load balancers, firewalls, and connection-handling systems.
Application-layer Attacks
Application-layer attacks target particular services or applications and frequently imitate authentic traffic. HTTP floods overload application resources like CPU or memory. These attacks are especially harmful since they frequently get past established defenses and require very little traffic to interfere with operations. Implementing web application firewalls (WAF), keeping an eye on user behavior to spot irregularities, and using CAPTCHA systems to differentiate between bots and actual users are some mitigation techniques.
How to Prevent DDoS?
To filter malicious traffic and spot threats early, organizations should utilize firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and WAF. Large-scale attacks can be prevented by using content delivery networks (CDNs), cloud-based DDoS mitigation services, and scaling infrastructure.
Here are some ways that can be used to mitigate DDoS that companies must leverage to keep their systems and networks safe.
Risk assessment
Thorough risk assessment is the first step in effective DDoS protection. Companies should identify key infrastructure, assess potential vulnerabilities, and assess the potential impact of assaults. Threats can be predicted by putting in place systems to track network activity and potential attacks. Understanding which systems need more robust protections is made easier with an updated asset inventory. Working with cybersecurity professionals can also help you in this regard.
Traffic Differentiation
During a DDoS attack, traffic distinction aids in differentiating between malicious attackers and authorized users. Incoming data packets can be evaluated in real-time by putting intelligent traffic analysis technologies like Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) or AI-driven analytics into practice. Finding odd trends, like surges in requests from particular IP addresses or strange behavior, is part of this process.
Black hole routing
Null routing, sometimes known as black hole routing, is a useful defense against DDoS attacks. It isolates dangerous data streams by sending malicious traffic to a “black hole” or non-existent place within the network. Although this method momentarily compromises the targeted resource’s accessibility, it shields the network from more extensive harm.
Rate limiting
Rate limiting prevents overload during a DDoS assault by restricting the number of requests a user may send to a server in a certain amount of time. Organizations reduce the danger of resource exhaustion by establishing thresholds on request rates. Modern rate-limiting algorithms provide flexibility while preserving security by dynamically adjusting to traffic patterns.
Firewalls
Firewalls filter incoming traffic according to pre-established security standards, so they are essential for preventing DDoS attacks. Malformed packets or an excessive number of connection attempts are examples of suspicious patterns that advanced firewalls may recognize and stop. Application-layer analysis and threat intelligence are combined by next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) to offer a strong defense against sophisticated DDoS attacks.
Threats of DDoS
There are different types of DDoS threats that you must know about so you can take the right precautions accordingly to avoid any type of loss.
Financial Loss
The DDoS attack can cause companies to lose a large amount of money, which can be a huge setback for any business and take a lot of time to recover.
Reputational Damage
DDoS attacks can dent the company’s reputation if its website or network is compromised. It can make customers lose their trust, which can cause serious harm to the image of any business.
Operational Disruption
The DDoS attack can paralyze the company’s operational matters, which can affect the company’s overall services and deter customers from staying with the company.
Conclusion
DDoS attacks have grown in the recent past, so it is crucial to address these threats and take the required steps to keep websites and networks of businesses safe. Also, due to continuous technological advancements, cyber threats are also growing day by day, so it is important for companies to have the right awareness and take safety precautions to ensure their valuable business assets remain secure.