DDoS attacks are increasing every day, and every Web Server is a target. This is why DDoS protection is no longer an option, but a necessity for any Website or Host trying to prevent downtimes, loss of revenues, and other problems including damaged reputations.
A DDoS Attack is an attempt to make a Web Server or Website unavailable or to go down by overwhelming it with traffic from numerous sources. The attacks will target a broad range of websites from banks and news sites and target small businesses, individual websites, political platforms. No Website or Web Server is immune to DDoS Attacks.
DDoS attacks can have a damaging consequence on a businesses bottom line, both with mitigation costs and lost revenue. The attacks result in lasting damage to the reputation of a company and could hurt customer loyalty.
Attackers create a network of infected machines called botnets. This is done by spreading malicious software through Websites, Social Media, and even emails. They can then manipulate these machines without your knowledge or consent and even use these machines as an army to launch an attack against the targeted Website or Web Server. Some botnets can be hundreds or thousands of computers linked in an attack. An unprotected website stands almost no chance.
Botnets can produce massive floods of traffic to overwhelm a Server. The floods can be produced in a large range of different ways, which can include sending vast amounts of random data to consume the target's bandwidth.
Unfortunately, almost anyone can get their hands on DDoS For Hire Services through underground markets to disrupt a company’s online operations.
The most common symptom of a DDoS attack is when a website, Server, or services suddenly becoming slow or unavailable.
Keep in mind that a number of causes, such a legitimate spike in traffic, can create similar performance issues. Traffic analytics tools can help you spot some signs of a DDoS attack.
There are other, more specific signs of attacks that can vary depending on the type of DDOS attack.
These aim to exhaust the resources of the target and interfere with access to the Web Server or Website. They fill the botnets with a complex request that overwhelms the target Server. And If the target Web Server receives thousands or millions of requests, it can be overwhelmed and either slow down or stop completely.
This type of attack is focused on the networking layer of the target Web Server or Website. Its focus is to overwhelm the table space at the firewall, central network services or load balancer that sends requests to the target. Generally, network service follows the first in first out (FIFO) command, where the Server processes the first request before it goes to the next one. In a DDoS Attack, the queue can become so large that the Server lacks the resources to handle the first request.
The botnet is used to generate a large amount of traffic and block the works on the target – more of like an HTTP Flood attack, but with more exponential response component. Think of 50 orders coming in for 20 items each at the same store at the same exact time. When such an attack is directed to a Web Server, it will increase the response size, and the traffic amount explodes and clogs up the target.
In February 2018, there was the first-ever terabit-size DDoS attack. This was followed days later by an attack nearly twice that big, measuring 1.7 Tbps. (terabits per second).
Not only are more DDoS Attacks being launched today, but the attackers are also uncovering new ways to integrate the latest technologies for large scale attacks. In 2019, the attacks inclined towards big volumes and large websites, but in 2021 we have seen the highest level of attack ever recorded. And this is not about to slow down.
Attackers are starting to combine the attacks with other expensive illegal activity that can raise the recovery cost to include compulsory customer notification, breach reporting, and more complex recovery.
DDoS Attacks are increasingly multilayered and multivector, using a blend of massive volume attacks and stealth infiltration. This is the newest trend in an evolving landscape where perpetrators adapt their services and utilize advanced tools and abilities to try to evade and overcome existing defenses. Organizations need to maintain a consistent vigilance on the methods used to target their systems and constantly adjust their defenses as per the industry standards to stay safe.
A good hosting provider should have staff that is experienced in stopping DDoS attacks. In the event that you identified symptoms of a DDoS attack, contact your hosting provider and ask for their help. Depending on the Provider, they might have detected and stopped it before doing any harm.
But for any organization, the best solution is to plan ahead for a DDoS attack. Using a “Always On” type of protection or clear protocols in place for your business to follow when the attack occurs.
For example, instead of stopping all traffic, you might continue to allow users to use the website as much as you can. You could also switch to a different system to work from.
Businesses that are vulnerable to attacks on mobile devices should make sure that private devices connected to the corporate network have an approved mobile security solution to protect against infections. And the means to prevent installation of unauthorized apps. Your IT department should be vigilant in sniffing out and intercepting any malicious communications.
If it is absolutely necessary to share login information, make sure that it is sent via encrypted channels.
RSH Web Services includes DDoS protection with all hosting plans.
