DDoS Definition – What is Distributed Denial Of Service Attack?
Distributed denial of service (DDoS), is a computer attack that involves multiple hosts to take down a server. This causes a website’s crash. To disable large-scale popular websites, hackers use DDoS attacks. This is often done by attacking the target server with high volumes of information requests. This overloads the main computer and stops it from functioning, which in turn prevents legitimate users from accessing that website.
DDoS attacks can target any part of a company and its resources.
- Exploding the operating system
- Target alarms, printers, and laptops
- Disable a computer, service, or entire network
- Hitting system resources such as disk space, bandwidth or processor time, or routing information
- To drain system resources, exploit operating system vulnerabilities
- Malicious code that activates computer microcode and effects processors.
DDoS is a less complex form of cyberattack than other types, but it continues to evolve and become more sophisticated. There are three main types of attack:
- TCP State-Exhaustion Attacks
These attacks are directed at web servers, load bales, and firewalls. They exhaust the device’s limited number of concurrent connections. - Application Layer Attacks (connection-based).
Application layer attacks are also known as “Layer7 attacks” and target vulnerabilities in server or application software to establish a connection, exhaust it and monopolize transactions and processes. These sophisticated threats are difficult to detect as not many machines are required for the attack. This can lead to a low traffic rate which can appear “normal.” - Volumetric Attacks (connectionless).
These attacks are also known as “floods” and aim to send too much traffic to overwhelm the site’s bandwidth. Botnets are a collection of computers infected by malicious software that are controlled collectively by a hacker to execute volumetric attacks.
DDoS attackers are motivated primarily by:
- IdeologyHacktivists use DDoS attacks against websites they don’t agree with ideologies.
- Extortion: DDoS attackers use DDoS attacks or the threat of DDoS attacks to steal money from their targets.
- Cyberwarfare: Government-authorized DDoS attacks are employed to cripple opposition websites or an enemy country’s infrastructure.
- Business disputes: DDoS attacks are used by businesses to take down competitors’ websites.
- BoredomCyber hackers (or script-kiddies), use scripts that are prewritten to launch attacks DDoS attacks. These hackers are usually bored hackers looking for an adrenaline rush.
DDoS Attacks: Defense and Prevention
DDoS attacks could cause serious business problems and have lasting consequences. IT security administrators and IT managers need to be aware of the risks, vulnerabilities, and threats associated with DDoS attacks.
It is possible to reduce the business impact of DDoS attacks by following some information security best practices. This includes performing regular security assessments to identify and fix denial-of-service-related vulnerabilities. Also, you can use network security controls like services offered by cloud-based vendors that specialize in DDoS attacks.
Solid patch management, user awareness, and email phishing testing can all help to reduce an organization’s exposure to DDoS attacks on the internet.
Comodo Cybersecurity created cWatch to be an all-in-one web safety tool capable of stopping DDoS attacks. The cWatch Web App Firewall protects web applications and websites from advanced attacks such as DDoS, cross-site scripting, and SQL injection.
Comodo also offers other web security features
- Secure Content Delivery Network (CDN): To improve the performance of websites and web applications, a global network of distributed servers is used.
- Cyber Security Operations Center (CSOC). An entire team of certified cybersecurity professionals is available round the clock to provide surveillance and remediation services.
- Malware Monitoring and Resolution: It detects malware and provides tools and methods to remove it.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM).Advanced intelligence that leverages existing events and data from over 85M+ domains and 100M+ endpoints.
- PCI ScanningAllows merchants and service providers to remain in compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, (PCI DSS).
- Web Application Firewall (WAF).Real-time, powerful edge protection for websites and web applications, offering enhanced security, intrusion protection, and filtering.
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