As we move further into the 21st century, businesses are more reliant than ever on internet-based services.
This makes them increasingly vulnerable to data breaches and cyber attacks, including DDoS attacks.
Learn how to protect your business from DDoS attacks.
With more and more businesses relying on internet-based services, the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks is rising exponentially.
One type of attack that cybersecurity experts have been keenly keeping their eyes on in recent years is the DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack because of its targeted and malicious nature and the scope of potential damage to an organization’s reputation and finances.
Understanding DDoS Attacks
DDoS is a cyber attack that prevents someone from accessing online services or websites.
Rather than breaking into the system, DDoS attacks inundate the service with too many requests to function properly. Many large companies, such as Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and other financial institutions, have been victims of DDoS attacks in recent years.
Experts predict that DDoS attacks will be one of the biggest cyber security threats facing businesses in 2023.
Thankfully, there are ways to help protect against DDoS attacks, such as employing an expert IT team or a DDoS protection service.
Understanding what DDoS attacks are and how to protect against them is important for anyone using the internet.
Common DDoS Attack Methods
There are several DDoS attacks, from simple ping floods that clog up bandwidth to sophisticated malware infections that exploit weak points in the software.
Volumetric Attacks
In its simplest form, DDoS attacks pertain to volumetric attacks, basically floods of traffic aimed at clogging up the target’s available bandwidth or crashing the service outright.
These attacks often target time-sensitive transmissions such as video playback to try to fully consume website traffic. As such, these types of attacks are measured in bits/second.
It essentially prevents legitimate users from accessing their requested information or service because the organization’s servers are preoccupied with answering requests from botnets.
Protocol Attacks
Protocol attacks can be classified into session hijacking and message tampering.
In a session hijacking attack, the attacker takes control of an established communication session by intercepting and manipulating packets, allowing them to inject their malicious data into the session.
In a message tampering attack, the attacker modifies the contents of a message in transit, causing the recipient to process incorrect or malicious data.
These attacks often target load balancers and firewalls meant to protect against Volumetric Attacks, which make them more difficult to detect and defend against.
Application-layer Attacks
Hackers may also target application and operating system vulnerabilities that an organization uses.
It doesn’t need to have the same volume as volumetric attacks, but its highly targeted nature makes it less likely to be detected.
These can target HTTP, TLS, FTP, SMTP, and other OS-side stack. Because of its targeted nature, application-layer attacks are often measured as requests/second.
As technology continues to evolve, DDoS attacks will no doubt become more complex, so it’s important for us all to stay up to date on common attack methods so we can be prepared if something strikes our networks.
Common Ways of Mitigating DDoS Attacks
One of the best ways to prevent DDoS attacks is to use a web application firewall (WAF). A WAF is like an extra firewall, almost like adding a security guard outside your business to watch for suspicious activity.
Additionally, ensuring your website runs on secure protocols such as HTTPS will further increase online security from DDoS attacks by authenticating connections between the server and client.
Content delivery networks which act like speed bumps for malicious traffic can also be useful when preventing DDoS attacks.
It’s also important to ensure that websites are regularly updated and patched against new threats; this prevents attackers from taking advantage of software vulnerabilities to launch an attack.
Finally, having a good communication set-up with colleagues and maintaining Cybersecurity awareness throughout the organization can go a long way in protecting from any potential attack.
Security Measures You Can Implement to Mitigate DDoS Attacks
Cybersecurity is more important than ever, and businesses must take precautions to protect their systems.
These measures may seem daunting at first, but they are essential for keeping your data safe and secure.
Investing in cybersecurity now can save you a lot of time and money later!
Implement system upgrades and maintenance.
You can also implement system upgrades such as load balancers and network and application firewalls that automate TCP connection closing when it reaches a certain threshold.
You can also invest in monitoring tools and automated scrubbing services that can detect and mitigate malicious traffic before it reaches your servers.
Regularly assess your DDoS readiness through stress tests.
Performing stress tests will help you understand the readiness of your system to tackle any DDoS attack.
These tests measure the performance of your defenses and pinpoint any potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
Hire a dedicated cybersecurity provider.
By hiring an experienced cybersecurity provider, you can ensure your system is protected from digital intruders.
This includes everything from securing access points and enforcing strict password requirements to implementing two-factor authentication and 24/7 monitoring activity on your network.
What’s New in Cybersecurity?
In today’s digital world, staying up-to-date on the latest trends and news in cybersecurity is essential if you want to protect yourself from online threats.
From large corporations to individual consumers, understanding the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity is key to staying secure online.
It can be hard to keep track of all the new updates and developments, but fortunately, there are easy ways to stay informed.
Regularly checking tech and security websites for the latest news can help you remain one step ahead of cybercriminals.
Many helpful organizations are also dedicated solely to educating people about cybersecurity so everyone can learn how to best protect themselves in our increasingly technological world.
You can start by reading up on this United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s guide to effective DDoS response.
Parting Thoughts
It is important to remember that a DDoS attack is a serious threat, as it can cause untold damage and potentially render even the most well-oiled businesses inoperable.
By understanding DDoS attacks, implementing security measures against them, and staying up-to-date on the latest trends and news in cybersecurity, you can significantly reduce the chance of an attack occurring for or against your organization.
It’s also beneficial to work with an experienced network security team who can help provide guidance and keep you protected.
Failing to take proactive steps to protect yourself against these attacks can leave your entire infrastructure vulnerable and unable to withstand a potent attack.
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