DDoS attack is one of the most dangerous cyber threats businesses must be aware of.
The Internet is not a safe ground to play on anymore. As you know, owning an online business, whatever the size, or just by checking your e-mails as a regular user, you can fall into painful traps created by web criminals. Cybercrime and its variety of threats have grown a lot, and unfortunately, everything points that they won’t stop.
What is a DDoS attack?
The DDoS attack is a distributed-denial-of-service type of cyber attack. It means a DDoS attack objective is to overwhelm a server, computer, or network with huge loads of traffic generated from multiple sources. When the target goes down, its services or the access to it for regular users will be denied.
When criminals succeed in taking down your business, that will affect your profits. In addition, it will add expenses for fixing the problem and hit your reputation. Besides, a DDoS attack can be a distraction prepared by criminals for another data breach attack. If your website remains unavailable long time, even your position in the search engines could be affected.
How does DDoS attack work?
There are different types of DDoS. Let’s describe the stages they involved in general terms.
1. Type of technique for attacking.
This will define the way to produce the big traffic loads that are required to disrupt their target. For instance, criminals can use a botnet. They can create it by infecting the devices, or they can rent one on the dark market. Criminals can also use an amplification factor, a specific vulnerability to exploit for multiplying the power of the attack.
2. Attack execution.
Criminals direct the traffic to their target to drown it for the denial of service to be gotten. This could take a long time. Sometimes even months.
3 Final score.
The target managed to stop the attack, so it’s safe. Or criminals got their malicious goal.
How to protect yourself from a DDoS attack?
- Always update your systems. If you host your own DNS server, constant maintenance is a must. You should check for possible vulnerabilities or failures and update regularly. Not updating can leave vulnerabilities without fixing. Remember, software developers, are constantly working on patches to close the little gaps criminals love to use.
- Traffic monitoring. Technology for constantly monitoring traffic and detecting strange patterns and sudden traffic spikes is very important for preventing a DDoS attack.
- Get a load balance technology. It distributes traffic directing it from one server to another, looking for a balance that prevents servers from being stressed. Quality load balance providers offer robust networks for distributing really big traffic loads. This means a big advantage to handle DDoS threats.
- Get an anti-DDoS technology. To strengthen your shield against DDoS attacks requires modern technology. Not a single tool, but a combination of them. It will cost you, but far less than to pay the after-effects of an attack.
- Have a plan. Design a clear and viable plan considering different scenarios, including the worst, that criminals shut your business down. Think about your alternatives to keep operating (totally or only essential areas) and get back on track as soon as possible.
Conclusion.
The consequences of DDoS attacks can devastate all types of organizations if they don’t enable security measures to prevent and mitigate.
Despite the dangers, the Internet is still an attractive ground to grow wealth and new businesses. It’s a must to learn how to play smartly and cautiously to win in a harsh environment.
