The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, now in the billions, coupled with the advancements in network infrastructure and the swift deployment of 5G, necessitates heightened agility from network operators and IT managers in pinpointing and rectifying security flaws.
Additionally, in today's landscape, organizations are under constant threat from different types of attacks. These include ransomware, hacktivism, and DDoS attacks, all with the goal of either stealing information or causing disruptions in services.
DDoS attacks are a particularly serious form of online service disruption, and they can occur due to either malicious intent or legitimate situations.
Cybercriminals are now employing the cloud to orchestrate DDoS attacks. India has witnessed a notable uptick in such attacks, capable of causing disruptions lasting from hours to even days. This not only affects revenue but also undermines customer trust and tarnishes reputation. Furthermore, targeted organizations may encounter legal or regulatory consequences, particularly if customer data is compromised.
There are three primary categories of cloud-based DDoS attacks: volumetric, protocol, and app layer. Seasoned Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and cloud providers have robust DDoS filtering and defenses in operation. In order to effectively combat DDoS attacks, clients must swiftly detect attacks, implement countermeasures, closely oversee their systems, and incorporate detailed configurations.
Now we will learn what are DDoS attacks, how to identify them, and their preventive measures.
What are DDoS attacks?
A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack is when someone tries to disrupt a server, service, or network by flooding it with an enormous amount of internet traffic. This flood overwhelms the target and its supporting infrastructure.
To make DDoS attacks work, the attackers use many hijacked computer systems to send attack traffic.
These compromised systems can be regular computers or even devices like smart gadgets connected to the internet.
In simple terms, a DDoS attack is like an unexpected traffic jam that blocks the usual flow of traffic on a highway, stopping it from reaching its destination.
How to detect a DDoS attack on your system?
When dealing with a DDoS attack, the most noticeable sign is a sudden slowdown or complete unavailability of a website or service. However, it's important to note that similar performance issues can arise from various causes, including a legitimate increase in traffic. This is why it's crucial to conduct further investigation.
To identify potential DDoS attacks, traffic analytics tools play a vital role. They can help in recognizing certain red flags:
- Unusually high levels of traffic originating from a single IP address or within a specific IP range.
- A surge of traffic coming from users who share similar behaviour traits, such as device type, location, or web browser version.
- An abrupt and unexplained increase in requests directed at a particular page or endpoint.
- Peculiar traffic patterns, like sudden spikes during unconventional hours or patterns that seem artificial (for example, a spike occurring every 10 minutes).
Ideal preventive measures that organizations should adopt against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are as follows:
- Firstly, strengthening security measures involves regularly applying updates, fine-tuning configurations, and reinforcing systems to withstand potential attacks, thus effectively safeguarding them.
- Secondly, deploying Anti-DDoS Measures entails configuring resources to be less susceptible to attacks. In the event of an attack, it is crucial to ensure that it does not lead to a complete organizational disruption.
- Thirdly, leveraging Anti-DDoS Tools enables the activation of functionalities and the incorporation of specialized instruments to provide a defense against DDoS attacks or reduce their potential impact.
- Fourthly, developing a DDoS Response Strategy involves preparing your security or operations team for managing a DDoS attack and implementing additional measures to safeguard the system.
- Furthermore, establishing DDoS monitoring entails vigilantly watching for indicators of an attack and meticulously documenting them for future enhancements.
In today's highly interconnected world, where digital technologies play an ever-expanding role, organizations would be wise to collaborate with a cybersecurity specialist. This becomes particularly crucial if cybersecurity is not their main focus or if they operate with budget constraints.