DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) is an attack where multiple compromised systems are used to target a single system, overwhelming it with traffic and causing a denial of service. This type of attack aims to disrupt the normal functioning of the targeted system, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
How DDoS Attacks Work
DDoS attacks are typically launched using a botnet, a network of compromised computers controlled by the attacker. These botnets generate a massive volume of traffic directed at the target, overwhelming its resources and causing it to crash or become unresponsive.
Types of DDoS Attacks
- Volumetric Attacks: Overwhelm the target's bandwidth with a flood of traffic. Examples include UDP floods and ICMP floods.
- Protocol Attacks: Exploit weaknesses in network protocols to exhaust the target's resources. Examples include SYN floods and Ping of Death attacks.
- Application Layer Attacks: Target specific applications or services on the target system, causing them to crash. Examples include HTTP floods and Slowloris attacks.
Consequences of DDoS Attacks
- Service Disruption: Legitimate users are unable to access the targeted system, leading to potential loss of business and customer trust.
- Resource Exhaustion: The target's resources, such as bandwidth, CPU, and memory, are overwhelmed, causing system slowdowns or crashes.
- Financial Loss: Organizations may incur significant costs to mitigate the attack and restore normal service.
- Reputation Damage: Prolonged service disruptions can damage the organization's reputation and lead to loss of customers.
Mitigation Strategies for DDoS Attacks
- Traffic Filtering: Implementing firewalls and intrusion prevention systems to filter out malicious traffic.
- Rate Limiting: Limiting the number of requests a system can handle to prevent overload.
- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Distributing traffic across multiple servers to reduce the impact of an attack.
- DDoS Protection Services: Using specialized services that provide real-time protection and mitigation against DDoS attacks.
- Redundancy and Failover: Implementing redundant systems and failover mechanisms to ensure continuity of service during an attack.
