A DDoS attack (so-called distributed denial of service, in loose translation: Distributed denial of service) is one of the most common hacker attacks that target computer systems or network services.
A DDoS attack consists in a simultaneous attack from different places (from many computers). Such an attack is carried out mainly from computers, control over which is carried out using special software (for example, bots and trojans). This means that the owners of these computers may not even know that their computer, laptop or other device connected to the network can be used without their knowledge to conduct a DDoS attack.
The most commonly used computers for use in a DDoS attack are computers, smartphones, and other devices connected to the Internet that were not protected by an antivirus program. Do not forget to protect your equipment with an anti-virus program, (for example, Kaspersky, Norton Security, Avast Internet Security)
A DDoS attack begins when all captured computers start simultaneously attacking a web service or a victim system. The purpose of the DDoS attack is then flooded with false attempts to use the services (for example, it may be attempts to invoke a website or other requests).
Most often, after a DDoS attack, email services or websites may not be visible on the Internet.
Why does a DDoS attack cause service outages?
Each attempt to use a service (for example, an attempt to call a website) requires that the attacked computer allocates sufficient resources to process this request (for example, processor, memory, bandwidth), which, with a very large number of such requests, will exhaust the available resources, and as a result, a break in work or even suspension of the attacked system.
How to protect yourself from DDoS attacks?
DDoS attacks are currently the most likely threat to companies operating on the network, and their consequences go beyond the IT field only, but also cause real, measurable financial and image losses. Attacks of this type are constantly evolving and becoming more and more accurate. Their goal is to use all available network infrastructure or Internet connection resources.
On the Internet you can find offers for protection against DDoS attacks. Most often, such protection against DDoS attacks is activated by changing the DNS records that will direct all HTTPS traffic through the filter level, at which a detailed check of each packet and request is performed.
Then, advanced algorithms, as well as correctly defined rules, filter out the wrong packets and attacks, so only pure traffic gets to your server. Companies that protect against DDoS attacks are located in different parts of the world, so they can effectively block attacks at the source, and also serve static data from the nearest data center, thereby reducing page loading time.
IMPORTANT! Remember that a well-trained DDoS attack can bypass even the most advanced algorithms and security features.
DDoS attack and blackmail is a crime
The threat of a DDoS attack is sometimes used to blackmail companies, for example, auction sites, brokerage companies and others, where a break in the transaction system leads to direct financial losses for the company and its customers. In such cases, the people behind the attack demand a ransom for exiting the attack or ending it. Such blackmail is a crime.
