A DDoS attack is a type of cyberattack in which multiple computers are coordinated to overload a server or network. The goal is to make the service unavailable to users by sending an extreme amount of traffic.
In Swedish, DDoS attacks are often referred to as distributed overload attacks. Carrying out such an attack without permission is illegal and punishable by law in Sweden.
How does DDoS work?
DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service and involves a network of computers, often called a botnet, being used to send a large amount of traffic to a target. The attacker controls these computers and generates traffic through, for example:
- HTTP requests
- Pings and ICMP requests
- Customized network packets
- Amplification attacks
When the server or network is overloaded by traffic, it can result in the service becoming slow or completely inaccessible to users.
What is the difference between a DDoS attack and a DoS attack?
Both DDoS and DoS attacks are overload attacks, but they differ in how they are carried out:
- A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is a type of cyberattack in which multiple computers, often infected and controlled by the attacker, coordinate to overload a target with traffic from many different sources at the same time.
- In a DoS (Denial of Service) attack, the attacker instead uses a single computer to overload a service or network.
Because a DDoS attack is spread across multiple devices, it is more difficult to stop than a single DoS attack.
Common types of DDoS attacks
There are several different methods that attackers use to carry out attacks. Here are a few examples:
- Volume-based attacks: This type of attack overloads a network’s bandwidth by generating huge amounts of traffic toward a target. They can include Amplification Attacks, where small requests generate large responses, further amplifying the attack’s effect.
- Protocol attacks: Exploit vulnerabilities in network protocols to overload servers and network equipment. The attacker sends malicious or malformed packets to consume resources, leading to service interruptions or severely degraded performance.
- Applikationsskiktsattacker: Skickar legitima förfrågningar mot specifika applikationer eller tjänster, vilket gör dem svåra att upptäcka eftersom de liknar vanlig användartrafik. Dessa attacker kan göra en webbplats långsam eller helt otillgänglig.
How to detect a denial-of-service attack
DDoS attacks can cause significant disruption to businesses and organizations. In addition to lost availability, they can lead to financial losses, damaged reputations, and reduced customer confidence. The following signs may indicate that a DDoS attack is in progress:
- Slow or unavailable services: Websites or applications respond slowly or stop working altogether.
- Increased network traffic: A sudden and unusual increase in incoming traffic, often from many different IP addresses.
- System crashes: Servers or network devices become overloaded and crash due to the intense traffic.
- Abnormal traffic patterns: Traffic from unexpected geographical areas or at unusual times.
- Slow and difficult-to-detect attacks: For example, Slowloris can run in the background without generating a large amount of traffic.
How to protect yourself against DDoS attacks
To protect yourself against a denial-of-service attack, it is important to understand how it works and invest in appropriate protective measures. With the following measures in place, you are well on your way:
- Use DDoS protection services: Use specialized services that monitor and filter out malicious traffic before it reaches your company’s network.
- Build a scalable IT infrastructure: By using cloud-based solutions, resources can be quickly adapted to handle traffic spikes during an attack.
- Segment the network: Divide the network into smaller parts to limit the impact of an attack to a specific section, protecting the rest of the system.
- Continuously monitor network traffic: Active monitoring helps to quickly identify and respond to unusual traffic patterns that may be signs of an ongoing attack.
- Develop an incident response plan: Have a clear plan for how to handle a DDoS attack, including assigning responsibilities and communication strategies.
- Use intrusion prevention systems: Use protection systems such as WAF and advanced DDoS protection solutions. These tools can filter and block malicious traffic, reducing the risk of overload.
- Work with your internet service provider: Many providers offer DDoS protection that can be activated to ward off attacks before they reach your network.
Dotkeeper helps you with online security
DDoS attacks can cause serious downtime, reduced availability, and financial losses. Minimizing these risks requires a strong IT infrastructure with robust security solutions.
Dotkeeper helps you and your business secure your digital assets through services such as:
- Premium DNS – Improves availability and can reduce the risk of DNS-related DDoS attacks through redundancy and better load management.
- Certificate Management – Automated management of SSL certificates that protect websites from attacks and prevent security breaches.
- DMARC & Email Security – Protects your company’s domains from being exploited in phishing attacks and strengthens email security.
Contact us to learn more!