How to Prevent DDoS Attacks

There is a reason why cyber hackers preferred to use DDoS attacks over other methods of cyber attacks. In this article, we'll explain what they are, why they are often the cyber attack of choice, and what you can do to prevent them. 

what is DDoS?

DDOS stands for Distributed Denial of Service, which is a common method for digital assaults. DDoS attacks are when a web service is intentionally overwhelmed by traffic from many sources. In a DDOS, the cyber attacker floods a company’s server with so many requests that it shuts down. The resulting downtime of the company website can cause thousands of dollars in loss in the course of one day.

There are various DDoS methods. A Syn attack is when an attacker sends large volumes of connection requests to overwhelm a server. It basically leaves the server waiting for a response from the originating system that never arrives. The bogus connection request will eventually time out, but in the meantime, the connection is not available to legitimate users.

Another tactic is to use DNS (Domain Name System). A lot of network providers have their DNS servers configured to allow anyone to launch queries, which makes them vulnerable. Additionally, because DNS uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is a stateless protocol, it's an easier way to create a denial of service. All the attacker has to do is find open DNS resolvers, craft a fake UDP packet that has a spoofed address, and send it to the DNS server. Albeit the request comes from the attacker (otherwise known as a botnet). The server thinks that request came from the server and will send the reply to that location. So instead of having the actual botnet conduct the attack, the only thing the target site will see is a bunch of DNS replies coming from many open resolvers, all around the Internet. This is a very scalable type of attack because you can send a single UDP packet to a DNS server asking for a full dump of a certain domain, and receive a very large reply.

Because websites are frequently attacked, it's important that those in charge of them do everything they can to deflect them and remain accessible. Even if you have a smaller site, you may not know how vulnerable you are until the attack comes.

WHY DOES A BUSINESS NEED DDOS PROTECTION?

The greatest impact of a DDoS attack is downtime. If customers can not access the company website for services, they are more likely to seek services from one of your competitors.

Additionally, DDoS attacks are getting more sophisticated. Instead of a random barrage of requests, the attacks are starting to become targeted to specific areas of the company server. Some DDoS attacks are even being used as a front to cover back-end data hacks.

how to Prevent a DDoS attack

Now that you know how scary DDoS attacks are, you're probably wondering, "How do I prevent a DDoS attack?" Here are our top tips for DDoS attack prevention:

1. Plan in advance 
   Sure, there is rarely a way to see an attack coming. The same is true of a Texas tornado that rips your house apart. You wouldn't own a house without insurance, right? Cybersecurity is essentially insurance for your business. The best defense against a DDoS attack is having a solid Backup and Disaster Recovery plan implemented before you're in the middle of an attack.
   
   
2. Deploy Network Detection and Response (NDR) Security
   It's extremely difficult for threat attackers to hide their activity on the network. NDR security solutions support rapid investigation, intelligent response, and enhanced threat detection across on-premise, cloud, and hybrid environments. Detecting attacks at the network level prevents attackers from knowing if they're being observed and you have immediate knowledge of what devices are using the network. 
   
   
3. Incident Response Planning 
   Another aspect you need to prepare is an Incident Response Plan (IRP) that accounts for DDoS mitigation. When a problem occurs and customers experience it, you'll thank your lucky (Lone) Star(s) when you can use that IRP with the customer responses you've already drafted.
   
   
4. Migrate to Public Cloud Services
   

   One reason that public cloud services are an attractive option for many businesses is the built-in DDoS protection.  For example, Microsoft Azure contains enhanced DDoS mitigation features to defend against DDoS attacks.

5. Partner with a Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP)                                                                                                                              Your Texas cloud solutions provider should be able to provide complete solutions that include built-in protections to prevent DDoS attacks from ever happening.

6. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP)                                                                                                                                           If you suspect you're seeing the impact of a potential DDoS attack, it's likely that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is, too. Contact them for good measure.

DDoS attacks are expensive problems, but Texas cybersecurity companies like Centre Technologies can help you plan proactively to reduce your upfront risk. Don’t wait until you’re a victim to equip your business with DDoS protection. Contact Centre Technologies today for a security risk assessment to avoid issues like this.