What is a DDoS Attack?
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of Internet traffic. This is achieved by using multiple compromised devices, often forming a botnet, to send a deluge of requests or data packets simultaneously.
How DDoS Attacks Work
DDoS attacks exploit the resources of the target system, causing it to slow down or become unresponsive. The attackers typically use a range of techniques, such as:
- Volume-based attacks: These involve overwhelming the target with a massive amount of traffic.
- Protocol attacks: These focus on exploiting weaknesses in the protocols of the target.
- Application layer attacks: These target specific applications, sending requests that consume server resources.
Impact and Mitigation
The impact of a DDoS attack can be significant, leading to downtime, loss of revenue, and damage to reputation. Businesses can mitigate these risks by employing DDoS protection services, rate limiting, and implementing redundancy strategies.