Understanding DDoS Attacks: What They Are and How to Protect Your Business

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are among the most disruptive cyber threats confronting enterprises today. These attacks don’t steal data or breach systems; instead, they overwhelm servers with fake traffic, causing websites to crash and services to become inaccessible. Even a small-scale attack can cripple resource-intensive applications, making them vulnerable to downtime and financial losses.

With the rise of DDoS-for-hire services, even attackers with minimal technical skills can execute large-scale attacks, targeting businesses of all sizes. What makes these attacks even more alarming is their ability to strike without warning, leaving businesses unprepared and scrambling to recover. The result? Lost revenue, frustrated customers, and a damaged reputation.

Let’s break down how DDoS attacks work, their signs, and the measures your business can take to stay protected.

Related: AI-Enabled Cybersecurity: Understanding How AI Can Strengthen Cybersecurity

What Is a DDoS Attack?

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack floods a website, server, or network with fake traffic, overwhelming its capacity and making it unavailable to real users. These attacks are often carried out using a botnet, a network of compromised devices like computers, IoT gadgets, and even websites, all under the attacker’s control.

DDoS attacks don’t aim to steal data or break into systems. Instead, they disrupt operations, causing downtime and financial loss. Unlike simpler Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, which originate from a single source, DDoS attacks leverage multiple devices to amplify their impact, making them harder to detect and block.

Signs Your Business Might Be Under Attack

Early detection of a DDoS attack is critical to minimizing its impact. Common signs include:

• Slow website performance: Pages load slowly, or features don’t respond.
• Complete unresponsiveness: The website or service becomes entirely inaccessible.
• Connectivity issues: Your network may experience significant slowdowns.
• Unusual traffic spikes: A sudden influx of traffic from unfamiliar or spoofed sources.

Recognizing these signs early allows you to respond quickly and mitigate damage.

Types of DDoS Attacks

DDoS attacks vary in complexity, but their impact is often measured using three key metrics:

1. Requests Per Second (RPS): Measures how many HTTP requests hit your server every second, commonly used for application-layer attacks targeting websites or APIs.
2. Packets Per Second (PPS): Tracks the number of packets sent to overwhelm network infrastructure, such as routers and firewalls.
3. Bits Per Second (BPS): Reflects the total data volume sent per second, often aiming to saturate the target’s bandwidth.

Each metric provides insight into the scale and nature of an attack, helping teams respond more effectively.

Why Are These Attacks So Common?

The rise of DDoS-for-hire services, also known as Booter Services, has made launching these attacks easier and cheaper than ever. For as little as $20, anyone can rent a botnet and disrupt an organization’s online presence. Combine this with the growing number of connected devices susceptible to compromise, and it’s no surprise that DDoS attacks are on the rise.

How to Protect Your Business

Defending against DDoS attacks requires preparation and the right tools. Here’s how you can safeguard your business:

• Invest In Scalable Infrastructure: Cloud-based solutions can absorb traffic surges and reduce the risk of downtime.
• Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAF): These act as a barrier, filtering out malicious traffic before it reaches your servers.
• Implement Rate Limiting: Limit the number of requests users can make to avoid overloading systems.
• Use A Ddos Mitigation Service: Tools like Cloudflare or Akamai specialize in identifying and neutralizing attacks in real-time.
• Monitor Traffic Patterns: Stay alert to unusual activity, such as sudden traffic spikes from unfamiliar sources.

A multi-layered approach combining these strategies ensures you’re better prepared to handle potential attacks.

Related: How to Build a Robust Cybersecurity Strategy for Your Business

Staying Resilient Against DDoS Attacks

DDoS attacks aren’t going away anytime soon, and their disruptive potential makes them a serious threat to businesses. The key to staying protected is a mix of awareness, proactive measures, and robust infrastructure. While attackers aim to disrupt, your preparation can ensure minimal downtime and maximum resilience.

Don’t wait for an attack to expose vulnerabilities. Strengthen your defenses now and keep your business running smoothly, no matter what comes your way.

Looking to safeguard your business from DDoS attacks? Partner with KiwiTech for advanced cybersecurity solutions that keep your operations secure and resilient.