Website DDoS Attack
A website DDoS can block your website traffic within seconds. Unlike in the past when these attacks were just annoying, today they are a significant threat. DDoS attacks are evolving both in prevalence and size.
Studies suggest that there was a massive increase in major attacks between the initial quarters of 2018 and 2019. Recovering from major attacks can cost small businesses thousands of dollars, leaving them with a big financial burden.
Why Is a Website DDoS Malware Disastrous?
While there are various DDoS attacks, cybercriminals leverage the DDoS type of attacks to bar authentic traffic from a site. Multiple remote-regulated computers on varying networks overwhelm servers with false requests. The network of computers used to initiate the attack is referred to as a botnet.
Many times, the numerous requests can trigger a server crash, which sends the targeted site offline. In cases where the website does not crash, it may slow down so much that it adds less value to the users.
What is the Cost of a Website DDoS Attack?
The loss of authentic site traffic following a website DDoS attack can be pricey for all businesses. Some studies suggest that victims of website DDoS attacks can lose nearly $50,000 in earnings per attack.
Many companies find it hard to regain their reputation after an attack. By failing to adopt the best DDoS protection tools, you risk compromising customer trust. Remember, once your customers lose trust in your brand, winning them back can be a difficult task.
How Do DDoS Attacks Occur?
Cybercriminals plan website DDoS attacks early. Here is how they do about executing an attack.
They Develop a Web of Gadgets
Cybercriminals often hack into mobile gadgets and computers and inject them with malicious software. Some DDoS attackers utilize DVR and CCTV cameras to initiate a website DDoS attack. Through the malicious software, they can discharge requests from the affected gadget to the targeted site. Attackers can also hire a readily available botnet from the dark web.
They Initiate Numerous False Requests
Attackers rely on the malicious software available in each gadget on the network to authorize the devices to circulate requests to the targeted server.
Detecting a DDoS attack tool
It is worth mentioning that website DDoS attacks come without a warning. Hackers can initiate volumetric invasion on your website. Seeing that website owners do not browse their sites constantly, recognizing when the site is under attack can be a difficult task.
Often, website owners will only realize after visitors or customers start complaining that the website is down. Even then, knowing that the website is under a DDoS attack could take time. As a result, customers will be disappointed, and you will lose revenue. One of the best ways to prevent a DDoS attack is to recognize the signs early. Here is how you can go about it.
Monitor Your Website Traffic
During a DDoS attack, cybercriminals discharge numerous requests to your website, meaning there will be an unusual spike in traffic. You can use various tools to check your website such as Google Analytics. While it may not show real-time information, you can activate them. You can also monitor your website traffic with a website security plugin. If you notice an unusual amount of traffic that could be an indication of a website DDoS attack.
Check the Site’s Data Usage
The aim of a website DDoS attack is to cripple your site’s resources. You can determine the number of website resources that are in use. Many hosting providers indicate your site’s stats on your dashboard. Login to your hosting account, and click “Manage hosting” to view your usage stats.
Usually, it takes massive traffic on your site to cripple its resources. If you notice that your bandwidth and CPU usage has hit their limits that could be an indication of a DDoS attack. Once you figure out that you are under attack, you should use a DDoS website tool to stop the attack.
Preventing a DDoS Attack
Preventing a website DDoS attack is easier than recovering from it. Here is how you can stop possible attacks.
Use a Web Application Firewall
A web application firewall (WAF) can protect your site against the most powerful DDoS threats. DDoS-support-enabled WAFs divert illegitimate traffic to other CDNs, reducing the load from your server. You can use your WAF together with a site scanner or any other intrusion detection tool. These tools are crucial when it comes to recognizing illegitimate bot traffic and removing malware immediately.
Activate Security Alerts
Some administrators activate notifications that alert them in the event of an unusual traffic load. Some systems are designed to eliminate network packets that trigger malicious traffic. You do not have to be techno-savvy to receive these security alerts as your web scanner and firewall help you recognize and remove threats.
Finally
Every business owner should understand how to prevent a website DDoS attack on their sites. Remember, as technology advances, these attacks will become more common in the future. Adopt the right measures to safeguard your gadgets and seal all gaps that might make you an easy target.
