DDoS Attacks
DDoS attacks refer to distributed denial-of-service attacks. This is a cyber-attack where the perpetrator uses another network or computer to send an overwhelming surge of traffic to a target website or network or server with the intention of disabling it.
Because most networks or websites have a limit as to the amount of traffic they can process, DDoS attacks seek to supersede this capacity thus causing the target computer to crash.
Small to mid-sized businesses should take DDoS attacks seriously. According to recent statistics by the World Bank, these types of businesses account for over 90% of all businesses worldwide. They are also responsible for close to 60% of all employment. That’s monumental.
They are also the most unprepared when it comes to DDoS attacks.
A simple cyberattack can completely cripple a small business. It is not unusual for attacks such as DDoS (Denial of Service attacks) to shut down a business for hours or even days.
Types of DDoS attacks
To successfully guard against DDoS attacks, you need to understand the most common types:
Application-layer attacks
This is where an attack is launched against the first layer of the protection that interacts with the web. This can be a browser attack (https, http, DNS and SMTP)
Protocol attacks
This narrows the attack on the actual network connectivity routes by either sending malformed or very slow pings or partial data packets. This interferes with the target computer’s memory banks causing it to crash.
DDoS attacks can cripple a business or organization
According to a recent report, cybercrooks have turned to a sophisticated yet simple way to extort businesses. It’s called ransomware and it has quickly crept to the top of the list of the malware threats that small business must contend with.
The average victim in the U.S. loses approximately US$5,900.In 2019, this number increased by over 200%!.
Other costs associated with DDoS attacks include the cost of investigating the attack, formulating remedies, buying new equipment, loss of business, and even reputation.
Solutions to DDoS Attacks
There are a few steps any company can take to guard against coordinated DDoS attacks:
- Use a VPN
Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) has proven effective against DDoS attacks. VPNs form the first line of defense by rerouting traffic. Because they’re first lines of defense, VPNs are better equipped to defend against coordinated cyber attacks.
2. Backups
Regular data backups are essential for everyone. The backups should also be tested regularly to see if they are functioning correctly. That ensures no critical taa is lost after a DDoS cyber-attack. It is also common for businesses to store critical data offline..
Additional remedies
Additionally, all employees should undergo regular training so as to be up-to-date on cybersecurity best practices. This diminishes the chances of them clicking on malicious links in their emails that could be laced with ransomware. They can also be trained against plugging in unknown USB devices that could be loaded with malware.
