Mitigating Distributed Denial of Service Attacks

Denial of Service (DoS) attacks involves hackers exploiting a certain resource which is shared on a network. This is done by overwhelming a network service or resource, such as a web server, with requests from one source such that it cannot accept any more requests that are directed to it. Distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS) differentiates from DoS in that the requests are sent from multiple sources which are connected to the network. Businesses in Ottawa might benefit from an Ottawa IT company to protect your IT infrastructure.

How DDoS Attacks are Launched

DDoS attacks are systematic and involve distinct steps to accomplish them.

1. Capacity Building

   In capacity building, a hacker builds a network of several infected computers known as botnets within the compromised network. Once they have successfully connected them, they are able to access these computers from a remote server outside the company network and perform malicious acts using the company’s online services. IT consulting companies in Ottawa can provide solutions to businesses whenever they suspect a capacity building attack on their computers.

2. Launching an Attack

   Using established botnets, hackers can generate massive amounts of data and direct them to a network server. The data may be in the form sending too many DNS queries for the server to handle. If there is a specific target within the network, botnets can be used to increase the bandwidth of that victim by sending large amounts of random data. Depending on the range of the botnets, attacks can range from disrupting a small company’s business network to crippling an entire state’s network system. It is advisable for businesses in Ottawa to seek network support from qualified IT companies so that they can prevent such serious damages from occurring.

DDoS Attack categories

There are three main categories of DDoS attacks.

• Volume based attacks are those which compromise the network by flooding it with data traffic. This data overwhelms the server and the bandwidth. This prevents other users from accessing the services offered by the network.
• Protocol attacks are directed towards specific network resources. They damage or compromise these resources in a way in which they lose their usefulness. As a result, these attacks prevent normal business transactions from taking place.
• Application attacks are those which are directed towards specific web applications which offer a certain service. These attacks are considered the most sophisticated kinds of DDoS because they require deep infiltration to occur.

All three attacks can greatly compromise network security. In some cases, they can even bring whole networks down. Businesses should seek out qualified network support companies in Ottawa to ensure their networks are well protected.