Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack Definition
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious effort to disrupt the normal functioning of a network, service, or website by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack Key Points
- A DDoS attack overloads a network or a website with enormous volumes of traffic.
- It is distributed because the attack comes from multiple sources, making it difficult to stop.
- These attacks can cause significant disruption of services and even financial losses for the affected enterprise.
- They are typically executed by botnets – networks of compromised computers.
What is a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack?
A DDoS attack is an increasingly common form of cyberattack where multiple compromised computers are used to flood a targeted system with traffic, effectively bringing it down. This is often done by attackers to disrupt the operation of a website, network, or online service, causing downtime and often, significant financial damage.
Why are DDoS Attacks Launched?
There are multiple reasons why DDoS attacks are initiated. Some attackers do it for financial gains, holding a network or a website hostage and demanding ransom. Some might launch a DDoS attack as a distraction, drawing the attention of security teams away from other malicious activities happening simultaneously. Others might do it purely as an act of vandalism or spite.
How Does a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack Work?
A DDoS attack uses multiple computers and internet connections to flood the targeted system with traffic. These attacks often employ ‘botnets’ – networks of compromised systems that can be controlled by the attacker. The attacker commands these botnets to send data packets to the target system, overwhelming its bandwidth and causing it to crash or shut down.
Where Do Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks Occur?
DDoS attacks can target any system that is connected to the internet. This includes servers of businesses and organizations, network service providers, or even the networks of individual users. As such, they can occur virtually anywhere globally where an online service is being hosted.
When are Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks Likely to Occur?
DDoS attacks can happen at any time and are often difficult to predict. They can be particularly harmful if they occur at peak hours when the targeted service is at its busiest. Some attackers may time their attacks to coincide with significant business events like product launches or sales promotions to maximize the damage.
Who is Affected by Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks?
Just about anyone can be affected by a DDoS attack. Businesses and organizations are common targets, as disruption of their services can impact a large number of users and cause significant financial losses. However, these attacks can also target government services, universities, and even personal home networks, affecting both the service providers and their users.
