Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) works by overwhelming a targeted server, network, or service with a flood of internet traffic. This is typically achieved using multiple compromised devices, often forming a botnet, that simultaneously send a massive amount of requests or data packets to the target. The target becomes overwhelmed and is unable to handle the excessive load, causing it to slow down significantly or become completely unavailable to legitimate users.
DDoS protection works by detecting and mitigating malicious traffic aimed at overwhelming a target system. This can involve a variety of techniques such as traffic analysis, rate limiting, IP blacklisting, and deploying specialized hardware or cloud-based services designed to absorb and filter out malicious traffic. DDoS protection systems can differentiate between legitimate and malicious traffic, allowing genuine requests through while blocking or redirecting harmful traffic to ensure the target system remains operational.
DDoS attacks still work and continue to be a prevalent threat. Despite advancements in security measures and mitigation techniques, attackers constantly develop new methods and tools to circumvent protections. The increasing number of internet-connected devices and the availability of DDoS-for-hire services contribute to the ongoing effectiveness of DDoS attacks.
DDoS attacks are launched by using multiple internet-connected devices, often infected with malware, to send a large volume of traffic to a target. These devices can be controlled remotely by the attacker, who coordinates the attack through a command and control (C&C) server. The attack can involve various methods such as volumetric attacks, protocol attacks, and application-layer attacks, each designed to exhaust different resources of the target system.
A DDoS attack happens for various reasons, including disrupting business operations, extorting money, causing reputational damage, or making a political statement. Attackers may target specific organizations, industries, or services to achieve their goals. In some cases, competitors or disgruntled individuals may initiate DDoS attacks to harm a rival or settle personal grievances. The motivation behind DDoS attacks can vary widely, but the common objective is to render the target system unavailable or significantly degrade its performance.