For many website owners, increasing traffic is a top priority. Who wouldn’t want more customers or a larger audience for their content? After all, there’s no such thing as too much traffic— or is there? The truth is the type of traffic matters. The wrong kind of traffic can cause serious issues, such as security threats, server overload, and a negative impact on SEO rankings. For example, bots can drive up traffic numbers but contribute nothing valuable, wasting resources and potentially harming your site’s reputation. It’s crucial to focus on attracting quality traffic that adds value to your website.
That’s why today we’ll discuss one of the most common ways traffic can go wrong: DDoS attacks. We’ll explain what they are, why they’re harmful, and how to protect your site from them.
DDoS Attacks: What They Are and How They Work
DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service. These attacks target websites and online services by overwhelming their servers with fake traffic, causing them to become inoperable and unavailable to legitimate users. DDoS attacks typically involve a network of compromised devices, a botnet, that flood the target with massive amounts of data. As a result, the site becomes slow, crashes, or is completely inaccessible. These attacks can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and lead to financial losses, making it crucial for website owners to implement protective measures.
There are several ways a DDoS attack can occur. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll focus on one of the most common methods: botnets. A botnet is a network of compromised devices, often spread across the globe, that are controlled remotely by an attacker. These devices, including anything from computers to smartphones, are infected with malware that allows the attacker to direct them to flood a target website or server with massive traffic. The overwhelming traffic disrupts the site’s ability to function, often causing downtime or service unavailability.
A botnet is a network of remotely controlled, hacked computers that work together to overwhelm a web service or website with more data requests than it can handle. These computers are compromised through malware or existing vulnerabilities. Once infected, the hackers install Command and Control (C2) software, which enables them to coordinate an attack that can bring down a website or service.
Consequences of DDoS Attacks on Websites and Businesses
DDoS attacks may not seem like a big deal at first. After all, what’s a little downtime? However, downtime can have catastrophic consequences for online businesses that rely on being constantly available. Whether you operate an e-commerce store or an online service, if your site becomes inaccessible, it can lead to frustrated users, lost customers, and significant financial losses.
Furthermore, DDoS attacks can often have broader consequences than expected. In 2016, Dyn, a DNS provider, was targeted by DDoS attacks. The impact was widespread, causing major platforms like Airbnb, Reddit, PayPal, and Netflix to experience significant downtime. This disruption affected countless users across the US and Europe.
More recently, Amazon Web Services (AWS) revealed that in February 2020, it successfully mitigated the most significant DDoS attack ever recorded, with a volume of 2.3 Tbps (Terabits Per Second). To put this into perspective, Amazon reported that the attack was 44% larger than any previous one, and the service remained in an elevated threat status for three days. Fortunately, AWS experienced minimal downtime thanks to its DDoS protection service, AWS Shield.
How to Protect Your Website from DDoS Attacks
Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a significant first step for website owners. A WAF is a barrier between your site and incoming traffic, blocking common security threats, including DDoS attacks. Many free and paid WAF services are available, including plugins for platforms like WordPress.
One effective solution for avoiding downtime during a DDoS attack is to use a Content Delivery Network (CDN). A CDN consists of a network of servers distributed globally that work together to speed up content delivery. When you use a CDN, your website’s content is stored on these servers and your primary server. This enhances website performance, especially for users far from your primary server. In the event of a DDoS attack, your website should remain operational, as your content is already backed up and cached across multiple locations.
For general internet users who want to avoid inadvertently turning their devices into part of a botnet, installing reliable antivirus and security software on all their digital devices is crucial. This includes their laptops and PCs and Internet of Things (IoT) devices like webcams, security cameras, home routers, and even baby monitors. These devices are often overlooked since people don’t typically consider them computers. However, they have been the target of several large-scale botnet attacks, including the Dyn attack mentioned earlier.
Conclusion
DDoS attacks are an unfortunate reality of life online, and they are expected to become more sophisticated as time progresses. However, following basic website security practices can go a long way in protecting your site. Installing security applications like WAF and anti-malware software on your website server and digital devices will provide strong preventive measures. At the same time, a CDN can help ensure your site remains operational if it becomes a target. Regularly updating software, monitoring traffic patterns, and staying informed about emerging threats can further strengthen your defenses. By taking these proactive steps, you can minimize the risk and impact of a DDoS attack on your website and online services.