DDoS attacks
Whether you have a small website or a large business website, you need to protect your web hosting from DDoS attacks. A DDoS attack occurs when a group of computers – known as a botnet – sends a flood of requests to a web server, causing it to crash. This type of attack can also cause a host to reply with an ICMP ‘Destination Unreachable’ packet, which saps host resources. This can cause inaccessibility to the affected web site and lead to lost business.
These attacks are typically performed by a botnet – a group of infected computers that use default credentials to access the web server. The botnet controller then takes control of the infected machines, and they follow the instructions of the controller. Normally, the controller will have created a Trojan horse computer program. The botnet will take over the infected machines, and it will do everything it can to shut down the web server. The botnet can also be responsible for click fraud, spam and ransomware.
When you are planning to use a hosting service, make sure that the service provider can provide quality DDoS mitigation services. This can help you prevent a DDoS attack from occurring, and it can also help minimize the damage a DDoS attack can cause to your website. Some web hosting providers offer a free service, while others charge a fee. If you do not want to pay for the service, consider a provider that offers a paid add-on. You may even be able to switch IP addresses to divert the attack.
The type of protection your hosting provider provides directly affects the volume of threats that can be mitigated, and the speed at which your web hosting service can respond. Some web hosting companies use black hole routing, which essentially directs traffic away from your web site. Other web hosting companies use a combination of methods, such as firewalls, black hole routing and scrubbing networks.
When choosing a hosting provider, look for one that has a good firewall. Some web hosting providers also offer server-level DDoS mitigation tools. A good firewall can help stop a DDoS attack from occurring once it starts. You can also monitor web traffic and look for signs of an attack. Some security personnel may recommend that you set up an alert if you see abnormal traffic. However, this may not be a sign of malicious activity.
You should also put together a team to respond to an attack. The team should include members from your IT department, and you should know their roles and responsibilities. You should also identify the resources that will be affected by the attack, and how the attack will affect your business. If your business is affected, you should consider the impact it has on your customers.
It is also a good idea to consider what a normal traffic spike looks like for your website. If your site gets affected by a spike in traffic, it is a good idea to let your hosting provider know. If you notice that the traffic is a lot higher than usual, it may be a sign of a DDoS attack.
