Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are a growing security threat that targets online systems and websites with the intention of rendering them inaccessible to their users. This is accomplished by overwhelming the target’s network with a large volume of traffic, effectively rendering it unable to handle the incoming requests. There are several different types of DDoS attacks, each with its own unique approach to disrupting the target’s network. In this blog, we will explore the three main categories of DDoS attacks: volumetric, protocol, and application layer attacks.
Volumetric DDoS Attacks:
Volumetric DDoS attacks are the most common type of DDoS attack, and as the name suggests, they focus on overwhelming the target’s network with a massive amount of traffic. These attacks can be accomplished in several ways, including using a large number of compromised devices (bots) to send requests, or by using amplification methods that increase the size of the attack. Some common examples of volumetric attacks include ICMP Flood, UDP Flood, and TCP Flood. These attacks can be particularly effective as they consume all of the target’s available bandwidth, making it difficult for legitimate traffic to get through.
Protocol DDoS Attacks
Protocol DDoS attacks target the underlying protocols that enable communication on the internet, such as TCP and UDP. These attacks can be accomplished by exploiting known vulnerabilities in these protocols, or by overwhelming the target’s network with malformed packets that cause the target’s systems to crash. Some common examples of protocol attacks include SYN Flood, Ping of Death, and Smurf attacks. These attacks can be particularly devastating as they can crash entire networks, causing widespread downtime and disruption.
Application Layer DDoS Attacks:
Application layer DDoS attacks target the actual applications running on a website or online service. These attacks are accomplished by overwhelming the target’s servers with a large volume of requests, causing them to become slow or unresponsive. Some common examples of application layer attacks include Slowloris and GET Flood attacks. These attacks can be particularly effective as they can take down even the most robust networks and are often difficult to detect and mitigate.
In conclusion, DDoS attacks are a growing threat to online systems and websites, and it’s important for organizations to understand the different types of attacks that can be launched against them. Volumetric, protocol, and application layer attacks each have their own unique approach to disrupting the target’s network, and it’s important to be aware of these methods in order to properly defend against them. By employing the right combination of network security measures and traffic filtering techniques, organizations can effectively protect themselves from these devastating attacks.
