A cyber attack that aims to overwhelm a target's resources, making it unavailable to users.
Description
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic. This type of attack involves multiple compromised computer systems, often referred to as a botnet, which are used to send a massive volume of requests to the target. The sheer amount of requests can exhaust the resources of the target, causing it to slow down significantly or even crash completely. DDoS attacks can vary in size and complexity, and they can target any online service, making them a common threat in the cybersecurity landscape. High-profile DDoS attacks, like the one against GitHub in 2018, which peaked at 1.35 terabits per second, showcase the potential scale and impact of such attacks, leading to widespread service disruption and significant financial losses for businesses. Organizations often implement various defenses, such as traffic filtering and rate limiting, to mitigate the risk of DDoS attacks.
Examples
- The attack on GitHub in February 2018, which was one of the largest recorded DDoS attacks.
- The 2016 DDoS attack on Dyn, a major DNS provider, which disrupted services for platforms like Twitter, Netflix, and Reddit.
Additional Information
- DDoS attacks can be classified into three main types: volumetric attacks, protocol attacks, and application layer attacks.
- Organizations can use DDoS protection services that specialize in traffic analysis and rerouting to defend against these attacks.