Defined as a denial of service attack, a DDoS attack is a program that sends an infinite number of requests to a server is overloaded and shut the computer down. The aim of this attack is to make a server or website available to its users. There are several different methods in which the attack can be conducted. Although the reasons for such an attack may vary, the end result is consistent.
Most web sites specific to these types of attacks include:
* Banks
* Credit card payment gateways
* Root name servers
* E-commerce sites
The most common method of attack is to flood the server with an unlimited number of applications that can not communicate with legitimate traffic. This causes the server to slow to a halt, to the point where cash is represented as a result of any action the timeout. This usually forces the target to reboot or using server resources to a point where it can no longer function as intended.
Another popular method of DDoS is a change in the server configuration information such as routing data. If this is intercepted and blocked, communication can be completely closed. Similarly, the breakdown in the means of communication between users and the victim can be targeted. Finally, many attackers target specific components of the network as the real server with the intent to disrupt the flow of information.
DDoS attacks are illegal because they violate proper Internet Architecture Board from the Internet usage policy and conditions of service of all Internet service providers. The problem is that DDoS attacks are so difficult to trace the culprit or culprits may never be discovered.
There are a number of programs that can be used for DDoS attacks, many of which were created for other uses, the less evil. These programs are typically injectors packages to perform many other tasks. On the other hand, there is a software developed specifically for denial of service attacks. Examples of resources are legitimate, hping, httping and socket programming.
DDoS can and have caused major problems for many organizations online. The challenge of preventing DDoS is that you can not predict and therefore all companies can be affected. The best prevention is to have an excellent security system mixed with redundant servers and backup systems class. This will ease the burden established by DDoS attacks.