Best Practices to Prevent DDoS Attacks
Caroline Black is a writer who specializes in Internet Security and Technology. It seems impossible that a website hack or DDoS attack could ever happen, but it happens. An attack is now easier than ever. Targets can be every-day beauty bloggers. It doesn’t matter what, it pays to be aware before the problem occurs. Continue reading!
The most common and terrifying attack cybercriminals use to attack websites is the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS). Although there are many variations to this attack, the basic idea is that the traffic is so high that it overwhelms the bandwidth and servers of the website. You have probably seen websites go viral so fast that the site crashed from the excess traffic.
DDoS attacks can have the same effects, but they are different.
You only need to review the history of several government websites, Spamhaus, and the attack on Church of Scientology’s website if you want to see examples of major DDoS attacks in recent times. You can find many more examples by doing a quick Google search. Botnets that can provide brute force for an attack cost $50 per hour, and they are easy to locate.
These vicious attacks can be prevented by knowing the following:
Here are some tools to help you
Virtual Private Networks
Virtual Private Networks are a service that connects your website to an external secure server. Your traffic will be rerouted through an offsite server. This secure connection masks your online activities. It was originally designed to protect businesses and provide access tools, but is now used by everyday consumers to safeguard themselves online against a range of threats.
Hackers on public networks are one of the biggest threats that a VPN protects against. They will often use “sniffer” programs to monitor your online activities and intercept any data they want, such as financial information or login credentials. This could lead to a hijacked site, so a VPN is one way to protect yourself.
A VPN also offers anonymity, which is a crucial feature. You can keep your online activities private without worrying about organizational tracking or hacker tracking. Because your IP address is hidden, it will allow you to access blocked websites that are otherwise restricted in your region.
This is crucial because the IP address of a website owner or website’s owner can be used to launch a DDoS attack. Hackers need an address in order to launch an attack. If you’re not online, you are safe.
Plugins
You might be able to find help from security plugins if you use WordPress as your web host. Many of these plugins have DDoS protections that can be activated to protect you. Your website might be optimized to reduce DDoS risk. WordFence and Bulletproof Security are great options. As time goes by, new tools will emerge so make sure you keep your skills current.
Editor’s Note: I love iThemes Safety. No matter what you use, make sure your site and data-wpel-link are up to date. Take your time to go through the configuration. It’s not active just because you installed it.
Plugins are great, but you need to be careful when using them. Many plugins are not designed for security, and their creators often neglect them. Use only trusted applications that have been tested and are well-reviewed. Test the products with someone else.
You can use WordPress to build your website. Take a look at the strategies and tools that were used and implemented in the best tools. Then, search for scripts and applications that achieve the same effect.
Although it may take some specialist searching, the protection is well worth it.
Useful Strategies
Surveillance
While plugins and other tools can be helpful, they cannot replace your experience and knowledge when it comes to protecting yourself from a DDoS attack. They are familiar with your website and can tell you what loading times to expect. A delay of two seconds on certain pages might indicate that your website is being attacked by DDoS. This will allow you to take corrective action.
Regularly review everything on your website. Although it is unlikely, you should do a thorough sweep of your website every few months. Also, make sure to check your main pages every day. You should be cautious if you find anything unusual. This applies to your website’s performance statistics. Don’t think that poor performance is a sign of a bad day. Examine to determine if any technical problems exist.
Editor’s Note I love setting up Google Analytics intelligence alerts and server reports. You should automate this process because it’s essential.
You need to be familiar with your website and your service provider. You should know what protection you have in place before you start. It is best to not worry about it if they are charging you, but sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands to ensure you have complete protection.
Do not look for trouble
While you have every right to defend your website’s credibility and your online reputation, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be looking for trouble. Hackers love a challenge and will attack anyone who is put to the test. Unskilled hackers will attempt a DDoS attack against you and pay money to hire a botnet.
Do not fall for their trap. You can delete or ignore any threatening comments. Although a blogger may call “hacktivists common criminals”, it won’t change the truth of what they say. You will be made an example of by the more savage individuals, even if your security is good. Avoid being a nuisance and avoid promoting your blog in places that aren’t appropriate.
Use a buffer
You need a buffer to absorb some of the stress caused by DDoS attacks or increased traffic. Do not assume that a little more traffic than you currently have is enough. You should be ready for rapid growth regardless of the reason. You should check the capabilities of your server or host provider and upgrade as necessary. While it won’t fully protect you, it will make cybercriminals’ lives a bit more difficult.
Tools that act as a buffer and guard for your website might be worth considering. Cloudflare can help protect your website by responding to traffic patterns. DefensePro can be used if you have your own servers and need some protection. Savvius can be a very expensive option, but it will do the job if you are working for a larger company.
A buffer is also a plan for responding to an emergency. The plan you use to defend yourself will affect how much it is. Here’s a sample:
- Double-check the traffic flow to find out exactly where you stand.
- You should activate any technology or tools that can help you bear the traffic load.
- Find out if you can identify the source of the attack and block it.
- To throw off the attack, temporarily change your IP address.
- To find out if they have any suggestions or assistance, contact your ISP.
- You can temporarily turn off the servers if all else fails. The cybercriminals will move faster and you’ll be left without a website.
- To determine if there are any changes you can make in your defense, analyze the situation afterward.
Conclusion
DDoS attacks can cause your website to go down for months. This is because of the loss of readership and trust that you experience when your website goes down. It is not a good idea to have your website down. You need to be prepared to prevent being attacked online by criminals. Although it takes some time, once you have a routine in place, you won’t even think about investing.
You must take action immediately. Check out your website to see what tools can be installed. To get better acquainted with your website, do a thorough sweep today. Continue reading about DDoS attacks. Make a backup plan now so that you don’t worry about tomorrow.
