DDoS Attack

DDoS Attack – What It Is and How It Works

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is one of the most dangerous cyber threats today. It targets websites, applications, or entire networks by overwhelming them with huge amounts of fake traffic. In this article, you'll learn what DDoS is, how it works, its types, and how to protect your systems.

Public Domain: Example of a DDoS traffic graph

What Is a DDoS Attack?

A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack happens when an attacker uses thousands of infected devices—called a botnet—to send massive amounts of traffic to a target. This overloads the system, making it slow or completely unavailable to real users.

Public Domain: A botnet used to perform DDoS attacks

How a DDoS Attack Works

1. Creating a Botnet

The attacker infects multiple devices with malware, turning them into remote-controlled bots.

2. Command & Control

All bots receive instructions from the attacker's C2 (Command and Control) server.

3. Flooding the Target

The bots simultaneously send millions of requests to the target server until it crashes.

Public Domain: Global internet activity visualized

Types of DDoS Attacks

1. Volumetric Attacks

Flood the network with massive data to consume bandwidth.

2. Protocol Attacks

Target firewalls, routers, and network layers.

3. Application Layer Attacks

Send fake requests that look legitimate, overwhelming the web server.

Real Examples of DDoS Attacks

• Banking websites taken offline for hours
• Gaming networks like PlayStation Network hit by attacks
• Government portals targeted during political events

CC0 License: Cybersecurity icon representing protection

How to Protect Against DDoS

• Use Anti-DDoS services like Cloudflare or Google Shield
• Enable rate limiting on your server
• Upgrade to scalable cloud hosting
• Use firewalls and AI traffic filtering tools
• Monitor traffic in real-time

Is DDoS Illegal?

Yes, launching a DDoS attack is illegal and can lead to fines, imprisonment, and device confiscation—even if it's called “testing” without permission.

Conclusion

DDoS attacks can cause serious financial and reputational damage. Understanding how they work is the first step to protecting your online presence. With the right tools and security practices, you can greatly reduce the risk of downtime and data loss.