If you stay on top of web security news, you’re probably familiar with the concept of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and the havoc they can wreak on businesses and websites across the globe. Hopefully, you’ve also taken some measures to protect your site from these increasingly common cyber-threats.
Unfortunately, there’s another potential risk that you may not be aware of – botnet-driven DDoS attacks. In recent years, there has been a notable increase not only in the number of these attacks but in their size and potential for damage, too. By having a solid understanding of what these attacks are and how they originate, you can take even better measures to protect your site and server.
What Is a Botnet-Driven DDoS Attack?
A botnet-driven DDoS attack refers to one that utilizes a network of computers or other devices that have been compromised by malware. Hackers essentially use them to build an “army” of attackers, allowing them to carry out DDoS attacks from multiple devices.
One of the most well-known sources of this type of attack is known as the Mirai botnet, which has been successful at infiltrating thousands of devices and carrying out attacks on servers around the globe. In early 2019, a botnet-driven DDoS attack actually reached a previously-unheard-of size of more than 650 million packets per second.
Understanding the Dangers of These Attacks
Because botnet-driven attacks utilize literal armies of devices to carry out the attacker’s requests, they tend to be more dangerous than a “traditional” DDoS attack. This is primarily due to their larger size and potential for disruption.
If you’re hit by a botnet-driven DDoS attack, not only can your organization’s reputation be tarnished – but you may also end up facing significant financial consequences. In fact, DDoS attacks in the United Kingdom were estimated to cost more than $1.1 billion in damages in 2019 alone.
How You Can Better Protect Your Server
It’s more important than ever to take proactive measures to protect your website and its server. If you don’t already have a dedicated hosting plan in place, now is the time to make the switch from your traditional shared or cloud-based hosting service. When selecting a dedicated server provider, you’ll also want to make sure you opt for one that offers DDoS protection.
At ReliableSite, we’re proud to include free standard DDoS protection with all of our accounts. From there, you also have the option to purchase additional protection against larger attacks. All of this, in addition to being aware of the common signs of a DDoS botnet attack, can help you avoid falling victim to one.
To find out more about our hosting services or the ways we can help you protect against botnet DDoS attacks, contact the ReliableSite team today. We’ll assist you in selecting the best possible server for your needs and walk you through our many customization options. Plus, we offer rapid deploy servers to get you set up as quickly as possible!