Your favorite website could be down due to a DoS attack, especially if it’s an online shop, betting website or financially reliant on uptime. A DoS attack overloads the server with more requests than it can handle, disrupting regular traffic. DDoS attack comes from multiple sources at once, often using thousands of infected computers called “botnets” controlled by the attacker. Millions of computers worldwide may be infected with botnet malware. This article will elaborate on the differences between DoS and DDoS attacks and their respective types.
DoS Attacks
A Denial of Service (DoS) attack is a type of cyber attack in which an attacker attempts to disrupt the normal functioning of a website or service, making it inaccessible to legitimate users. The goal of a DoS attack is to overwhelm the targeted system with a flood of traffic or requests, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate requests.
DoS attacks can take many forms, but they all involve overwhelming a system’s resources in some way. Some common types of DoS attacks include:
- TCP SYN flood: This type of attack exploits the way in which TCP connections are established. The attacker sends a large number of SYN packets to the target system, but never completes the handshake process, leaving the system in a partially open state that prevents it from accepting legitimate connections.
- UDP flood: This type of attack targets the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), a connectionless protocol used for transmitting data over the internet. The attacker sends a large number of UDP packets to the target system, which can cause it to become overloaded and unresponsive.
- HTTP flood: This type of attack targets web servers by overwhelming them with a flood of HTTP requests. This can be done by either sending a large number of requests from a single IP address, or by using a botnet to distribute the traffic across multiple IP addresses.
While DoS attacks can be relatively simple to execute, they can still have serious consequences for targeted organizations. DoS attacks can result in loss of revenue, damage to reputation, and even legal liability in some cases. In addition, some attackers may use DoS attacks as a smokescreen to distract security teams from other, more serious attacks.
Examples of notable DoS attacks include the 2016 attack on Dyn, a DNS provider, which disrupted access to a number of popular websites, and the 2018 attack on GitHub, a code hosting platform, which used a Memcached amplification attack to generate an enormous amount of traffic.
DDoS Attacks
After getting a brief explanation about DoS attacks, lets move to DDos Attacks. A Distributed Denial of Service attack or DDoS attack is a type of cyber attack in which multiple systems are used to flood a target system with traffic or requests. Unlike a DoS attack, which is typically carried out from a single system or network, a DDoS attack involves multiple systems coordinated by a central command and control (C&C) server.
Likewise the DoS attacks, DDoS attacks also has several types, including:
- Botnets: Botnets are networks of compromised computers that are controlled remotely by an attacker. The attacker can use the botnet to launch a DDoS attack by instructing the compromised computers to flood the target system with traffic.
- Amplification attacks: Amplification attacks involve exploiting a vulnerability in a network protocol to generate a large amount of traffic. One common type of amplification attack uses the Domain Name System (DNS), which can be tricked into returning a large amount of data for a small request.
- Application layer attacks: Application layer attacks target specific applications or services, such as web servers, by sending requests that are designed to exploit weaknesses in the application. These attacks are often more difficult to defend against than other types of DDoS attacks, as they can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate traffic.
DDoS attacks can have serious consequences for targeted organizations. They can result in loss of revenue, damage to reputation, and even legal liability in some cases. In addition, DDoS attacks can be used as a smokescreen to distract security teams from other, more serious attacks.
Examples of notable DDoS attacks include the 2016 attack on Dyn, which was carried out using a botnet made up of compromised IoT devices, and the 2017 attack on the UK’s National Lottery website, which used an amplification attack that generated a peak traffic volume of 600 Gbps.
Dos vs DDos Attacks: Key Differences
To make it easier to understand, let’s check the table below:
| DoS Attacks | DDoS Attacks |
| Carried out using a single system or network | Carried out using multiple systems coordinated by a central command and control (C&C) server |
| Relatively simple to execute | Can be more complex to execute, as it requires coordination of multiple systems |
| Can be mitigated by blocking the IP address of the attacking system | Can be more difficult to mitigate, as it may involve blocking multiple IP addresses or identifying and neutralizing the C&C server |
| Typically involves flooding the target system with traffic or requests | Can involve multiple types of attacks, including botnets, amplification attacks, and application layer attacks |
| Can result in loss of revenue, damage to reputation, and legal liability | Can result in the same consequences as DoS attacks, but may be more severe due to the larger scale of the attack |
| Examples include TCP SYN flood, UDP flood, and HTTP flood | Examples include botnets, amplification attacks, and application layer attacks |
Note: While DoS attacks and DDoS attacks have some differences, they both share the goal of disrupting the normal functioning of a system or website.
Read More 15 Types of Cyber Attacks You Need to Know
Impacts and Risks of DoS and DDoS Attacks
DoS and DDoS attacks can have serious consequences for targeted organizations. These attacks can disrupt the normal functioning of a website or service, making it inaccessible to legitimate users. This can result in loss of revenue, damage to reputation, and even legal liability in some cases. In addition, some attackers may use DoS or DDoS attacks as a smokescreen to distract security teams from other, more serious attacks.
The impacts and risks of DoS and DDoS attacks include:
Loss of Revenue
DoS and DDoS attacks can result in loss of revenue for targeted organizations. For example, if a retail website is unavailable during a high-traffic period, it may result in lost sales and revenue. In addition, if an organization relies heavily on online services, a DoS or DDoS attack may result in lost business opportunities or customer goodwill.
Damage to Reputation
A DoS or DDoS attack can damage the reputation of an organization. If a website or service is frequently unavailable, customers may perceive the organization as unreliable or insecure. This can result in a loss of customer trust, which can be difficult to regain. In addition, a DoS or DDoS attack may result in negative publicity, which can further damage the reputation of the targeted organization.
Legal Liability
In some cases, a DoS or DDoS attack may result in legal liability for the targeted organization. For example, if the attack results in loss of customer data or other sensitive information, the organization may be held responsible. Additionally, if the attack disrupts critical services such as emergency services or public utilities, the organization may face legal repercussions.
Operational Costs
Mitigating a DoS or DDoS attack can be expensive. The organization may need to invest in additional hardware or software, as well as personnel time and resources, to mitigate the attack. In addition, the organization may experience a loss of productivity due to the disruption of critical services or systems.
Reduced Productivity
A DoS or DDoS attack can result in reduced productivity for the targeted organization. If critical services or systems are unavailable, employees may be unable to perform their duties. This can result in a loss of productivity and revenue for the organization.
Distracted Security Teams
If a security team is focused on mitigating a DoS or DDoS attack, they may be distracted from other, more serious attacks that are occurring simultaneously. This can result in the organization being vulnerable to other types of attacks, such as malware or data breaches.
Societal Risks
DoS or DDoS attacks on critical infrastructure or government systems can pose significant risks to society. For example, an attack on emergency services or public utilities may result in loss of life or property damage. In addition, attacks on government systems may result in a loss of public trust and confidence in the government’s ability to provide critical services.
To mitigate the impacts and risks of DoS and DDoS attacks, organizations should have a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that includes measures such as network segmentation, access controls, and DDoS mitigation services. Additionally, organizations should regularly review and update their cybersecurity policies and procedures to ensure that they are prepared to respond to emerging threats. By taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity, organizations can reduce the impact of DoS and DDoS attacks and protect themselves from the associated risks.
Conclusion
DoS and DDoS attacks are harmful to organizations, causing revenue loss, reputation damage, and legal liability. To prevent these attacks, organizations should implement cybersecurity measures such as regular vulnerability assessments and best practices for network security. They should also educate their employees about the risks and adapt to new threats by updating their cybersecurity strategies. By taking a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, organizations can protect themselves from the negative impacts of DoS and DDoS attacks.