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In the digital world, the most critical issue for companies is stability and uninterrupted service. Whether a large enterprise or a small business – everyone wants to be available to their customers 24/7. However, one of the most dangerous types of cyberattacks can disrupt this stability in seconds: DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.
In this article, we will explain in simple terms how DDoS attacks work, what types exist, and what methods are used to protect against them.
What is a DDoS attack?
A DDoS attack is a cyberattack carried out to disrupt the normal operation of a server or network. The goal is to overload the server or service with numerous fake requests, making it inaccessible to legitimate users.
Think of it this way:
Imagine a highway where cars normally move smoothly. Suddenly, thousands of cars enter the road at the same time. The result? A traffic jam where no vehicle can move. A DDoS attack works on the same principle – a “digital traffic jam.”
How is the attack carried out?
DDoS attacks are usually carried out through a botnet. A botnet is a network of thousands (sometimes millions) of infected computers or IoT devices controlled by malware.
The attacker remotely manages this network and directs it to send massive amounts of traffic to the target server’s IP address. These requests may include:
HTTP requests
TCP connection attempts
DNS queries
Because each device is a legitimate internet resource, distinguishing malicious traffic from normal traffic is very difficult.
DoS vs DDoS
Both attacks aim to make the target inaccessible, but their scale, execution, and consequences differ.
DoS attack – carried out by a single attacker or device. It consumes resources but is relatively easier to block.
DDoS attack – executed by hundreds, thousands, or even millions of devices (botnets). Large-scale and much harder to defend against.
Signs of a DDoS attack
Sometimes a website slowing down or becoming unavailable may indicate a DDoS attack. But this is not always true – it might also be caused by a legitimate spike in traffic. That’s why deeper analysis is necessary.
Common signs of a DDoS attack include:
Abnormal number of requests from a single IP or IP range
Sudden traffic spikes at unusual times
Unexplained surge of requests to a specific page or API endpoint
High volumes of traffic from the same device type, browser, or location
Types of DDoS attacks
Application Layer Attacks
Target the 7th layer of the OSI model – the application layer. Goal: exhaust server resources.
Example:
HTTP Flood – thousands of users repeatedly “refresh” your webpage. Each request requires CPU and database operations, overwhelming the server.Protocol Attacks
Target network equipment such as firewalls and load balancers.
Example:
SYN Flood – exploits the TCP handshake by sending connection requests without completing them, causing the server to waste resources.Volumetric Attacks
The most common form – attackers flood bandwidth with massive amounts of data.
Example:
DNS Amplification – a short query generates a long response redirected to the target server.
How to protect against DDoS attacks
The key is differentiating real traffic from attack traffic. If a product launch attracts tens of thousands of real visitors, blocking them would be a mistake. But if the traffic is malicious, immediate action is needed.
Main defense methods include:
Blackhole routing – redirect suspicious traffic into a “blackhole,” though real traffic may also be lost.
Rate limiting – set a limit on how many requests a server can handle in a timeframe. Works for basic attacks, but not enough for complex ones.
Web Application Firewall (WAF) – effective against application-layer attacks by filtering suspicious requests.
Anycast network – distribute attack traffic across multiple geographic servers, minimizing its impact.
Why is this critical for businesses?
DDoS is not just a technical issue; it’s a business risk:
Financial loss: downtime means no sales.
Brand image: customers may lose trust.
Extra costs: recovery requires IT resources and support.
Crocusoft’s Approach
At Crocusoft, we prioritize security in every system we develop. For our clients, we design not only functionality but also resilience and protection mechanisms.
Against DDoS attacks, we:
Plan robust security architecture
Build monitoring and early-warning systems
Integrate WAF and other protective technologies
This way, our clients’ businesses remain operational even under attack.
Conclusion
DDoS attacks are evolving and becoming more sophisticated every day. To minimize their impact, companies need not only technical tools but also a strategic approach.
If you’re unsure how resilient your infrastructure is against DDoS attacks, now is the time to start a security audit and strengthen your defenses.
The Crocusoft team is here to support you on this journey.
