A website flood attack is a Denial of Service (DoS) attack in which an attacker prevents legitimate users from accessing information or services. Overwhelming the target website with requests that consume all of its bandwidth or taking advantage of security vulnerabilities forces the site to crash.
The execution takes place through a single computer or multiple computers infected with malware. The purpose of the attack is to make the website unavailable to its intended users or ultimately bring it down. There are several ways to protect your website from flooding attacks. Find here the best solutions.
Use a Content Delivery Network
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a server network that delivers content to visitors. When you use a CDN, your website is hosted on multiple servers worldwide. This way, if one server is down or overloaded, the others can take over and ensure that your website remains accessible. Most providers also offer additional security features, such as DDoS protection, that can further protect your website from attacks. SSL certificates and firewalls are also excellent considerations.
Limit Request Rate
Protect your website from flooding attacks by limiting the requests your server will accept from a single IP address. Doing this prevents attackers from overwhelming your server with requests.
To do this, you can use a rate limiting module, such as mod evasive for Apache, or configure your server’s firewall to block requests that exceed a specific rate. However, remember that this may also impact legitimate users who are behind a proxy or have a slow connection. Find the right balance for your particular situation.
Use Security Software
Various security software solutions can protect your website from flooding attacks. Some of these solutions are designed specifically for web servers, while others can be used on any server. In general, security software can detect and block malicious requests and provide additional features, such as DDoS protection. They can also monitor your servers and identify suspicious activity.
Keep Your Software Up-To-Date
Update the operating system, web server, database server, and any other software you use. Outdated software is often the cause of security vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Apply all security patches and updates as soon as they are released. In addition, consider using a web application firewall (WAF) to protect your website further.
Monitor Your Website
Monitoring your website enables you to detect any suspicious or unusual activity. This way, you can take action quickly to mitigate an attack and minimize the damage. Monitor your website’s traffic, error, and access logs. Use a monitoring service or tools to automate this process. It also makes sense to have a plan in place for how to respond to an attack. Know who to contact and what steps to take.
Opt for Cloud Based Solutions
Cloud-based solutions can be an effective way to protect your website from flooding attacks. These solutions route traffic through a network of servers before it reaches your website. This way, if one server is overloaded, the others can take over.
Features such as multiple layers of security, DDoS protection, and automatic failover can further protect your website. Not forgetting, cloud-based solutions are often more scalable than on-premise solutions and easier to manage.
Know That No One Is Immune to Attacks
Note that website flooding attacks can be devastating, and even small websites can be attacked. Large companies with entire teams dedicated to website security are not immune either. The best defense is to be prepared and have a plan in place. Talk to a professional about what steps you can take to protect your website. They’ll help you assess your risks and put the right security measures in place.
