Best Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) Protection Software

DDoS attacks are designed to overwhelm sites with traffic from hundreds or even thousands of sources, making it nearly impossible to stop them. To render an online resource unavailable, attackers will most commonly use a network of computers that are already infected with a virus (known as a botnet) to gain remote access. To launch an attack, hackers typically send a command to the control server through which the botnets are controlled, which then sends a signal to the bots to launch malicious network requests. The botnets work by harnessing the power of several machines to obscure the source of traffic. Because the traffic is distributed, it becomes harder for security teams or tools to detect the attack until it is well underway. The network of remotely controlled hacked computers are often referred to as “zombie computers” and work by sending overwhelming amounts of data that exceed and exhaust bandwidth capabilities.

While DDoS is not a true virus, it uses malware (malicious software) to affect normal computer operations. Malware can come in the form of viruses, Trojans, spyware, and adware, and other types, and is used by hackers to gain unauthorized access to systems when carrying out DDoS attacks. A DDoS attack incorporates malicious programs in order to target the victim, making the virus more effective and destructive. Malware affects vulnerable devices by turning them into bots. Once the devices have been modified, a DDoS attack is launched as part of the botnet.

A DDoS attack is dangerous because it can cause major disruptions and become a threat to business continuity. These types of attacks affect mission-critical applications that organizations rely on, such as email, CRM systems, salesforce automations, and many other daily business operations. DDoS attacks can force companies to spend fortunes on repairs, can affect consumer trust, can lead to lost revenue, and can damage an organization’s reputation. When applications become unavailable or a public-facing website is down, productivity suffers. Unfortunately, one DDoS attack means that more attacks are likely expected to continue until more robust defense solutions are deployed.

Below is a list of benefits of how an effective DDoS protection solution can help protect your organization from attacks:

• Prevents malicious traffic from reaching its target
• Decreases business risk and minimizes downtime
• Reduces costs related to web security
• Enforces security rules which are constantly updated to defend against new and existing threats
• Saves money because it is effective, reliable, predictable, and steady
• Curbs operational costs by eliminating the need to hire IT staff, purchase more bandwidth capacity, or outsource protection to a third-party scrubbing center.
• Protects your organization from loss of revenue
• Secures your brand, making sure your reputation doesn’t become compromised

While DDoS attacks are very challenging to stop, there are steps you can take to limit your exposure and defend against them. Here are some features to look for when researching DDoS protection options:

• Name server protection: A solid DDoS protection solution will protect against DDoS techniques that aim to disrupt or crash a DNS name server.
• Application protection: When reviewing your options, look for a DDoS protection tool that protects common applications such as CRM, FTP, ERP, and email.
• Individual IP protection: Initially, DDoS protection methods would only be able to protect entire IP ranges. It is best to look for one that can offer protection for individual IPs, to allow you to register a public IP or domain name as well as to add the DDoS service to your existing DNS configuration.
• Network capacity: This is an important feature, as it determines the overall scalability available to you during an attack. Consider bandwidth availability and which scalable deployment model you will use (either cloud-based or on-premises).
• Pricing: Another key factor to consider is the pricing model. Opt for one that is the most suitable for your company, whether it is pay-as-you-go pricing, pricing based on the volume of attacks, service-based pricing, or flat monthly fee pricing.
• Support: Make sure support is offered - even if your DDoS protection solution is fully automated.