One of the most critical components of a successful cybersecurity strategy is recognizing the signs of a DDoS attack before it escalates.
What Is a DDoS Attack?
A denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is a cyberattack tactic in which a multitude of computers overwhelm a targeted system’s bandwidth or resources, usually a web server, rendering it inaccessible to authorized users.
The attackers usually use botnets, a network of compromised devices, to overwhelm the targeted network with traffic. Enterprises need to be vigilant about identifying the early warning signs to mitigate the risks.
You can conduct a Business Impact Analysis (BIA), a systematic process to help identify and evaluate the potential effects of cyberattacks.
What Are the Different Ways to Detect DDoS Attacks?
1. Monitor Unusually High Traffic Volumes
A sudden spike in traffic is one of the most common indicators of a DDoS attack. However, not all traffic surges are malicious—an increase may occur during a product launch or marketing campaign.
The key difference is that during a DDoS attack, the traffic typically originates from suspicious IP addresses or countries, often forming abnormal patterns. Use traffic analytics tools to establish a baseline of normal traffic patterns and set up alerts for any unusual traffic surges.
2. Look for Traffic from Unusual Locations or IP Addresses
DDoS attacks often employ botnets made up of devices from different parts of the world. When a network experiences a flood of requests from IP addresses outside its usual customer base, it’s a red flag.
You must cross-check the IP addresses accessing your network with databases that track known malicious sources. You can also set up geo-filters in your firewall to block traffic from countries where you don’t conduct business.
3. Observe Decreased Network Performance
A primary goal of DDoS attacks is to overload the target’s bandwidth, causing sluggish performance across the network.
Users may experience slow access to websites, or applications may crash frequently. To avoid this, network monitoring tools should be used to assess real-time network performance.
Pay close attention to user complaints about lagging services or frequent timeouts.
4. Monitor for Unusual System Resource Usage
A DDoS attack causes your servers to handle large amounts of junk traffic, overloading system resources such as CPU and memory.
This can result in slower performance, delayed processing, or system crashes. To prevent this from happening, resource monitoring tools should be set up to track CPU and memory usage.
You can also create alerts for sudden, sustained spikes in system resource consumption.
5. Check for Unexplained System Outages
If your enterprise experiences intermittent or sudden outages without any explanation, it could indicate a DDoS attack.
These outages typically occur because the server can no longer handle the overwhelming number of requests.
Keep a log of any unexpected system downtimes, along with relevant network data, and regularly review server logs for signs of overloading or crashes.
6. Unusual Error Messages or Connectivity Issues
When servers are under strain from a DDoS attack, they may begin to throw error messages, such as 503 Service Unavailable or other connection-related warnings.
Customers trying to access your services might encounter difficulties, which can lead to frustration and potential loss of business.
7. Abnormal Traffic Distribution
A telltale sign of a DDoS attack is an abnormal distribution of traffic across your network.
Attackers may target specific areas of your infrastructure to overwhelm particular services, such as login pages or e-commerce portals. This is why you must review your network’s traffic distribution for unusual spikes in specific areas.
8. Deploy Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) are powerful tools that help identify malicious traffic patterns and potential DDoS attacks before they cause significant damage. By monitoring your network for suspicious activities, IDPS can stop threats before they escalate.
Is It Possible to Forecast a DDoS Attack?
Forecasting a DDoS attack involves analyzing historical data, monitoring emerging threats, and identifying vulnerabilities in your network.
While it’s impossible to predict the exact timing of an attack, there are strategies that can help you prepare for potential threats.
Recognizing the early signs of a DDoS attack can mean the difference between an isolated incident and widespread downtime across your enterprise.
With the right tools, enterprises can effectively safeguard against DDoS attacks and minimize their impact.
Empower your organization with comprehensive protection by integrating CyberShield IT solutions into your cybersecurity framework. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help secure your enterprise.
