Cyberattacks are getting more complex and sophisticated, and that’s definitely true. We now see AI-driven attacks that can adapt in real time to exploit vulnerabilities, and deepfake technology used for social engineering. Ransomware-as-a-Service is also making it easier for less experienced hackers to cause major damage, while fileless malware is becoming more common, hiding in legitimate system tools to avoid detection. Plus, the rise of quantum computing could soon threaten encryption, making post-quantum cryptography a crucial need.

However, simpler attacks, like Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), are still a big concern. These attacks are relatively easy to launch, don’t require advanced skills, and can be very effective. Despite being simple, there’s more to DDoS attacks than meets the eye. Let’s break it down.

What is a DDoS attack?

In simple terms, a DDoS attack overwhelms a website or online service with so much traffic that it slows down or crashes, making it inaccessible to legitimate users. What makes it easy is that attackers can use botnets – networks of compromised devices like computers, routers, or IoT devices – which are often poorly secured and can be hijacked without the owner’s knowledge. This makes it simple for an attacker to launch a massive traffic surge.

The vulnerabilities exploited in DDoS attacks usually come from a lack of proper traffic filtering or the inability to handle large volumes of traffic. Many organizations fail to set up strong rate-limiting or failover systems, leaving their infrastructure open to being overwhelmed. Additionally, amplification attacks, like DNS amplification, allow attackers to send small requests that trigger large responses, making the attack even more powerful with minimal resources.

DDoS attacks have been common in Romania, targeting businesses and public institutions. Here are a few major examples:

• June 2024: 25 DDoS attacks were launched against Romanian websites, including those of public institutions and private companies in sectors like finance, transport, and telecom. These attacks were carried out by groups linked to Russia, but no major disruptions were reported.
• April 2022: The pro-Russian group Killnet attacked Romanian government, military, and banking websites in response to Romania’s support for Ukraine. The attacks lasted for several days.
• Recent attacks (2024): Pro-Russian group NoName targeted critical Romanian websites, including the National Bank and Bucharest Stock Exchange, protesting Romania’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.

These attacks are a stark reminder that, no matter how advanced security systems become, businesses of all sizes remain vulnerable if they don’t take proper precautions. 

DDoS is more than just a temporary inconvenience – it can cause serious disruption.

How bad can a DDoS attack really be?

At first, a DDoS attack might seem like just a temporary inconvenience, something you can fix quickly. You might think, “I’ll get it back up in no time.” But here’s what can happen while you’re scrambling to restore services:

1. Lost revenue: if your website or online service is down, you’re not just losing traffic – you’re losing potential customers, sales, and business opportunities. Every minute counts, and the longer the downtime, the more revenue slips away.
2. Reputation damage: customers expect your services to be reliable. When your site goes down, it can make them question whether they can trust your business. This can drive them to competitors who are more dependable, causing long-term damage to your brand’s reputation.
3. Security blind spots: DDoS attacks can be used as a smokescreen to hide more serious threats, like data breaches or other malicious activities. While your team is focused on the attack, cybercriminals could be targeting sensitive information without your knowledge.
4. Increased costs: emergency measures to handle a DDoS attack can quickly become expensive, especially if you need outside help. On top of that, if the attack leads to security breaches or violates regulatory requirements, you could face costly fines.
5. Operational disruptions: even if you manage to recover quickly, your IT team will be pulled away from other essential tasks to handle the attack. This diverts their focus from ongoing projects, slowing down operations and potentially causing more disruptions across your business.

What can you do?

A) Preventing a DDoS attack

Prevention is always better than reaction. Here are steps to reduce your risk:

• Perform regular DDoS stress tests: simulating real-world attacks on your infrastructure can help identify vulnerabilities before an actual attack occurs. Bit Sentinel offers L4 and L7 DDoS stress testing services, sending millions of requests per second to expose weak points and strengthen resilience. Our team provides actionable insights to ensure your defenses are optimized.
• Optimize security configurations: firewalls, load balancers, and intrusion detection systems should be fine-tuned to detect and mitigate DDoS threats. Bit Sentinel can assess your current security setup and help configure it for maximum protection.
• Use scalable network infrastructure: cloud-based mitigation solutions can absorb large volumes of malicious traffic.
• Monitor for early warning signs: abnormal spikes in traffic, slow website performance, or unusual network activity could indicate an attack in progress. Bit Sentinel’s monitoring and risk assessment services can help spot these signs early.
• Develop an incident response plan: know in advance how to react, who to notify, and what steps to take when an attack happens. Bit Sentinel helps organizations create tailored response strategies to minimize downtime and damage.

You can find more detailed information in the downloadable document linked here.

B) What to do if you’ve been a victim of a DDoS attack

If you find yourself under attack, quick action is essential:

• Activate your DDoS mitigation plan: if you’ve prepared in advance, you’ll have response protocols to minimize damage.
• Engage DDoS protection services: Bit Sentinel’s experts can guide you toward the right technologies and strategies to safeguard your infrastructure. 
• Analyze the attack: identify patterns, sources, and attack vectors to improve your future defenses. Bit Sentinel’s comprehensive attack analysis can highlight weaknesses and areas for improvement.
• Reinforce security measures: strengthen weak points uncovered during the attack and review infrastructure performance. Bit Sentinel provides tailored security recommendations based on real-world attack scenarios.
• Report the incident: depending on the severity, notifying authorities and industry regulators may be necessary. Bit Sentinel can assist in forensic investigations and compliance reporting.

Final thoughts

DDoS attacks may seem simple in execution, but their consequences can be severe. The key takeaway? Being prepared is your best defense. Even a basic attack can disrupt your operations if you don’t have the right safeguards in place.

By stress-testing your infrastructure, monitoring for early warning signs, and having a clear response plan, you can ensure that a DDoS attack doesn’t take you down. 

DDoS attacks may be easy to launch, but their impact can be devastating. Stay ahead by strengthening your defenses before they become a target.