Each time when you set up a server, and you earn a bit of fame, people attempt to sabotage it, which in technical terms we call a Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. However, we also use a phrase – Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). Even though both cause the same effects on your system, there are some core differences.
So, what we will do today is first to elaborate both Dos and DDoS a bit more. We will also discuss the broad types of attacks, and finally, we will explain the fundamental differences between a DoS with a DDoS attack.
Also Read: How the CDN Cache Poisoning Vulnerability Leads to DoS Attacks?
Understanding DoS Attacks
Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are planned strategies meant to overload one particular computer or an entire server network. If we are a bit technical, the hacker sends TCP and UDP packets that cause systems incapable of working. It can also shut down personal computers and networks until the time the issue gets resolved.
A DoS attack can be of various types, and of course, there are multiple ways to perform such an act. Some of the well-known kinds of DoS attacks are Buffer overflow, ICMP flood, SYN flood, and the infamous Teardrop Attack. So, whichever way we go, DoS attacks can cost tons of money and resources to fix.
Understanding DDoS Attacks
Now, once you have an idea of what DoS attacks are, we can try and understand the concept behind a DDoS attack. First of all, it stands for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.
DDoS attacks target a particular server or machine using multiple traffics. In simple terms, it means several systems attempt to penetrate the defense of a specific server all at the same time.
So, we can conclude that it is a kind of DoS attack with more intensity. A DDoS attack is far more cataclysmic for the parent company if the hackers succeed. Moreover, a DDoS attack is hard to overcome as the hackers can access the slave computers remote if any previous traces were left behind.
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Types of DoS and DDoS attacks
Even though there are some core differences in a DoS and a DDoS attack, they share some similar traits too. So, we will discuss some of the broad types of DoS and DDoS attacks:
1. Volumetric Attacks
During a DoS or a DDoS attack, the target server loses all its bandwidth. So, the victim party suffers as he can’t the internet in any device connected to that network. The hackers deploy ICMP echo request waves again and again, which finally cause the server to lose all its bandwidth.
2. Fragmentation Attacks
This type of DoS attacks causes the target system to reassemble manipulated network packets forcefully. So, when there is an attack, the system fails to reassemble the network.
It is because of the number of planned packets sent by hackers. Those packets have more headed data than the system permitted initially. That, eventually causes the system to reassemble in bulk.
3. TCP-State Exhaustion Attacks
The TCP-State Exhaustion attack is an infamous way to force the system to reach its maximum capacity of the number of concurrent connections. It specifically targets the webservers or firewalls. Thus, it forces them to limit the number of connections.
4. Application Layer Attacks
Also known as the Layer 7 attacks, the Application layer attacks are one of the challenging DoS attacks to deal with. It creates spontaneous processes and makes transactions. Thus, it uses up most of the available resources. One more thing that makes it difficult to deal with because it doesn’t need any computer to deploy a DoS attack.
Difference between DoS and DDoS Attacks
We hope that we make it clear to you what the DoS and DDoS attacks are. Now, that you know the similarities, it is equally important to understand the core difference between the two forms of cyber-attacks. The fundamental difference is as DoS attacks are meant to target a particular server using one computer, the DDoS attacks use several computers to target one network.
So, in a sense, every DDoS attack is a kind of DoS attack. However, such is not the case for the other way around. We can only refer to a phenomenon as DDoS when multiple personnel involved in an act to penetrate a system.
The magnitude of a DDoS attack is far more than a generic DoS attack. Naturally, DDoS attacks are hard to detect as so many people are involved in carrying out the act.
We must also understand that the process to deploy a DoS attack and a DDoS attack is mostly distinct from one another. Where a DDoS uses botnets, a DoS attack originates from a simple script or a DoS tool. Low Orbit Ion Cannon is a shining example of a DoS tool.
Conclusion
To conclude this article, we would like to say that a DoS can be of any scale. However, we rate them low-level threats as most companies are well-equip to fight with those attacks. But, in the case of a DDoS attack, the overall stakes are much higher. People do put a lot of effort to perform such attacks successfully. Naturally, the ramifications are much more significant compared to a DoS attack.
