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Howard DeForest
7,404 PointsDDoS
In computing, a denial-of-service (DoS) or distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users.
I was just wondering if this is whats been happening with Treehouse along with a few other websites and I am guessing Blizzard Entertainments been getting hit also .
I guess I am wondering how can you tell or protect against something like this with a website or know that it is happening ?
1 Answer
Zack Taylor
9,021 PointsHi Howard.
I am going to try and explain this as simple as possible.
Lets say you have 2 computers. [A] --------- [B].
There is nodes and other bit and bobs involved but I'm not going to explain those. Its too techincal. Anyways... Computer [A] Sends information through something called 'PACKETS'. This Information is shifted around the internet from A --->-- B. These packets are normally very small with limited amount of data. Tho if you have 1000 packets with 20kb each for example this would amount up to alot in the end.
DDOS : - This is where some hacker or mischievous person uses a program to send very very large amounts of packets with in a very short amount of time. How does this happen? Well every computer has 'PORTS'. Ports are like doors. They allow things to access the computer aswell as block things out. The internet uses port 80. FTP is uses port 21 and there is loads more ports. If these ports are open then there is potential chance of being in danger. Hackers use something called Port scanners to check to see if the victim's computer has any vulnerabilitys ( Ports open). They find this out by getting the Victim's I.P address. Anyways.... blocking these attacks is not always guranteed. Firewalls are your best option. Masking an i.p address is another way that can help. Tho having a website is a little different and unsure how to mask this if im honest.
How do you know if someone is gaining access. Well if your computer does not seem right then you no something may be wrong. Always have internet security. My advice would be use Bitdefender. You get what you pay for my friend. There is ways how you can trace all your incoming and outgoing connections though the MS-DOS prompt. Also there is programs out there that you can buy that keeps an eye on your connections on your system. If your using a web service provider they should be taking care of this for you for your website.
If Treehouse or Blizzard is getting hit with DDoS attacks. It will not be just one person doing this. They will arrange a group of people to hit the same address at the same time to do more damage.
I really really hope I have got this right. its been a long time since I have studied some information on this topic. Tho i'm 95% thats the correct info.
P.S sorry if its long winded. I am sure there is someone out there wants to know what this is.
Thank you.