DARPA_Big_DataDDoS attacks have become an increasingly prominent concern in today’s changing web landscape. It seems as though no entity is entirely safe from experiencing one of these massive attacks, and major players across the globe having been affected throughout the past couple of years alone. With DDoS attacks becoming more common not just in number but in size, it is important for all website administrators to begin taking more proactive measures to protect their servers.

DDoS Attacks on Major Players

Perhaps one of the biggest DDoS attacks in recent history occurred in early 2016 when BBC’s website was taken down by an attack that reached a massive 602 Gbps. The site experienced hours of downtime, which had a major impact on the site and its visitors.

The popular smartphone app/game Pokemon Go also experienced a large DDoS attack later in 2016, shortly after the game was initially launched. This attack on Pokemon Go’s servers affected users in more than 26 countries, and the group that took credit for the attack even announced that it would launch an attack on an even larger scale thereafter.

Even the U.S. Library of Congress was not immune to a large DDoS attack that occurred in July 2016, around the same time as the Pokemon Go server attacks. This DDoS attack left not only the government website down, but also prevented Library of Congress employees from being able to access their work emails.

Using Big Data to Anticipate and Prevent DDoS Attacks

These examples serve as a reminder that no entity is completely immune to a DDoS attack, especially when you take into consideration that these attacks are growing in scope all the time. Years ago, a 600 Gbps attack would have been unheard of, but it is likely only a matter of time before attacks grow even larger and more powerful.

For this reason, all web administrators have a responsibility to use the data out there regarding DDoS attacks to their advantage. There are ways to predict and anticipate attacks, making it possible for website owners and admins to implement additional security measures and be on higher guard overall when chances of an attack increase. ReliableSite, for example, has a unique DDoS forecasting tool that is frequently updated with information on the likelihood of attacks as well as the anticipated strength of these attacks.

Now is also a good time for web administrators to check their hosting plans and make sure they have at least some level of DDoS protection in place. This protection can typically be added to an existing dedicated server for a monthly fee and essentially works by filtering web traffic without affecting site speed or performance for legitimate visitors.

DDoS attacks are a very real threat for any server, but the good news is that there are options to reduce one’s risk. By using big data to your advantage and having DDoS protection in place, you can enjoy greater peace of mind.