Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack

DDoS is an acronym for Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack. A DDoS attack is typically used by a cyber-criminal, the attacker floods a server, specifically the server IP address, with internet traffic resulting in the server not being able to keep up with the traffic and the server goes offline preventing end users from accessing the internet and online services. DDoSing is not a hack, no formation is accessed and no data is stolen. However, if a troll has you IP, they could in theory access your network if you do not have the correct settings or open ports in your router

There are many reasons why a cyber-criminal commits DDoS attacks from financial reasons, making a statement, having fun by exploiting cyber weakness or to express disapproval.

In a gaming environment, trolls use DDoS attacks by exploiting cyber weaknesses on your network/PC. They do so to express disapproval and/or to gain advantage by taking over as host of a server in multiplayer games that use your PC as the host server. Most game developers are now using dedicated servers meaning it is less likely your PC will need to host a server.

Having said that, savoy trolls can still find ways to get your IP address and use it to DDoS your IP address. See some people can’t process losing to better players or play nice in the sandbox!!! In 2019 the gaming industry accounted for 36% of the total global DDoS attacks.

Your best defense against a DDoS attack is a VPN that has Rate Limiting. Rate limiting essentially limits the number of request your IP will accept, therefore a DDoS attack will slow your internet but should not knock your internet offline. if you don't have a VPN, get one SOON!! One of the better VPN’s that offer Rate Limiting in Cloudflare Warp.

DDoS attacks are illegal and if you believe you are a victim of a DDoS attack, contact your ISP and request the details and then report the attack to law enforcement.