DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service. It is a type of cyber attack where multiple compromised systems, often infected with a Trojan, are used to target a single system causing a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. These systems, also known as bots, flood the targeted website or server with more traffic than it can handle, making it unavailable to legitimate users. The idea behind a DDoS attack is to overload the targeted website or server with so many requests that it can no longer respond to legitimate traffic, resulting in a Denial of Service. DDoS attacks can target any website or online service and range in complexity and size.. WordPress, a popular website-building platform, has been targeted by DDoS attacks.

Network-level protection

Network-level protection against DDoS attacks involves implementing measures at the network infrastructure level to detect and block malicious traffic before it reaches the targeted website or server.

01. DDoS protection services

DDoS protection services use traffic filtering, shaping, and redirection techniques to identify and block malicious traffic.

02. Firewalls

Firewalls can be configured to detect and block traffic that meets specific criteria, such as source IP address or traffic volume. Additionally, network-level protection can also include the use of intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) which can be used to detect and block malicious traffic as well as to alert administrators of ongoing DDoS attacks.

These measures can provide an added layer of protection for the targeted website or server and help mitigate the impact of a DDoS attack.

Application-level protection

Application-level protection against DDoS attacks involves implementing measures at the application level to detect and block malicious traffic before it reaches the targeted website or server.

01. CDN

CDNs are servers distributed worldwide that cache and serve content to users, reducing the targeted website or server load. Using a CDN, the traffic is distributed among multiple servers, making it more difficult for a DDoS attack to overload a single server.

02. Rate-limiting

Rate limiting is a technique used to control the rate at which a specific user or IP address can make requests to a website or server. By implementing rate limiting, the targeted website or server can better handle a DDoS attack, as it can limit the number of requests from a single IP address or user. Additionally, Application-level protection can also include the use of Web Application Firewall (WAF) which can detect and block malicious traffic by inspecting the HTTP/HTTPS protocols and can also be used to detect and alert administrators of ongoing DDoS attacks.

Proactive measures for protecting WordPress against DDoS

Proactive measures for protecting WordPress against DDoS attacks involve taking steps to prevent an attack from occurring in the first place. One important proactive measure is regularly updating the website software, including WordPress, its themes, and its plugins. Keeping the software up to date ensures that any known vulnerabilities are patched, making it more difficult for attackers to exploit them. Another proactive measure is to conduct regular security audits. A security audit will assess the website’s current security measures, identify any vulnerabilities, and provide recommendations for improvement. Additionally, implementing security best practices such as using strong and unique passwords, limiting the number of users with administrative access, and regularly backing up the website’s data can also help to prevent a DDoS attack. By implementing these proactive measures, website owners can better protect their WordPress site against DDoS attacks and other cyber threats.

01. Disable XML RPC in WordPress

XML-RPC access third-party plugins and tools used to interact with your WordPress website. XML-RPC allows using the WordPress app on your mobile device. Many users don’t use the mobile app. Disable the XML-RPC app by an edit by adding the following code to your website’s .htaccess file.

02. Disable REST API in WordPress

WordPress REST API allows third-party plugins and tools accessible to Website data, update content, and even delete it. If you are using a REST API plugin, then disable it. You can easily disable it by installing and activating the Disable WP Rest API plugin.

In conclusion, DDoS attacks severely threaten website availability and security. Network-level protection, application-level protection, and proactive measures are all effective strategies for mitigating the impact of a DDoS attack. By implementing these strategies, website owners can better protect their WordPress sites against DDoS attacks and ensure they remain available to legitimate users. However, it’s important to remember that no single strategy is foolproof, and it’s always better to have multiple layers of protection. Additionally, it’s also important to stay informed of the latest trends and techniques used in DDoS attacks so that you can adapt your mitigation strategies accordingly.

 

 

Please check 10 best security practices for WordPress websites and How to secure WordPress websites from hackers for more.