What Is A DDoS Attack And How Did KrebsOnSecurity...?

Q1 What Is A Ddos Attack In What Two Ways Was The Krebsonsecurityc

What is a DDoS attack? In what two ways was the KrebsonSecurity.com DDoS attack unusual? What specific security weakness did the Mirai malware use to propagate from machine to machine? -For this Question please see the attached pictures from the text book ( Required) No external search on this question - half a page

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A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal traffic of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic originating from multiple compromised computer systems. Unlike a DoS (Denial of Service) attack, which typically involves a single source, a DDoS attack harnesses numerous computers or bots to generate a massive volume of requests, rendering the targeted system inaccessible to legitimate users. These attacks can cause significant downtime and financial loss for organizations, making them a major concern in cybersecurity.

The DDoS attack on KrebsonSecurity.com was unusual in two key ways. First, the scale and sophistication of the attack were notable, involving a large number of compromised devices, which amplified the attack's intensity beyond typical levels. Second, the attack employed a new technique or exploited a unique vulnerability that distinguished it from common DDoS attacks, making it more difficult to mitigate. Such unusual characteristics indicate an evolving threat landscape where attackers craft more complex and harder-to-defend attacks to target high-profile websites like KrebsonSecurity.

The Mirai malware, which was responsible for some of the most significant DDoS attacks, propagated from machine to machine by exploiting default or weak security credentials on Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Specifically, Mirai scanned the internet for vulnerable devices—such as IP cameras, routers, and other connected devices—that used factory default usernames and passwords. Once it infected a device, Mirai could use it to launch further attacks, turning unsecured IoT devices into part of a large botnet. This propagation method was effective because many IoT device owners neglect to change default security settings, thus providing an easy entry point for malware like Mirai.

References

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