Did this ever happen to you? You are going on your regular route towards your destination. And suddenly, you see an unexpected traffic clog on the road, preventing you from reaching your destination. Similarly, a DDOS attack is a malicious attempt to infiltrate the network and make the services unavailable to genuine users.

To protect the chain of network, services, and applications from this malicious attack of DDOS, AWS DDOS Protection comes into play. It works like a smart traffic police, stopping these troublemakers who are clogging the traffic.

Let’s delve into the world of AWS Shield and find out how it works to keep the unwanted invaders from blocking the line of service and identifying the genuine customers. We will also try to understand the benefits of AWS DDOS protection and its dynamics.

What is a DDOS Attack? Understanding the Basics.

A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack is a cyberattack where an attacker overwhelms a target network or website with traffic from multiple sources, making it inaccessible to legitimate users. A DDoS attack achieves effectiveness by utilizing multiple compromised computer systems as sources of attack traffic.

To simplify it, here’s an example: you have a favorite ice cream shop. You and your friends love going there for some good ice cream. However, a bunch of silly troublemakers all rush into the shop at the same time. But they are not buying ice cream; instead, they are just standing in line and blocking the counter. They don’t let anyone else get to the counter to order.

That means you can’t get your ice cream, even though the shop is still open. This is what we call a Denial of Service (DoS) attack.

Now, these same troublemakers bring lots of their friends from all over town and do the same thing all at once. That’s called a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. And these bullies use different tactics to trouble you.

So, let’s explore the different types of DDOS attacks:

1. Volumetric Attacks:

These attacks, like UDP and ICMP floods, try to overwhelm a site’s internet connection by sending a huge amount of fake traffic. The size of the attack is measured in bits per second (Bps).

2. Protocol Attacks:

These attacks, like SYN floods, Ping of Death, and Smurf DDoS, overload servers or network gear like firewalls and load balancers by sending too many data packets. They’re measured in packets per second (Pps).

3. Application Layer Attacks:

These attacks use sneaky methods like GET/POST floods or targeting known server weaknesses, e.g., Apache, Windows. They appear harmless but overload the server with too many requests, measured in Requests per Second (RPS), causing it to crash.

Introduction to AWS DDOS Protection

AWS Shield is a security service that helps protect your AWS apps and websites from DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks. It automatically detects and blocks DDoS attacks in real time, reducing downtime and delays, so there is no need to contact AWS Support.

It offers two levels of protection: Shield Standard and Shield Advanced.

1. Shield Standard:

Shield Standard offers free, automatic protection against basic DDoS attacks at the infrastructure level (Layers 3 and 4).

2. Shield Advanced:

Shield Advanced gives you stronger protection with 24/7 expert support, defense against app-level attacks, and cost coverage if DDoS traffic causes scaling spikes.

Benefits of AWS Shield

1. Get automatic DDoS protection:

Automatically detect and mitigate sophisticated network and application layer Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) events.

2. Customize application protection:

Customize application protection against DDoS risks through integrations with Shield Response Team (SRT) protocol or AWS WAF.

3. Gain insights and cost protections:

Gain visibility, insights, and cost savings for DDoS events that impact your AWS resources.

AWS Shield Standard vs. Shield Advanced

1. Shield Standard:

• Automatic Protection: Shield Standard automatically protects all AWS public IPs from basic DDoS attacks at the infrastructure level.


• No Extra Cost: It’s included with your AWS services and doesn’t require additional configuration.


• Focus on Infrastructure: Standard primarily focuses on protecting against volumetric attacks at the network and transport layers.

2. Shield Advanced:

• Enhanced Protection: Shield Advanced offers stronger defense against bigger and smarter attacks, especially those aimed at your apps (Layer 7).


• 24/7 DDoS Response Team: Access to a dedicated team of experts who can assist with DDoS incidents.


• Application Layer Protection: Shield Advanced works with AWS WAF to block DDoS attacks at the application level.


• Cost Protection: Shield Advanced helps you save money by giving credits for extra costs caused by a DDoS attack on your protected resources.


• Real-time Visibility: Shield Advanced provides near real-time visibility into attacks through AWS CloudWatch.

Best Practices for DDoS Resilience

AWS DDOs Protection can shield your service from malware or malicious attempts. However, if you consider these practices, it would help in preventing them in the first place.

1. Architectural Strategies:

To defend against DDoS attacks, design scalable, redundant systems that automatically handle traffic spikes to keep services available. AWS Global Accelerator boosts availability and performance by routing traffic through AWS’s global network, reducing latency and absorbing sudden surges.

2. Monitoring and Response:

Effective DDoS protection needs constant monitoring and fast action. Using Amazon CloudWatch alerts helps spot unusual traffic early so you can stop attacks quickly. Regularly updating security groups and NACLs ensures only trusted traffic gets through, keeping your system safer.

Conclusion:

Just like unexpected traffic jams can stop you from reaching your destination, DDoS attacks block genuine users from accessing websites and apps. That’s why AWS DDoS protection is essential. It acts like a smart traffic cop, stopping these attacks before they cause disturbance.

Whether you’re new to the topic or managing complex cloud systems, understanding the types of DDoS attacks helps you choose the right defense.

With the powerful benefits of AWS Shield, including automatic detection and real-time mitigation, your services stay safe and available.

Knowing the difference between AWS Shield Standard vs. Shield Advanced ensures you get the right level of protection for your needs. By using AWS DDoS protection and following best practices, you can make sure only genuine users get through while the troublemakers stay out. Stay secure, stay online!

FAQ:

1. Does AWS have DDoS protection?

Yes, AWS offers built-in DDoS protection through AWS Shield. AWS Shield provides two tiers of protection: Standard (free) and Advanced (paid).

2. How much is AWS DDoS protection?

Shield Standard: Free, basic protection for all AWS users. Shield Advanced: $3,000/month, offering advanced protection, DDoS Response Team access, and WAF fee waivers.

3. Does AWS Amplify have DDoS protection?

The Amplify app was defined with a repository and build specifications. AWS Shield protection was enabled for the Amplify app to safeguard against DDoS attacks.

Also Read :- AWS Unveils Security Incident Response Service to Tackle Cybersecurity Challenges