Context:
Karnataka’s property registration portal, Kaveri 2.0, recently suffered a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, severely disrupting operations. Such attacks highlight the increasing vulnerabilities of digital infrastructure.
What is a DDoS Attack?
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a cyber threat where attackers flood a server, network, or website with excessive traffic, causing service disruptions. These attacks use botnets—networks of malware-infected devices—to generate overwhelming requests, leading to system failure.
How Does a DDoS Attack Work?
- Botnet Formation: Hackers infect multiple devices with malware, making them bots.
- Traffic Overload: These bots send massive fake requests to the target, consuming bandwidth and processing power.
- Service Disruption: The network slows down or crashes, preventing legitimate users from accessing it.
- Diversion Tactic: Attackers may use DDoS as a distraction for data breaches or malware deployment.
How to Prevent and Counter a DDoS Attack?
✅ Traffic Filtering: AI-based tools help detect and block malicious requests.
✅ Rate Limiting: Restricts the number of requests per user to prevent overload.
✅ Bot Detection Tools: Using CAPTCHA and behavioral analysis to filter out bots.
✅ Robust Authentication: Strengthening login security to prevent unauthorized access.
✅ Incident Response Teams: Cybersecurity experts monitor, detect, and mitigate attacks.
MCQs for UPSC CSE
What is the primary objective of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack?
A) Data theft
B) Flooding a system with excessive traffic to disrupt services
C) Spreading misinformation
D) Installing spyware on target devicesAnswer: B) Flooding a system with excessive traffic to disrupt services
Which of the following is a key component of a DDoS attack?
A) SQL Injection
B) Botnet
C) Trojan Horse
D) PhishingAnswer: B) Botnet
How can organizations protect themselves from DDoS attacks?
A) Implementing rate limiting
B) Using CAPTCHA-based authentication
C) Deploying AI-based traffic monitoring
D) All of the aboveAnswer: D) All of the above
Which of the following is NOT a method used in a DDoS attack?
A) Traffic Overload
B) Malware Distribution
C) Botnet Formation
D) Network FloodingAnswer: B) Malware Distribution
What role does an "Incident Response Team" play in cybersecurity?
A) Preventing phishing attacks
B) Responding to and mitigating cyber threats like DDoS attacks
C) Developing AI-based firewalls
D) Monitoring social media for fake newsAnswer: B) Responding to and mitigating cyber threats like DDoS attacks
Mains Question for UPSC CSE
- Discuss the significance of cybersecurity in protecting digital infrastructure. Analyze the impact of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and suggest measures to mitigate them.
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