What Are DDoS Attacks & How to Defend Against Them?
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks deliberately overload online resources—servers, networks, or applications—so legitimate users cannot access them. Attackers typically rely on botnets, which are networks of compromised devices that send massive amounts of malicious traffic. As a result, real customers face service unavailability and long downtimes.
Imagine a restaurant built for 50 guests that suddenly fills up with hundreds of fake diners. They occupy every table, overwhelm the staff, and make it impossible for genuine customers to get in. In the digital world, a DDoS attack works similarly: junk traffic floods a target system, squeezing out legitimate users and causing partial or complete service failures.
Why DDoS Matters in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan
Whether you run a business in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, or Azerbaijan, the threat of DDoS attacks grows with every passing year. Banks, e-commerce sites, telecom operators, and many other organizations face massive financial and reputational risks if they fail to protect their online infrastructure.
If you need tailored consultations on DDoS defense (anti-DDoS) or want to purchase robust solutions for your business, reach out to NWU. NWU is the official distributor of NETSCOUT (previously Arbor Networks) in these countries. Our experts will help you implement reliable solutions, offer deployment services, and provide ongoing support.
Main Types of DDoS Attacks
Volume-Based Attacks
Volume-based attacks flood the target’s network bandwidth with overwhelming traffic. Attackers typically leverage a botnet made up of thousands or even millions of infected devices.
Example: UDP Flood
This common type of DDoS attack blasts the target server with UDP packets sent to random ports. Each packet forces the server to spend resources checking which ports are active and sending back “port unreachable” error messages. In short order, system performance deteriorates, and legitimate connections can get dropped.
Application-Layer Attacks
Application-layer attacks focus on taxing specific web-based applications. Because they mimic legitimate requests, these attacks often slip past basic security filters and create significant overhead on the target server.
Example: HTTP Flood
A botnet or a single malicious actor inundates a site with high volumes of HTTP requests. Every request seems authentic, so the server must expend processing power to respond—until it reaches a breaking point and stops serving real visitors.
Protocol Attacks
Protocol-based assaults exploit vulnerabilities in communication protocols. They generate numerous partial or invalid connections, causing servers or firewalls to waste resources on managing phony sessions.
Example: SYN Flood
Attackers initiate a TCP connection (“SYN”) but never complete the handshake. The targeted server allots resources for each incomplete connection, leading to a backlog that denies legitimate users the ability to connect successfully.
Notable DDoS Incidents
- 2020, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Attack traffic peaked at an astonishing 2.3 Tbps. Although AWS managed to avert a full-scale outage, the infrastructure costs were immense. - 2018, GitHub
Faced a 1.35 Tbps onslaught that temporarily took the platform offline. Rapid incident response minimized reputational damage, but the episode highlighted just how disruptive DDoS can be. - 2023, Cloudflare
Recorded a massive rate of 71 million HTTP requests per second. Cloudflare deflected the storm, yet it demonstrated how DDoS can serve as a smokescreen for other malicious activities, such as data theft or malware installation.
Consequences of DDoS Attacks
- Financial Losses
In e-commerce, banking, or subscription-based services, downtime equals missed revenue. Restoring systems after a major DDoS event often involves overtime pay, emergency hardware costs, and potential investments in upgraded defensive measures. - Reputational Damage
Frequent or long outages can drive customers to competitors. In Ukraine or Kazakhstan, for instance, consumers may quickly switch their internet or banking services if your platform is frequently offline due to attacks. - Risk of Data Breaches
DDoS can distract security teams, enabling attackers to exfiltrate sensitive information or install backdoors. While staff scramble to restore normal service, the real heist might be quietly unfolding in the background.
Defending Your Business: Key Anti-DDoS Methods
Below are crucial strategies for anti-DDoS (or DDoS mitigation) along with real-world solutions from NETSCOUT (previously Arbor Networks). These products are available from NWU for businesses in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and beyond.
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Monitoring and Early Detection
Continuous traffic inspection is vital for spotting anomalies before they escalate. Early detection measures can save you from significant downtime and resource depletion.
Solution Example: Arbor Sightline by NETSCOUT
Arbor Sightline aggregates and analyzes your inbound and outbound traffic in real time. It compares observed traffic against known attack patterns and alerts you to suspicious spikes. This proactive approach helps isolate threats at their origin. -
Filtering and Blocking
Robust filtering systems block malicious IP addresses and traffic signatures before they overwhelm your infrastructure. By applying custom rules, you can deflect harmful packets at the perimeter.
Solution Example: Arbor Edge Defense (AED) by NETSCOUT
Deployed at the network edge, AED screens all incoming data. It identifies threats using advanced detection algorithms and automatically discards harmful traffic, thereby reducing strain on critical servers. -
Load Balancing
Distributing requests across multiple servers ensures that an attack on one node doesn’t cripple your entire environment. Load balancing not only improves performance but also provides resilience during traffic surges.
Solution Example: Ribbon SBC 2000
While primarily a Session Border Controller, Ribbon SBC 2000 also counters DDoS threats at the protocol level and balances load on application servers. This is particularly beneficial for organizations operating in several countries, such as Georgia or Azerbaijan, to maintain stable inter-branch connectivity.
Technical Approaches to Anti-DDoS
Traffic Scrubbing
Traffic scrubbing uses specialized “cleansing” centers to filter out malicious flows before they reach your core infrastructure.
- How It Works
All traffic is routed through a scrubbing facility (such as Arbor Cloud from NETSCOUT), which identifies suspicious packets based on behavioral analytics. Genuine traffic is allowed through, while malicious traffic is blocked. - Benefits
Your services remain accessible, even under large-scale attacks. Adaptive rulesets allow you to respond quickly to changing attacker tactics.
Specialized DDoS Protection Solutions
NETSCOUT (previously Arbor Networks) provides systems that detect and mitigate DDoS in real time, using a combination of cloud-based and on-premises defenses.
- How It Works
Platforms like Arbor Edge Defense or Arbor Threat Mitigation System (TMS) watch for abnormal traffic bursts, unusual rates of connection attempts, and known malicious IP addresses. When it spots suspicious patterns, the system immediately starts filtering. - Benefits
These solutions integrate seamlessly with other security tools and adapt to new attack methods. They protect both network and application layers, which is crucial for businesses operating in multiple locations (e.g., an enterprise with offices in Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan).
Proactive Strategies and Backup Plans
Proactive Threat Management
Regular security audits, penetration tests, and timely software updates build resilience against DDoS attacks. Proactive organizations detect weaknesses early rather than reacting only when systems buckle.
- How It Works
Experts simulate various DDoS scenarios, measure how quickly the system responds, and refine the rules in your intrusion prevention mechanisms. Automated alerts are configured to flag abnormal spikes, allowing your team to intervene before damage occurs. - Benefits
This preemptive stance reduces the likelihood of successful attacks. It also helps you maintain up-to-date filters and consistent infrastructure reliability.
Redundant Connectivity and Servers
Maintaining backup data centers and network links is crucial for resilience. If your main site in Kazakhstan, for example, experiences a DDoS flood, you can switch to a secondary node in Ukraine or another region.
- How It Works
When your primary resources are overwhelmed, automated or manual failover routes traffic to alternate sites. These backups often reside in geographically distinct data centers, minimizing the risk of a single point of failure. - Benefits
End users in Georgia, Azerbaijan, or other countries continue to receive services without major disruptions. This approach can also distribute regular traffic loads more effectively in non-attack scenarios.
Cloud-Based Solutions
Cloud platforms offer elastic and distributed infrastructure ideal for scaling under high traffic volumes. Many cloud providers, including NETSCOUT, incorporate built-in anti-DDoS (anti-DDoS) capabilities, reducing on-premises hardware requirements.
- How It Works
Incoming requests are balanced across multiple data centers. If one region is overloaded, traffic automatically shifts to another. This dynamic approach ensures business continuity during sudden surges. - Benefits
You pay only for the resources you consume, avoiding expensive hardware investments. Cloud-based detection mechanisms also update continuously to stay current with emerging DDoS threats.
Detailed Look at NETSCOUT (Previously Arbor Networks) Products
NETSCOUT offers a comprehensive suite of DDoS detection and mitigation tools. Below are two flagship solutions often adopted by enterprises and mid-sized organizations in Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and other regions.
Arbor Edge Defense (AED)
Overview
AED serves as a “frontline shield” at the perimeter of your network. It automatically detects volume-based, protocol, and application-layer attacks—stopping threats before they penetrate your core systems.
Key Functions and Technical Features
- Edge Filtering
AED inspects inbound and outbound data to spot malicious signatures and blacklists suspicious IP ranges in real time. - Integration with NETSCOUT Threat Intelligence
Continuous updates from NETSCOUT’s global analytics hub keep AED prepared for new and evolving attack vectors. - Multi-Layered Defense
AED employs advanced filters on both the network and application layers, making it effective against SYN floods, HTTP floods, and more.
Advantages
- Reduced Load on Internal Servers
Malicious traffic is blocked at the boundary, allowing critical services to handle legitimate requests more efficiently. - Flexible Configuration
Organizations with branches in Kazakhstan or Georgia can adjust AED policies to reflect regional network conditions or unique risk profiles.
Arbor Threat Mitigation System (TMS)
Overview
Arbor TMS is a traffic management platform designed to keep critical apps online by removing unwanted or malicious traffic flows in real time.
Key Functions and Technical Features
- Intelligent Traffic Management
TMS spots unusual patterns and diverts suspicious data streams to scrubbing centers, filtering out DDoS packets. - Targeted Protection
Easily customize protection policies to handle specific threats like SYN floods, HTTP floods, or DNS-based attacks. - Arbor Sightline Integration
When combined with Arbor Sightline, TMS receives up-to-the-minute monitoring data, enhancing detection accuracy.
Advantages
- Service Continuity
Legitimate connections experience minimal latency, while malicious requests get immediately dropped. - Scalability
Suitable for international enterprises managing multiple data centers or mid-range firms in Azerbaijan and Ukraine that need consistent reliability and security.
Why NETSCOUT?
- Rapid Response
NETSCOUT leverages high-speed detection and filtering technologies to stop suspicious flows almost instantly. - Adaptive Threat Intelligence
Arbor Networks solutions from NETSCOUT continuously update threat databases, learning from global DDoS trends. - Seamless Integration
NETSCOUT products plug into existing security frameworks, coordinating with SIEM tools and other cybersecurity systems. This unified ecosystem simplifies threat management.
Successful Deployments and Real-World Examples
- Telecom Providers
Using Arbor TMS, large telecommunications firms sustained quality service throughout extended DDoS barrages, preventing outages for millions of subscribers. - Banking Sector
Financial institutions in Ukraine employing AED have weathered repeated botnet assaults. Online banking platforms continued operating, keeping customer satisfaction high. - Online Platforms and Marketplaces
In Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, e-commerce websites endured massive surges in user demand—especially during big sales—by relying on load-balancing features and cloud-based traffic scrubbing.
Where to Buy and Get Expert Advice
For comprehensive anti-DDoS (anti-DDoS) solutions, contact NWU. As the authorized distributor of NETSCOUT (previously Arbor Networks) in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, NWU offers:
- Sales of NETSCOUT Products
A broad range of solutions to combat diverse DDoS scenarios. - System Configuration & Integration
Customized setups that match regional business conditions. - Technical Support and Consultations
Dedicated cybersecurity professionals assist with deployment and ongoing maintenance.
Contact NWU today for detailed pricing, deployment options, and strategic advice on fortifying your network against evolving DDoS threats. Our team is prepared to assist companies of all sizes—from startups in Georgia to large financial institutions in Ukraine.
Final Takeaway
DDoS attacks are a serious challenge for any enterprise reliant on continuous online services. Cybercriminals employ botnets, exploit protocol quirks, and leverage complex application-level assaults to force downtime.
A proactive security posture—featuring regular threat assessments, round-the-clock monitoring, and robust mitigation technologies—forms the core of effective defense. NETSCOUT (previously Arbor Networks) has a track record of protecting organizations worldwide through cutting-edge offerings such as Arbor Edge Defense and Arbor TMS.
When you need a proven anti-DDoS (anti-DDoS) strategy, NWU stands ready to help. Operating in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, we provide product sales, professional consultations, and end-to-end support for NETSCOUT solutions. Don’t wait for the next attack—reinforce your business continuity today!
