In a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, someone launches a cyberattack targeting a computer or web server with the intent of temporarily or permanently disrupting the network. A DoS attack is carried out by flooding the computer or server with meaningless, superfluous requests.
The goal is to slow down or take down the server, preventing it from handling legitimate requests and traffic. DoS attacks can cost a business time, money, and reputation.
Purpose of a DoS attack
A denial of service attacks is designed to overwhelm a machine or server with excessive requests, with the ultimate goal of slowing down or taking down the server.
In attempting to handle the hundreds (sometimes thousands) of excess requests, the server can’t handle legitimate user requests.
DoS attacks typically target high-profile web servers such as banks or credit card companies. Attacks may transpire as revenge, blackmail, or activism techniques. Whatever the motivation, the result is the same: Deprive legitimate users of a service or resource.
Signs of a DoS attack
Unusually slow network performance
Unavailability of a particular web site
Inability to access any website
A dramatic increase in the number of spam emails
Types of DoS attacks
The most common type of DoS attack involves flooding a network server with requests, overloading it with traffic. The overwhelmed server then is unavailable to legitimate users.
There are several types of DoS attacks:
Smurf Attack: Sends Internet Control Message Protocol broadcast packets to many hosts with a spoofed source IP address that belongs to the target machine. The target responds and becomes flooded with those responses.
SYN Flood: Sends a number of requests to connect to the target server that can’t be completed. The connection queues fill up and unavailable for any other requests.
Buffer Overflow: Data transferred to a buffer exceeds the storage capacity, and then the data overflows into another buffer – one the data was not intended to enter.
Ping of Death: Sends a ping request that is larger than 65,536 bytes, which is the maximum size that IP allows, causing a buffer overload.
How to protect yourself from a DOS attack
DoS attacks can prove to be costly to businesses – in lost revenue, time, and reputation. To avoid becoming a victim of a DoS or DDoS attack, businesses can take the following preventative measures:
To avoid becoming a victim of a DoS or DDoS attack, businesses can take the following preventative measures:
Enrol in a DoS protection service that detects abnormal traffic flows and redirect traffic away from your network
Create a Disaster Recovery Plan to ensure proper communication, mitigation, and recovery of data in case of an attack
Secure all endpoint connections
Install a firewall and restrict traffic
Evaluate your security settings and follow good security practices.
Conclusion
Staying vigilant and implementing good security practices can prevent your business from falling victim to a cyberattack.
For more information contact Ryan Danvers at ABACON IT on 072 601 2858.
Author: Ryan Danvers
ABACON IT
Windows 11 Upgrade - Will it work on your lapop?
So, you’re wondering about Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. It looks snazzy and has some neat features. But can your current laptop actually run it? Don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in IT to figure this out! We at abacon IT in Cape Town are here to help you understand the basics.
Upgrading your laptop to Windows 11 can give it a new lease on life. However, Windows 11 has certain system requirements. These are the minimum specifications your laptop needs to have to run the software smoothly. Think of it like needing the right ingredients for a recipe – without them, it just won’t work properly.
One of the most important parts is your laptop’s processor, often called the CPU (Central Processing Unit). This is the “brain” of your computer. Windows 11 needs a fairly recent and capable CPU to function well.
Which Processors Work with Windows 11?
Here’s a simplified look at the processors that are generally compatible:
Intel Processors:
Generally, Windows 11 requires an 8th-generation Intel Core processor or newer. You might see names like “Intel Core i5-8xxx” or “Intel Core i7-11xxx.” The first number after the “i” (or “i3”) usually indicates the generation. So, an “i5-8250u” is an 8th-generation processor.
Intel also has its Pentium and Celeron processors. For Windows 11, only certain newer models are compatible.
AMD Processors:
For AMD, Windows 11 requires Ryzen 2000 Series and newer. You’ll see names like “AMD Ryzen 5 2xxx” or “AMD Ryzen 7 5xxx”. Again, the first number after “Ryzen” indicates the series.
AMD also has Athlon processors. Similar to Intel’s Pentium and Celeron, only specific newer Athlon models will work with Windows 11.
Important Note: This is a general guideline. There can be exceptions, so it’s always best to double-check your specific processor.
How to Find Out Which Processor Your Laptop Has
Don’t fret, Windows makes it pretty easy to see what CPU is inside your laptop:
Right-click the Start Button: This is the Windows logo (usually in the bottom-left corner of your screen).
Select “System”: A new window will pop up with information about your computer.
Look for “Processor”: You’ll find this listed under the “Device specifications” section. It will tell you the name of your processor, including the manufacturer (Intel or AMD) and the model number, which usually indicates the generation or series.
Once you have this information, you can compare it to the general lists above.
Other Important Bits for Windows 11
Besides the processor, there are a few other things Windows 11 needs:
RAM (Random Access Memory): Consider this your laptop’s short-term memory. Windows 11 requires at least 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. More is always better for smoother performance. Instead, consider 16 gigabytes (GB).
Storage: To install Windows 11, you’ll need at least 64 GB of free space on your hard drive or SSD (Solid-State Drive). An SSD generally makes your computer much faster.
TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): This is a security feature. Most modern laptops have this, but it’s worth checking. You can usually find information on how to check for TPM 2.0 in your laptop’s BIOS settings (you might need to consult your laptop manufacturer’s website for instructions on accessing this).
Graphics Card: Your graphics card needs to be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver. Most reasonably recent graphics cards will meet this requirement.
Display: You’ll need a screen with a resolution of at least 720p (HD).
Still Not Sure? We Can Help!
Figuring out all these technical details can be daunting. If you’re still unsure whether your laptop is ready for Windows 11, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at abacon IT in Cape Town.
Our friendly team can quickly assess your system and give you straightforward advice. We’re here to help your SME thrive with reliable IT solutions! Contact us at 072-601-2858 or email info@abacon.co.za, and we will call you back.
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