Nothing worry like DoS Attack Ack Scan, mainly when you experience it for the first time. As soon as you encounter it, you’ll be aware of the security risk it brings.
DoS Attack Ack Scan occurs when you are on the internet trying to connect to other computers or websites but are blocked by malicious attackers.
This attack is used to disrupt the internet connection and block normal access. It slows your network as it mostly attacks your Wi-Fi router, later slowing down your network connection.
At first, you may think that hackers are trying to access your information, but they are actually blocking your connection to the website. In most cases, attackers use a method called packet flooding.
Hackers overwhelm the router with many data packets and exhaust its resources, making it impossible for the router to respond. This makes your connection slow and thus prevents you from accessing the website.
But [DoS Attack: ACK Scan] should not be something to worry about as there are ways to prevent and mitigate it. This article will provide a basic understanding of the attack, how to detect it and finally, how to prevent it. So, let’s get started!
What Is A DOS Attack: Ack Scan?
Computer users should be aware of a DOS or denial of service attack. A DOS attack is when a malicious hacker sends an overwhelming amount of traffic to a target computer, making it unable to respond to legitimate traffic. One type of DOS attack is an Ack Scan.
An Ack Scan occurs when the hacker sends many packets with the ACK flag set. This causes the target computer to respond, resulting in excessive outbound traffic that can slow down or even crash the system. The attacker can launch further attacks to exploit the vulnerable system.
Ack Scans are difficult to detect and prevent, so computer users need to be aware of the risks and take active measures to protect themselves.
This includes regularly updating antivirus software, using strong passwords, and monitoring network traffic. Following these steps can reduce the likelihood of a successful DOS attack.
How To Stop DoS Attack ACK Scan?
There are a few steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of a successful Dos attack, such as Ack Scan:
1. Change or Hide IP Address
If your home router is publicly accessible, change your IP address so it is harder for attackers to access it. Changing the IP is simple. You only need to restart your router.
This will assign you a new IP address. Most DoS Attacks try to target the same address, so restarting can help.
This slows down internet connections. So, restarting your router will make the DoS Attach forget the IP they were trying to intrude on.
How to Restart Your Wi-Fi Router
- Unplug your router or modem from its power outlet.
- Wait 60 seconds.
- Plug your router or modem back into its power outlet.
If you want to hide your IP, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). It will provide an extra layer of security and privacy from cyber criminals and hackers.
VPNs mask your IP address and encrypt your online data, making it difficult for attackers to monitor and track you. They also allow you to access restricted content and websites.
2. Block Unwanted Connections and Requests
You can block unwanted connections and requests from accessing your network by implementing a firewall.
Firewalls create a secure barrier between your computer or device and the internet, monitoring and controlling the information going in and out of your network.
You can also use an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to detect any suspicious activity and block it.
An IDS is a software or hardware device that detects malicious traffic or activities, such as DoS Attacks. It can be used to identify and monitor suspicious activities, as well as alert you when an attack is taking place.
3. Use Anti-DoS Software
You can protect your network from DoS Attacks by using anti-DoS software. This type of software monitors your network for malicious traffic and can detect and block malicious requests.
It also helps identify the source of the attack. Anti-DoS software can be combined with other security measures to increase your network’s protection.
Some anti-DoS software can also be used to take action against the attacker, such as blacklisting their IP address or taking other measures. This is a great way to deter attackers from targeting your network.
4. Configure Your Router
Configuring your router is another way to reduce the likelihood of a DoS attack. You can enable features such as port or MAC address filtering, which will restrict access to the network from only authorized devices.
You can also configure your firewall settings to limit the number of ACK scans sent to your system.
Additionally, you can set up intrusion detection systems on the router, which will alert you if an attack is detected. By taking these steps, you can make it much harder for attackers to target your network with a DoS attack.
5. Defence Layers
Using multiple layers of defence can also help protect your network from DoS attacks. This includes implementing anti-virus and anti-malware software, firewalls, and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS). These can detect ACK scan activity and help limit its impact.
6. Updating Firmware
Outdated software means that attackers can exploit some bugs and vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is important to keep all the software in use up-to-date.
Firmware can often be updated by downloading the latest version from the manufacturer’s website and installing it.
This helps to prevent DoS attacks and ACK scan attacks, as the latest updates may contain security patches that protect against such attacks.
7. Improve Network Security
Changing your network password a month is a good security practice and can help to prevent ACK scans.
Ensure the new passwords are strong, using upper-case letters, lower-case letters, special characters, and numbers. It is also essential to use different passwords for each account or service.
Attackers can also use Malware like Brute Force or Phishing to gain access to your network and launch DoS attacks.
They break weak passwords, so a strong password and two-factor authentication is important.
8. Update Operating System
For Windows, Linux and Mac, ensure the operating system is updated to its latest version. Regularly patching the OS will help protect against known vulnerabilities, which attackers can exploit to launch a DoS attack.
It is also important to use a firewall and antivirus software that is regularly updated, as this will keep the system secure from any malicious activities.
9. Use Access Control Lists (ACLs)
An Access Control List (ACL) is a set of rules that control which users or systems can access the network and what actions they can take. ACLs help to prevent DoS attacks ACK scan, as they can be used only to allow legitimate traffic and block any malicious activity.
10. Contact Your Internet Service Provider
You can contact your internet service provider for help if your network is still attacked. They have the tools and resources to identify the source of the attack and take measures to stop it. In some cases, they can also implement a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) mitigation solution, which will help protect your network from further attacks.
How DoS Attack Detected?
DoS attacks are detected by monitoring network traffic for any suspicious or anomalous activity. This can include sudden spikes in incoming requests, large requests from a single source, or slow connection speeds. If any unusual activity is detected, it can indicate that the network is under attack.
It is important to have the right security measures to prevent and detect DoS attacks ACK scans, such as using firewalls, ACLs, and up-to-date software. By doing this, networks will be better protected, and malicious activity can be identified quickly.
Why are DDoS or DoS Attacks Carried Out?
There are different reasons why a malicious actor might carry out Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) or Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks. Below are the most discussed reasons:
1. Stealing Data
Bots can launch DDoS or DoS attacks against a computer system, overwhelming it with requests and causing the server to crash. This leaves the system vulnerable to malware and other cyberattacks, allowing malicious actors to steal sensitive data.
2. Extortion or Ransom
Sometimes, attackers may launch DDoS or DoS attacks to extort money from the target. The attacker will threaten to continue the attack until the target pays a ransom.
3. Disrupting Services or Business
DDoS and DoS attacks disrupt services and business operations. This is particularly true for online businesses, which heavily rely on digital systems to run their operations. An attack can bring their operations to a halt and cause significant financial losses.
4. Botnet
It is a computer-infected network of computers that a malicious actor can use to launch DDoS or DoS attacks. The infected computer is known as the zombie or botnet, which can be used to launch an attack on a targeted system.
5. Mining Crypto Currency
Crypto mining requires a lot of computing power and electricity. Attackers use DDoS or DoS attacks to take control of the victims’ computers or networks and use their computing power to mine cryptocurrency.
How To Prevent DoS Attacks On Routers?
Preventing is better than cure, so properly protecting your router from DoS attacks is important. Here are some steps you can take to help prevent DoS attacks on your router:
1. Ensure your router uses the latest firmware updates and security patches. This will help protect against any known vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.
2. Regularly monitor the router for suspicious activity and configure it to alert you when something unusual is detected.
3. Configure your router to only allow incoming traffic from trusted sources. This will help prevent malicious traffic from entering the network.
4. Enable the router’s firewalls and configure them to block unwanted or malicious traffic.
5. Limit access to your router and configure various authentication mechanisms such as password protection, two-factor authentication, or access tokens.
6. Implement an intrusion detection system (IDS) to detect and block malicious traffic before it reaches the router.
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Conclusion
DoS Attack ACK scan can cause serious damage to a network and its resources, so it is important to be aware of the risks and take the necessary steps to protect your network.
It is essential to have the right security measures in place. Refrain from assuming that firewalls and anti-virus software will be enough to protect you from these attacks.
Implementing network segmentation, monitoring your network traffic, and using intrusion detection systems are all ways to help protect your network against DoS Attack ACK scans.
