In early June, Microsoft confirmed a series of DDoS attacks targeting its Azure, Outlook, and OneDrive services. Launched from multiple cloud services and open proxy infrastructure, the attacks temporarily affected the availability of some services.
The attackers employed a technique called Slowloris, which involves opening a connection to a web server, requesting a resource (e.g., an image), but deliberately delaying the download confirmation, forcing the server to keep the connection open and the requested resource in memory. This can lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack, where a server is overwhelmed with requests and unable to respond to legitimate traffic.
Although the Anonymous Sudan hacker group claimed responsibility for the attacks, Microsoft has not confirmed their involvement. Anonymous Sudan has been linked to several DDoS attacks against organizations in Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, and Germany since the beginning of the year.
These attacks on Microsoft’s services join a recent string of DDoS attacks targeting major companies. In March, a DDoS attack on Cloudflare took down numerous high-profile websites, including Reddit, GitHub, and The New York Times.
Stay Ahead of DDoS Attacks: Defend Your Business Today
DDoS attacks continue to grow in frequency and complexity, and it’s crucial for businesses to stay prepared. Microsoft has already taken measures to bolster its defenses against such threats, and it’s time for other companies to follow suit.
Safeguard Your Business from DDoS Attacks: Top Tips
- Choose a web hosting provider with built-in DDoS protection.
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) to filter out malicious traffic.
- Keep a close eye on your website traffic for any anomalies.
- Develop a robust response plan for potential DDoS attacks.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to shield your business from the ever-evolving threat of DDoS attacks.