Gaming has evolved significantly over the years. Previously, multiplayer gaming meant two friends fighting who plays with the left side of the keyboard and who gets to play with the Numpad on the right.
On the other hand, players could be sitting on opposite sides of the globe and simultaneously engage in real-time matches. Now, people can choose from various playing platforms like PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Smartphone, and a few others.
However, with this significant advancement in the world of gaming comes the added risk of cyberattacks and other forms of harm. And Xbox users are familiar with this phenomenon a little too well.
Specifically, Xbox users commonly fall victim to DDoS attacks or Distributed-Denial-of-Service attacks. It can quickly interfere with and ruin the entire gaming session, leaving you with nothing but frustration.
For your aid, we thought to help you understand DDoS attacks while also discussing how to counter DDoS attacks and save yourself from the threat lurking online. Let’s start:
What is a DDoS Attack?
A DDoS attack is an advanced level of DoS attack. A DoS attack utilized a single point to infiltrate the target device. In comparison, a DDoS attack is exponentially worse as it uses a botnet key that enables the hacker to take control of numerous devices simultaneously.
To create a botnet key, the hacker must target all vulnerabilities in the devices. These vulnerabilities are then infected with the virus as long as the device is connected to the Internet of Things (IoT).
Once a device is infected, it becomes a Zombie. Like an actual zombie, any device that the zombie device comes in contact with gets infected.
What to Do If You are Under a DDoS Attack?
To figure out what to do when you are under a DDoS attack, you first need to be able to identify when a DDoS is about to take place. It would help if you kept an eye out for a few signs. For instance, you might be playing an online match and suddenly start getting messages in your inbox, usually threatening ones. They will ask you to follow their instructions or face serious consequences.
If you are ever faced with such a situation, you first need to shut down your internet router entirely for a minimum of ten minutes. Then, you can restart your router after a reboot. A DDoS will only work if you are connected to the internet, and if you reboot your router, you will get connected to a different IP address.
The next thing that you need to do is contact your ISP and let them know that you are under a DDoS attack. They will be better capable of tracing the source of the attack. Additionally, they can take the necessary measures to bring the culprits to justice.
How to Prevent a DDoS Attack?
“Prevention is better than cure” – All of us know that. So, you should know how to prevent a DDoS attack rather than picking up the pieces once infected.
One thing you could do is subscribe to a reliable VPN for Xbox that can significantly minimize the risk of infection. By connecting through a VPN, you will be masking your actual IP address and using a virtual IP address from a different geographical location. And since this connection is also encrypted, it is almost impossible for the attacker to infect your Xbox.
The other thing that you need to do is keep your firewall updated and active. A firewall is designed to hold a majority of threats at bay. If your firewall is correctly set up, DDoS attacks might not affect your internet router.
Moreover, you must always have reliable antivirus software standing by you, protecting you from threats if you ever get infected. While a firewall prevents any attack, an antivirus should still be there if any attacks sneak past the firewall.
The last thing you need to do is employ a third-party DDoS attack mitigation service. These services are designed to tackle DDoS attacks entirely. Even though this option is highly effective, it can be pretty expensive. Usually, giant organizations rely on third-party DDoS mitigation services, as they have a dedicated budget.
All in All
You turn to your Xbox console for a leisurely experience. And if this time of yours is wasted dealing with attacks such as a DDoS attack, your otherwise favorite pastime can turn into the worst possible period of your life. So, make the intelligent choice, employ every precaution mentioned in the article above, and use the tools and tactics if faced with a DDoS attack.
