DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are one of the most widespread and dangerous types of network attacks. Their primary goal is to overwhelm a target server with a massive amount of requests, leading to temporary or permanent unavailability. Protecting against DDoS attacks is crucial for server administrators, and one of the effective tools for mitigating the risk of these attacks is DDoS Deflate.
What is DDoS Deflate?
DDoS Deflate is an open-source shell script designed to protect servers from DDoS attacks. The tool monitors network connections and detects IP addresses that generate an unusually high number of connections to the server. Based on predefined rules, it blocks suspicious IP addresses using a firewall (e.g., IPTables).
How Does DDoS Deflate Work?
DDoS Deflate works by monitoring the number of active connections on a server. If an IP address exceeds the set connection limit within a specific time frame, the tool adds the IP address to a blacklist and blocks it. The process is fully automated, allowing for a quick response to potential DDoS attacks without the need for manual intervention by the administrator.
Main Features of DDoS Deflate
- Automatic detection and blocking of suspicious IP addresses: The tool analyzes network connections and blocks IP addresses generating an excessive number of requests.
- Low system requirements: DDoS Deflate is a very lightweight script that does not burden the system and can be deployed even on smaller servers.
- Simple configuration: The script can be easily customized to meet the needs of a specific server, including setting thresholds for blocking IP addresses.
- Compatibility with common firewalls: DDoS Deflate supports IPTables, allowing easy integration with existing security measures.
Installing DDoS Deflate
Installing DDoS Deflate is very simple and involves three steps:
- Download the script: The script can be downloaded from the official repository using the command:
wget https://github.com/jgmdev/ddos-deflate/archive/master.zip - Unzip and install:
unzip master.zip
cd ddos-deflate-master
./install.sh - Configuration: After installation, you can edit the configuration file
/usr/local/ddos/ddos.conf, where you can set, for example, the maximum number of allowed connections per IP address or the interval in which the tool will analyze network traffic.
Configuring DDoS Deflate
One of the main advantages of DDoS Deflate is the flexibility of its configuration. Key parameters that can be customized include:
- NO_OF_CONNECTIONS: The maximum number of allowed connections per IP address. If this value is exceeded, the IP address is blocked.
- BAN_PERIOD: The duration for which a suspicious IP address will be blocked.
- EMAIL_TO: The email address of the administrator to which notifications will be sent in case of suspicious behavior detection.
A typical configuration file looks like this:
NO_OF_CONNECTIONS=150
BAN_PERIOD=600
EMAIL_TO="This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."
Advantages and Limitations of DDoS Deflate
Advantages
- Ease of use: Installing and configuring DDoS Deflate is very intuitive.
- Automatic protection: The tool provides automatic protection without the need for constant server monitoring.
- Low cost: As an open-source solution, DDoS Deflate is completely free.
Limitations
- Basic level of protection: DDoS Deflate is not a comprehensive solution for protecting against large-scale DDoS attacks and is more suitable for smaller servers or as an additional measure.
- Possible false positives: In some cases, DDoS Deflate may block legitimate users if they generate a higher-than-average number of requests.
DDoS Deflate is a simple and effective tool for protecting smaller servers from DDoS attacks. With its easy installation, low system requirements, and customization options, it is an ideal solution for servers facing smaller attacks or as a first line of defense against larger threats. However, it is important to note that more comprehensive solutions may be required for full protection against massive DDoS attacks.
