Web Hosting Help - Dedicated Servers

DoS, or Denial of Service, attacks are very difficult to prevent since it is often a factor that is out of your hands. If you believe you’re under attack, the first step of action is to contact your web host or uplink provider to help setup filters. These filters or rules stop the hostile packets from reaching your dedicated server, and so the dedicated server can become responsive again. However, it is not unusual for web hosting providers to shut down the dedicated server, or null route the victim IP address, until the attack passes especially when it involves DDoS. Not many uplinks are prepared to manage attacks of any large scale.

However, if you sell web hosting your self or offer some form of online service, there are strategies that can help minimize DoS, or DDoS, attacks. For example:

- Screen your clients. Ensure the clients do not host web sites that is considered offensive or is of a high risk nature i.e. IRC related information.

- Monitor processes. If you allow TELNET, SSH or other forms of remote access to run programs on the dedicated services, monitor it closely. For security reasons, do not give shell or TELNET access if possible.

- Research dedicated server provider. This is a very important aspect, since some web hosts do host web sites of high risk nature, and often attract attacks that may affect your service in one or another. Secondly, if you are the victim of DoS, select a web host that has a history of managing them.

Hope this helps!