What is an HTTP flood attack?

An HTTP flood attack is a form of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack specifically targeting web servers. In this malicious assault, the attacker overwhelms a web server with an enormous volume of HTTP requests, rendering it incapable of handling legitimate user requests. This tactic capitalizes on the stateless nature of the HTTP protocol, allowing for easy forging and amplification of requests. Such attacks can come from a single source or be distributed across multiple locations, making them harder to trace and block. The simplicity of executing these attacks makes them a popular tool among cybercriminals looking to disrupt online services.

How does it work?

Step 1: Request Amplification

HTTP flood attacks exploit the stateless nature of the HTTP protocol, enabling attackers to forge a vast number of seemingly legitimate requests. These requests are often designed to consume server resources disproportionately.

Step 2: Botnet Deployment

Perpetrators commonly utilize botnets, networks of compromised computers, to amplify the scale and impact of the attack. This distributed approach makes it challenging to trace and mitigate the source of the assault.

Step 3: Targeting Specific Vulnerabilities

HTTP flood attacks may exploit vulnerabilities in web server software, operating systems, or specific applications. By pinpointing weaknesses, attackers maximize the efficacy of their assault.

Types of HTTP flood attacks

In the realm of HTTP flood attacks, adversaries deploy a variety of tactics to overwhelm web servers, each with its own distinctive approach.

• GET Floods: GET Floods are a type of HTTP flood attack that targets the HTTP GET method used in web communication. Attackers send a massive number of GET requests to a web server, designed to look like legitimate user interactions, with the aim of overwhelming the server’s resources and capacity to respond. Imagine your website is a popular restaurant, and suddenly, an overwhelming number of customers flood in, each asking for the menu without any intention of placing an order. GET floods operate similarly, bombarding the server with a surge of requests for information, causing chaos and resource exhaustion.

• POST Floods:  POST Floods focus on the HTTP POST method, which is used for sending data to a server. In these attacks, cybercriminals flood the server with numerous POST requests, often containing seemingly valid data submissions. This flood of requests can strain the server’s CPU and memory resources, causing delayed responses or service disruptions. Picture customers storming in and placing orders at an unprecedented rate, without any regard for the kitchen’s capacity. POST floods emulate this scenario by inundating the server with an excessive number of data-submission requests, pushing the server to its limits and potentially causing it to stumble.

Impact of HTTP flood attack

Picture your website as a bustling city during rush hour and an HTTP flood attack as an unexpected surge in traffic causing digital gridlock. This online congestion not only disrupts normal operations but also leads to inevitable downtime and service interruptions as the server contends with an overwhelming influx of requests.

• Downtime and Service Disruption. Think of your website as a bustling city with countless residents seeking information. An HTTP flood attack is like an unexpected traffic jam, bringing the entire city to a standstill. Downtime and service disruption become inevitable as the server struggles to handle the overwhelming surge of requests.
  Suggested article: Understanding the HTTP status codes

• Financial Loss. Just as a shop loses revenue when forced to close unexpectedly, businesses hit by an HTTP flood attack experience financial setbacks. The loss isn’t just in terms of immediate revenue; it’s also about potential future earnings as user trust takes a hit.
• Reputational Damage. Consider the impact on a brand when its flagship store experiences a sudden closure. Similarly, successful HTTP flood attacks can tarnish a website’s reputation, eroding the hard-earned trust of users. Reputational damage extends beyond the immediate attack, affecting long-term relationships with customers.

5 Signs your website is under HTTP flood attack

Early detection of an HTTP flood attack is crucial for effective response. Here are technical indicators that may signal such an attack:

1. Increased HTTP Request Rates: If your web server logs show a sudden and sustained increase in HTTP GET or POST requests, especially from a range of unusual IP addresses, this could indicate an attack. Monitoring tools can be configured to alert administrators to spikes that exceed baseline levels.
2. Increased CPU and Memory Usage: HTTP flood attacks force the server to handle a massive number of requests, leading to unusual CPU and memory consumption. If your server resources are maxing out unexpectedly, this might be a sign of a flood attack.
3. Slow or Non-Responsive Website: A significant HTTP flood attack can slow down your website or make it entirely unresponsive, as the server struggles to handle the load. If your site becomes inaccessible or experiences frequent timeouts, it may be under attack.
4. Log Files Full of Repetitive Requests: When reviewing server logs, you may notice a large volume of similar requests, often with the same IP range, user agent, or request URL. This repetitive pattern is a hallmark of HTTP flood attacks, as attackers often send requests in bursts.
5. Increased Bounce Rate Without Clear Cause: When legitimate users experience a slow or non-responsive website due to an attack, they are more likely to leave. If you see a sudden increase in bounce rate without an obvious reason, an HTTP flood attack may be the culprit.

Preventive measures against HTTP flood attack

Detecting an HTTP flood attack is akin to being the vigilant lifeguard at a crowded beach.

Monitoring service

Just as a lifeguard watches the ocean for irregularities, detecting HTTP flood attacks involves monitoring for abnormal spikes in web traffic. An unexpected surge signals trouble, prompting a swift response to ensure the safety of the online “beach.” With HTTP/HTTPS Monitoring service you will be able to keep track of the performance and availability of websites, web applications, and web services.

Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)

Think of WAFs as the vigilant eye of the lifeguard tower, surveying the digital sea. These firewalls analyze incoming traffic, identifying and blocking any suspicious activity, acting as a proactive defense against potential threats.

DDoS Mitigation Services

There are services specifically designed to protect against DDoS attacks, including HTTP Floods. DDoD Protection services work by diverting traffic through their networks first, filtering out the bad traffic, and only sending the good traffic to your server.

Implement Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

CDNs distribute your content across multiple, geographically diverse servers, so it’s closer to your users. This not only speeds up content delivery but also means that traffic is spread out and not directed at a single server, making it harder for an HTTP Flood to have an impact. In addition, at ClouDNS you can build your own CDN with our GeoDNS service. With it you can be one layer protected against these malicious attacks. 

How to create your own CDN using DNS

Creating Redundancies

Have a backup plan, or in technical terms, create redundancies. If one server or network component fails under the load, others can take over. This is like having backup generators ready in case the main power supply goes out.

Conclusion

Though HTTP flood attacks present a real and present danger to web servers, the good news is that they are not insurmountable. By staying vigilant, employing a layered security approach, and embracing both reactive and proactive defense strategies, businesses can effectively dampen the impact of these attacks. Ensuring your website’s resilience in the digital ecosystem is key, allowing you to maintain seamless operations and safeguard your digital assets against such disruptive forces.

The post HTTP flood attack – What is it and How to prevent it? appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.

What is SFTP?

SFTP, which stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol (you can also find it as SSH File Transfer Protocol), is a network protocol designed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to securely transfer files between two systems over a network. It is an extension of the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol, meaning it encrypts both the command and data channels, unlike its predecessor FTP (File Transfer Protocol), which transfers data without encryption.

This encryption ensures that files are not susceptible to interception or tampering during transmission. With SFTP, data travels through a secure, encrypted connection, providing an additional layer of security compared to other file transfer protocols.

Secure File Transfer Protocol operates on port 22, the same as SSH, meaning there’s no need to open additional ports – making it simpler and more secure compared to FTP, which requires separate ports for data and control connections. This single-port connection reduces vulnerabilities and simplifies firewall management.

How does SFTP work?

SFTP operates over an encrypted SSH connection, using port 22 by default. Here’s a step-by-step look at how it works:

1. Authentication: The client initiates a connection by authenticating with the server. Authentication can be done through a variety of methods, such as a password, an SSH key, or other secure methods.
2. Connection: Once authenticated, the client and server establish a secure connection through SSH. During this phase, both the data and commands transmitted between the client and server are encrypted.
3. File Transfer: After the connection is established, the client can upload or download files from the server, as well as manage files remotely (e.g., rename, delete, or change permissions).
4. End of Session: After the file transfer process is complete, the connection is securely closed.

The entire file transfer process is secure, ensuring that your data is safe from interception, even on untrusted networks like the internet.

Key Features of SFTP

• Encryption: SFTP uses SSH encryption to ensure that files are transferred securely, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access or interception.
• Authentication: It supports password-based and SSH key-based authentication, adding an extra layer of security.
• Data Integrity: SFTP includes checks to ensure data integrity during transmission, ensuring that files remain unaltered.
• Secure Connection: Secure File Transfer Protocol uses port 22 by default, securing both command and data transmission in a single connection, unlike FTP, which requires multiple ports.
• Remote File Management: You can perform various file management tasks directly on the remote server, such as navigating directories, renaming files, and changing file permissions.

Secure File Transfer Protocol Commands

Here are some common SFTP commands for file management:

• ls: List files in the current directory on the remote server.
• put [local_file] [remote_file]: Upload a local file to the remote server.
• get [remote_file] [local_file]: Download a file from the remote server to the local system.
• cd [directory]: Change the remote directory.
• chmod [permissions] [file]: Change file permissions on the remote server.

For more complex tasks, you can automate SFTP file transfers by scripting these commands, which is particularly useful in businesses where frequent file transfers are required.

How to use SFTP?

Here’s a basic guide on how to use SFTP to transfer files:

1. Using the Command Line

If you are comfortable using the command line, you can transfer files using the built-in SFTP client on Linux, macOS, or Windows (via a tool like PowerShell or PuTTY). Here’s an example of how to upload a file using SFTP:

• Open your terminal (Linux/macOS) or Command Prompt (Windows).

Type the following command to initiate the connection:
sftp user@hostname

• Replace user with your username and hostname with the IP address or domain name of the server.
• You will be prompted to enter your password.

Once connected, you can use put to upload a file:
put /local/path/to/file /remote/path/

• To download a file, use get:

get /remote/path/to/file /local/path/

• Use exit to close the connection once you’re done.

2. Using GUI Tools

If you prefer a graphical interface, there are numerous SFTP clients that make file transfers easy without needing to use the command line. Some popular options include:

• FileZilla: FileZilla is a free, cross-platform client that supports SFTP.
• WinSCP: WinSCP is a  popular SFTP client for Windows that also supports SCP and FTP.
• Cyberduck: Cyberduck is a user-friendly SFTP client available for macOS and Windows.

With these tools, transferring files is as simple as dragging and dropping them from your local system to the remote server.

SFTP vs. FTP: What’s the Difference?

Although both SFTP and FTP allow file transfers between two systems, there are significant differences between them:

• Encryption: FTP transmits data in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception. SFTP, on the other hand, uses SSH encryption, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the data.
• Ports: FTP requires multiple ports for control and data connections, making it more difficult to configure in secure environments. SFTP uses only one port (usually port 22), simplifying firewall setup.
• Authentication: FTP uses simple username/password authentication, while SFTP offers additional security options, including SSH keys.
• Data Integrity: SFTP verifies file integrity through checksums, ensuring that the transferred files haven’t been altered during transmission, something FTP lacks.

Suggested article: FTP vs HTTP: Understanding the Key Differences

SFTP vs. HTTPS: Key security differences

Both SFTP and HTTPS offer secure methods of transferring data, but they serve distinct purposes.

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is designed specifically for secure file transfers and works over SSH (port 22). It supports features like file renaming, deleting, and setting permissions, making it ideal for managing and transferring files in bulk or automatically between systems.

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is used for secure web communications, protecting data exchanged between web browsers and servers (like form submissions or online transactions). It uses SSL/TLS encryption (port 443), ensuring confidentiality for sensitive data during web interactions.

Suggested: What is SSL/TLS monitoring? 

While both are secure, SFTP is better suited for file management and automation, whereas HTTPS is focused on secure web browsing and transactions.

Conclusion

In an age where data security is paramount, SFTP stands out as a secure, efficient, and flexible method for transferring files across networks. Its built-in encryption, support for SSH key authentication, and ease of use make it a go-to choice for businesses and individuals alike. Whether you’re backing up sensitive data, ensuring compliance with security regulations, or managing files on a remote server, Secure File Transfer Protocol delivers a secure, scalable solution.

The post SFTP Fundamentals: A Deep Dive into Secure File Transfer Protocol appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.

Understanding HTTP

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It is the foundation of any data exchange on the Web and is a protocol used for transmitting hypertext. HTTP allows for the fetching of resources, such as HTML documents, and it is the protocol that makes the web work.

When you enter a URL in your browser, it starts with “http://”, which tells the browser to use HTTP to communicate with the web server hosting the website. However, HTTP has a significant drawback: it transmits data in plain text. This means that any data exchanged between the browser and the server can be intercepted and read by anyone who has access to the data stream.

Additionally, HTTP uses a system of status codes to indicate the status of requests made by the client to the server. These HTTP status codes are essential for understanding how web interactions are processed. For example, a “200 OK” status means the request was successful, a “404 Not Found” indicates a missing resource, and a “500 Internal Server Error” points to a problem on the server side.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It is an extension of HTTP and uses a secure connection to encrypt the data being transferred between the browser and the server. The secure connection is established using an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol.

When a URL starts with “https://“, it indicates that the website is using HTTPS, and any data exchanged is encrypted. This encryption ensures that even if the data is intercepted, it cannot be read without the decryption key, providing a higher level of security.

HTTP vs HTTPS: Key Differences

Data Encryption

• HTTP: Transmits data in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception and eavesdropping. Anyone with access to the data stream can read the information being exchanged, which poses a significant security risk.
• HTTPS: Encrypts data, ensuring that it remains confidential and secure during transmission. Even if the data is intercepted, it cannot be read without the decryption key. This encryption is vital for protecting sensitive information such as login credentials, payment details, and personal data.

Security

• HTTP: Does not provide any security features. Data can be easily intercepted and manipulated, leading to potential security breaches. This lack of security makes HTTP unsuitable for websites that handle sensitive information.
• HTTPS: Provides data integrity and authenticity. It ensures that the data sent and received has not been tampered with and that the website is legitimate. This level of security is crucial for maintaining user trust and protecting against various cyber threats, including HTTP flood attacks.

SEO Benefits

• HTTP: Websites using HTTP do not receive any special ranking benefits from search engines. In fact, search engines may penalize HTTP sites by ranking them lower in search results.
• HTTPS: Preferred by search engines, improving rankings and visibility. Google and other search engines prioritize HTTPS websites, which can lead to better search engine rankings and increased traffic.

Trust and Credibility

• HTTP: Users may see warnings in their browsers indicating that the connection is not secure. These warnings can deter users from visiting the site or entering personal information.
• HTTPS: Websites using HTTPS display a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, instilling trust and confidence in users. This visual cue reassures users that their data is secure, encouraging them to interact with the website.

Performance

• HTTP: Generally faster because it does not need to establish a secure connection. However, this speed comes at the cost of security.
• HTTPS: Slightly slower due to the encryption/decryption process, but advancements in technology have minimized this difference. Modern implementations of HTTPS are highly optimized, resulting in negligible performance impacts.

Comparative table of HTTP vs HTTPS

Why to Choose HTTPS Over HTTP?

Protecting Sensitive Information

HTTPS is essential for safeguarding sensitive data such as login credentials, payment details, and personal information. Without encryption, this data is vulnerable to theft. HTTPS ensures that any data exchanged between the user and the website is encrypted and secure from eavesdroppers. This is particularly important for e-commerce sites, online banking, and any platform requiring user authentication. Similarly, for transferring files, secure versions of FTP, like FTPS or SFTP, provide encryption to protect data during transit.

Suggest article: FTP vs HTTP: Understanding the Key Differences

Enhancing User Trust

Users are more likely to trust websites that display a secure connection icon (padlock). This trust is crucial for e-commerce sites and any platform requiring user interaction. When users see the padlock icon, they know that their data is being protected, which increases their confidence in the website. This trust can lead to higher engagement, lower bounce rates, and increased conversions.

Complying with Regulations

Many data protection laws, like GDPR, mandate the use of HTTPS to protect user data. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and damage to the organization’s reputation. By implementing HTTPS, businesses can ensure they are meeting regulatory requirements and protecting user data from potential breaches.

Additional Benefits

Using HTTPS can also enable the use of newer web technologies that require secure connections, such as HTTP/2 and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). These technologies can further enhance website performance and user experience. For instance, HTTP/2 can significantly improve loading times by allowing multiple requests to be sent simultaneously over a single connection.

The role of SSL Certificates

SSL certificates are digital certificates that authenticate a website’s identity and enable an encrypted connection. They are critical for implementing HTTPS. SSL certificates are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) and come in various types, including Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV).

Using ClouDNS SSL certificates, website owners can easily secure their sites, ensuring data privacy and boosting user confidence. ClouDNS offers a variety of SSL certificates, including Positive SSL, Positive SSL Wildcard, and EV SSL, to meet different needs. These certificates not only provide robust encryption but also display visual security indicators like the padlock icon and, for EV SSL, the organization’s name in the address bar, enhancing trust and credibility.

Additionally, services like HTTP/HTTPS monitoring help maintain the site’s security and performance by alerting owners to potential issues. Monitoring tools can detect anomalies in traffic patterns, identify potential threats, and ensure that SSL certificates are properly configured and up-to-date. By regularly monitoring HTTP and HTTPS traffic, website owners can proactively address security issues and maintain optimal performance.

SSL/TLS Monitoring Explained

Conclusion

In conclusion, the distinction between HTTP and HTTPS is crucial for ensuring the security of online data. While HTTP transmits data in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception, HTTPS encrypts data, ensuring its confidentiality and integrity. This encryption is vital for protecting sensitive information, maintaining user trust, and complying with regulatory requirements. By implementing HTTPS, website owners can significantly enhance their site’s security, boost user confidence, and improve their overall web performance. Understanding the difference between HTTP vs HTTPS and making the switch to HTTPS is a necessary step for any website looking to thrive in today’s digital landscape.

The post HTTP vs HTTPS: Why every website needs HTTPS today appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.

What is FTP?

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server. It dates back to the early days of the Internet and remains widely used today. It operates on the client-server model, where one computer (the client) establishes a connection with another computer (the server) to exchange files. FTP supports two modes: active mode and passive mode, which determine how data connections are established. It uses separate control and data channels, making it ideal for large file transfers, directory synchronization, and remote file management.

FTP is an old protocol, still from the age without a graphical interface. Abhay Bhushan first published it on 16.04.1971. You can access it through the command-line, or through a modern graphical interface. There are options that integrate it inside programs for web admins.
FTP transfer files by using the TCP. It needs to establish two connections, the data connection on port 20 and the second is control information on port 21.
You can use FTP if you are trying to install WordPress or another CMS on your web hosting. You can also use it to back up your website and download a copy of it to your computer. Less and less, people are using it to transfer files between them. The cloud solutions are making FTP absolute.

What is HTTP?

HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is the foundation of the World Wide Web. It defines how web browsers and web servers communicate and exchange information. HTTP functions through a request-response model, where a client sends a request to a server, and the server responds with the requested data. It operates on the application layer of the TCP/IP protocol suite, making it versatile for various web-related tasks, including browsing, data retrieval, and API interactions.

The creator of it is the famous father of the internet – Tim Berners-Lee. He developed it back in 1989 in CERN. Just like the FTP, HTTP also uses a client-server model. When you use your web browser and type an URL, you will use HTTP over TCP/IP (port 80). That way, you send a HTTP request to get the desired website (text, images, videos and all other kinds of content). The web server will give you back the answer with the desired web page (all files on it).

FTP vs HTTP

Both FTP and HTTP are part of the application layer that combines communication protocols and interface methods. Here we will see how they are different.

• You can use HTTP to view websites and the FTP just for transferring files.
• The client for HTTP is the browser (Chrome, Opera, etc.) and for the FTP is the command-line.
• Both can be used to admin a website, but HTTP is more popular. Just in some cases, the FTP can be more appropriate.
• It is believed that FTP is more efficient for larger files, while HTTP is better for smaller files.
• FTP doesn’t send meta-data, just binary and the HTTP uses pipelining to organize the transfer of multiple files.

Here is a comparison table that illustrates the differences between FTP and HTTP:

Suggested: SFTP vs HTTPS

Choosing the Right Protocol

The choice between FTP and HTTP largely depends on your specific requirements. Additionally, when deciding, it’s important to understand the specific advantages of each protocol.

FTP might be the optimal choice if your primary objective is to transfer files, especially large ones, access remote servers, or perform backups. It handles larger data sizes more efficiently and allows for the resume of transfers in case of interruption. It is ideal for situations like server migrations, backing up large databases, or transferring high volumes of media files.

On the other hand, HTTP is more suitable if you primarily engage in everyday web tasks such as web browsing, downloading smaller files, or interacting with web applications. HTTP is stateless by nature, making it efficient for these types of operations where each new connection doesn’t need knowledge of previous interactions. Additionally, HTTP’s ability to work seamlessly with modern web technologies and its compatibility with various data formats makes it the better choice for web-based applications.

In summary, choose FTP when dealing with extensive file transfers or when working within a network that you control for tasks like backups and server maintenance. Opt for HTTP when you need to interact with web pages or services, especially when performance and compatibility with web standards are critical. That way, you will ensure you leverage the strengths of each protocol based on your specific needs.

Conclusion

FTP vs HTTP is not really a question anymore. The internet has adopted the HTTP standard, and there is going back. FTP is not a bad protocol, but HTTP can do almost everything it can. And the safer version HTTPS is the new must on any page. FTP is starting to have problems with some firewalls because of the port that it is using (some firewalls allow just the ports for HTTP and HTTPS). FTP will soon disappear, and it is ok to let it go.

The post FTP vs HTTP: Understanding the Key Differences appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.

Introduction to TCP and UDP

In the digital communication world, two primary protocols govern data transmission over the internet: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). TCP is renowned for its reliability, establishing a connection before data transfer to ensure all packets are received correctly and in order. This makes it ideal for applications where data integrity is paramount, such as web browsing, email, and secure transactions. On the other hand, UDP offers a connectionless communication model, prioritizing speed and efficiency over reliability. This makes it suitable for applications where fast data transmission is crucial, even at the risk of occasional data loss, such as streaming services, online gaming, and VoIP calls.

Understanding TCP Monitoring

TCP monitoring is a method to ensure that services requiring reliable data transmission are always available and performing optimally. It serves as a diagnostic tool to identify issues in network communication and application performance.

How It Works

TCP monitoring involves scrutinizing the state of TCP connections and the performance of applications using TCP. It includes checking whether a TCP connection can be successfully established on a specified port and monitoring the data transfer’s reliability and efficiency.

Benefits

• Reliability Assurance: Guarantees that applications dependent on TCP are consistently available and data integrity is maintained.
• Performance Optimization: Helps in identifying bottlenecks and improving the speed and efficiency of data transmission.
• Issue Detection and Resolution: Facilitates early detection of network problems, allowing for timely troubleshooting and minimization of downtime.

UDP Monitoring: An Overview

UDP monitoring is a technique used to ensure that applications which do not require reliable data transmission but need high speed and efficiency are running correctly.

How It Works

UDP monitoring checks the availability of services using the UDP protocol by sending packets to a specified port and waiting for a response. Unlike TCP, it does not establish a connection, making the monitoring process less intrusive and faster.

Benefits

• Speed Verification: Confirms that services are performing at the required speed for optimal user experience.
• Service Availability: Ensures that UDP-based services are accessible to users when needed.
• Efficiency Improvement: Helps in detecting inefficiencies and potential disruptions in real-time services.

TCP Monitoring vs UDP Monitoring

While both TCP and UDP monitoring are vital for network health, their applications and focus areas differ significantly:

• Application Sensitivity: TCP monitoring is essential for applications that cannot tolerate data loss, such as web and email services. UDP monitoring, however, is crucial for applications where speed and efficiency are more critical than absolute reliability, such as live video streaming or online gaming.
• Monitoring Focus: TCP monitoring emphasizes connection reliability and order of data delivery, while UDP monitoring targets service availability and performance metrics for applications sensitive to delays.
• Security Considerations: Both protocols require monitoring for security, but the nature of the threats may differ. TCP monitoring often looks for signs of connection hijacking or data tampering, whereas UDP monitoring might focus more on flood attacks or packet spoofing.

The Role of Firewall Monitoring

Within the intricate web of network security practices lies the critical and engaging process known as firewall monitoring. This method meticulously assesses the operational status and effectiveness of firewall configurations, employing TCP and UDP monitoring checks to ensure that specific ports on devices align perfectly with the intended firewall rules and policies.

For example, by deploying a TCP monitoring check to validate the accessibility of port 443, essential for HTTPS traffic, administrators can swiftly be alerted to the service’s status – UP if the port is securely open, confirming that encrypted web services are operational and secure, or DOWN if the port is unexpectedly closed or unresponsive, indicating a critical issue that could compromise secure web access and data integrity.

Suggest page: What HTTP/HTTPS Monitoring is?

This method allows for precise control and verification of firewall functionality, ensuring that only authorized traffic can access the network, thereby significantly enhancing the security posture against potential intrusions or data breaches.

Conclusion

Monitoring TCP and UDP traffic is essential for maintaining network performance, reliability, and security. While TCP monitoring focuses on ensuring data integrity and smooth flow, UDP monitoring is critical for optimizing real-time application performance. Together with firewall monitoring, these practices provide a comprehensive approach to network management, safeguarding against disruptions and threats while ensuring a seamless user experience. As networks evolve, adopting sophisticated monitoring tools and techniques will remain integral to achieving operational excellence and security resilience.

The post Comprehensive Guide on TCP Monitoring vs. UDP Monitoring appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.

What is DNS? Why does it need TLS or HTTPS?

DNS, short for Domain Name System, is a network protocol to translate human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses that computers understand. DNS works just like old phone books, except that a DNS request is sent to the nearest name server to find the requested domain name’s corresponding IP address.

However, the issue is that DNS is an insecure network that can easily be intercepted, which can be a major security risk for users. This is why DNS needs TLS or HTTPS. They are encryption protocols that improve the security of DNS networks. TLS (Transport Layer Security) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) protect data transferred between computers, keeping the data private in case of interception. In addition, encryption ensures that data is not readable to parties not authorized to view it and is less vulnerable to data breaches. In short, TLS and HTTPS provide a much-needed safeguard to DNS requests and make sure that personal data remains safe and secure.

How important is DNS request encryption?

Encrypting DNS requests is essential for data privacy and security. It hides the data associated with the request from malicious actors, preventing them from accessing it. This makes it significantly more difficult for third parties to view, track, or steal the data being transferred over the Internet. In addition, it eliminates the risk of DNS hijacking, which is when a cybercriminal reroutes a user’s web traffic from a legitimate website to a malicious website. In short, encrypting DNS requests helps users protect their data and ensure they browse securely.

DNS over TLS (DoT) – What is it?

DNS over TLS (DoT) is a network protocol security measure designed to provide privacy and data integrity in communication between web browsers and DNS resolvers. It is an extension of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, also known as “SSL”. It is designed to help protect against malicious third parties accessing DNS request data transferred over the Internet in plain text. DoT adds an additional layer of TLS encryption on top of the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is associated with sending DNS queries.

DoT works by sending DNS requests over an encrypted TLS tunnel, adding a layer of security over an existing TLS connection. The data in the request is then encrypted with a unique key unique to the communication session. The DNS request and response are then sent as data packets encrypted and integrity-protected by the TLS protocol. This adds an extra layer of protection, allowing only the intended devices involved in a communication session to access the data. By doing so, DoT helps protect user data and prevents unauthorized third-party access, which can be especially useful when users use shared networks, such as public Wi-Fi. 

Defining DNS over HTTPS (DoH) 

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is an alternative to DNS over TLS (DoT). DoH ensures DNS queries and responses are encrypted, and unlike DoT, it sends them via the HTTP or HTTP/2 protocols. From a network administrator’s perspective, this allows DNS traffic to look more like other HTTPS traffic – such as typical web interactions. Additionally, DoH provides a layer of security since attackers cannot forge or alter DNS traffic.

A key feature of DoH is that it hides the trustworthy source of the DNS requests from ISPs and other third parties monitoring web traffic. This makes it difficult for ISPs and other actors to track and collect data about users’ activities online, providing a layer of privacy for users. Additionally, DoH encrypts the entire DNS response, including the final IP address field, making it virtually impossible for third parties to access or view a user’s data.

So, what is the difference between DNS over TLS vs. DNS over HTTPS?

DNS over TLS and DNS over HTTPS are both secure and encrypted protocols for sending DNS requests over the Internet. The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) has outlined both protocols to provide a safe, reliable way of transferring DNS requests across the Internet.

The main difference is that DNS over TLS establishes the connection over TCP and layers over a secure TLS encryption and authentication protocol. At the same time, DNS over HTTPS uses the HTTPS and HTTP/2 protocol to establish the connection. Due to this difference, DNS over TLS has its own dedicated port, TCP Port 853, while DNS over HTTPS uses the standard HTTPS TCP port 443.

Another difference is the complexity of the encryption used. DoT creates an additional layer of TLS encryption over the underlying UDP used for DNS queries. DoH, on the other hand, uses HTTPS, which is more complex and secure. Additionally, DoH also encrypts the entire DNS response, including the final IP address field. This makes it virtually impossible for third parties to access or view a user’s data. 

Finally, DoT is more widely used than DoH, but DoH is becoming more widely adopted due to its added security layer. DoT relies on DNS resolvers that support the protocol, but DoH can be used with any web browser supporting HTTPS. As more organizations, websites, and browsers adopt DoH, it will become the preferred method for secure DNS communication.

Which is better, DoT or DoH?

The answer to this depends on the company or even each IT security professional’s specific needs. However, there are a few facts that can be pointed out:

• From a network security standpoint, DoT is often preferred because it allows network administrators to monitor and block DNS queries. This helps them identify and stop potential malicious traffic. 
• From a privacy perspective, DoH might be preferable since DNS queries are hidden within the larger flow of HTTPS traffic. This provides users with more privacy but makes it harder for network administrators to block malicious traffic, as doing so would require blocking all other HTTPS traffic as well.

Private DNS server and its relation with DoT and DoH

The aim of Private DNS server is to resolve external DNS queries, such as lookups for Internet web pages or other resources on the web. Therefore, any data sent back and forth between the Private DNS server and the other DNS servers must be secure to prevent any snooping or manipulation of the data. This is where DoT and DoH come in. By using them, the data sent between the Private DNS server and the other DNS servers is encrypted and protected from potential attackers, ensuring the data remains private and tamper-free.

Challenges in implementation DoT and DoH

• Compatibility Issues: Some older systems and applications may not support DoT or DoH, leading to compatibility challenges.
• Configuration Complexity: Properly configuring DoT or DoH can be complex, especially in environments with existing security measures.
• Mixed Content Handling: Websites that load over HTTPS but make DNS requests over unencrypted channels can present challenges in environments where DoT or DoH is enforced.

Guides for setting up DoT and DoH

To enhance your online privacy and security, follow these setup and configuration guidelines on various operating systems:

• Windows: Use the Network Settings to specify a preferred DNS server that supports DoT or DoH. Third-party applications can also enable DoT/DoH on systems where native support is lacking.
• macOS: In Network Preferences, you can configure DNS settings to use servers that support encryption. Several apps are available to automate this process.
• Linux: Depending on the distribution, you can edit the resolv.conf file or use systemd-resolved to configure DoT or DoH.
• Android: Recent versions allow you to specify a Private DNS provider in the network settings, enabling DoT by default.
• iOS: Use a DNS profile or a third-party app to configure DoT or DoH, as iOS does not natively support changing DNS settings directly for cellular networks.

What’s the difference between DoT/DoH and VPNs?

DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) are protocols designed to encrypt DNS queries, providing enhanced privacy and security when resolving domain names to IP addresses. They primarily focus on securing the DNS lookup process and preventing potential eavesdropping or manipulation of DNS traffic.

On the other hand, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) create a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server operated by the VPN provider. This tunnel encrypts all the data passing through it, not just DNS queries. VPNs are used to secure all internet traffic, including web browsing, app usage, and other online activities, from potential interception or monitoring by third parties, such as hackers, government agencies, or Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

In summary, while DoT/DoH focus specifically on encrypting DNS queries to protect against DNS-related threats, VPNs encrypt all internet traffic to provide comprehensive online privacy and security.

Conclusion

With the growing trend of data privacy and the desire for quicker browsing speeds, DoT and DoH add an extra layer of security and speed to your network. Therefore, it’s time to take control of your safety and privacy by making the change – try DoT and DoH and see how they can help make the internet a safer place.

The post Understanding DoT and DoH (DNS over TLS vs. DNS over HTTPS) appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.

What is an SSL Certificate?

SSL means secure socket layer, and it is a cryptographic protocol that provides secure communication between the web browser and the servers of the website. All data that passes is encrypted and private.

When you are getting an SSL certificate, you will need to add some information about your company. This information is then used to create two keys – a public key and private key. Be careful not to lose the private key, because your certificate can’t work without it.

SSL Handshake

When a client tries to connect to your secured site, your server sends your SSL certificate. The browser checks if it is valid, and if everything is okay it makes a symmetric key for the session, using the public key. The server then decrypts the symmetric key with its private key. In the end, the SSL Handshake process is completed, and both the client and the server can encrypt and decrypt data using the session key.

Why is it so important?

Better security means clients who are not afraid of buying. This will increase your sales and improve the confidence in your website. The clients can be sure that their private data such as bank account and what they bought won’t go into “bad hands.”

You will improve your SEO and your rank in Google search results. Since 2014 Google is giving better ranking in their search result to websites, who has an SSL certificate. Google is trying to push website owners to embrace this security measure to build a safer internet for all of us.

How to protect your website with an SSL Certificate?

The process of getting an SSL certificate is not hard. To do so, you will need to buy such a certificate and validate your domain with it. ClouDNS offers two choices:

Positive SSL– has a more attractive price and validates one domain.

Positive SSL Wildcard – validates one domain and unlimited sub-domains. It is a better choice for a more massive site with a lot of sub-domains.

Get the protection that your clients deserve, guarantee they have a safe experience on your site, and the result will come. You will get better positioning in the search results, your clients will have more confidence in you, and you will increase your sales.

The post What is an SSL certificate and do we need it? appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.