Protecting Your Website & Servers from DDoS Attacks: A Complete Guide

A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is one of the biggest threats to websites and cloud servers. The goal of this attack is to disable your website by overwhelming it with a massive number of requests until the server can no longer handle them.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to identify, prepare for, and protect your website and cloud servers from DDoS attacks.
 
What is a DDoS Attack and Why is it Dangerous?
 
A DDoS attack is designed to overload servers and websites using thousands of compromised computers (Botnet) that generate abnormal traffic to your site.
 
Potential damages include:
 
Website or service downtime.
Revenue loss due to site unavailability.
Severe damage to reputation and business credibility.
 
How to Identify a DDoS Attack?
 
Common signs of an attack:
The website becomes extremely slow or completely unavailable.
Unexplained spikes in server resource usage (CPU, RAM, bandwidth).
Sudden high traffic from multiple IP addresses simultaneously.
 
How to Protect Your Website & Server from DDoS?
 
Here are simple and effective steps you can take:
 
1. Use the Built-in OMC Firewall
The free firewall in the OMC cloud management interface allows you to:
Quickly block IP addresses or entire ranges.
Set automatic rules to block abnormal traffic in real time.
 
2. Implement an Advanced Dedicated Firewall (Recommended!)
 
For enhanced protection, consider using a dedicated firewall, such as:
FortiGate (by Fortinet)
Sophos XG (by Sophos)
Palo Alto Networks
CheckPoint
A dedicated firewall automatically detects attacks, analyzes traffic in real time, and performs advanced automated blocking to prevent harm.
 
Benefits of a dedicated firewall:
 
Enterprise-level protection.
Real-time detection & blocking of malicious traffic.
 Smart & proactive cybersecurity management.
 
3. Use a CDN & Cloud-Based DDoS Protection (e.g., Cloudflare)
 
A CDN like Cloudflare provides advanced security features:
Filters out most malicious traffic before it reaches your server.
Includes free SSL certificates, an advanced firewall, and suspicious connection limits.
 
4. Monitor & Detect Attacks Early
Use OMC’s built-in monitoring tools for early detection.
Set up traffic anomaly alerts to take immediate action.
 
5. Change Default Ports for Critical Services
 
Modify standard ports (e.g., SSH, RDP) to custom ports to reduce targeted attacks.
 
6. Use VPN for Enhanced Security
 
Restrict access to your servers only via VPN, preventing unauthorized access.
 
7. Scale Up Resources in Emergency Situations
 
OMC Cloud allows you to quickly scale up resources, so your server can withstand short or sudden attacks until the issue is resolved.
 
What to Do During an Active DDoS Attack?
 
✔ Enable the firewall immediately in the cloud interface.
✔ Block problematic IP addresses.
✔ Increase server resources if needed.
✔ Contact OMC support for additional assistance.
 
Additional DDoS Protection Tips:
 
Keep all systems updated at all times.
Use a managed & secure DNS service (e.g., Cloudflare DNS).
Regularly back up your data for quick recovery if needed.
 
Conclusion – DDoS Protection is a Must for Every Business
 
DDoS attacks pose a real threat to any cloud-based business. Proper use of security tools—such as OMC’s free firewall, advanced dedicated firewalls (FortiGate, Sophos, etc.), and CDN services—will ensure that your business remains secure and operational.
If you need further assistance or are dealing with an ongoing attack, our support team is always available to help you.