Adopt 'best practices' to protect e-commerce sites against 'denial of service' attacks

THE THREAT of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on e-commerce websites is highest in the final quarter of the year (Q4), according to online security group Prolexic, so they have outlined some vital precautions.

US-based Prolexic specialises in handling DDoS attacks and has released a number of best practices that firms operating e-commerce websites can implement to reduce the impact of cyber attacks.

In a new Executive Series white paper, Safeguarding e-Commerce Revenues from DDoS Attacks in Q4, Prolexic advises online retailers to be on high alert for DDoS attacks in Q4.

Extended site downtime and the resulting inability to make sales and process online orders during the Christmas holiday shopping period, including what have become known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, can significantly jeopardize Q4 revenues for 'e-tailers', according to Prolexic.

Prolexic expects DDoS attacks against e-commerce sites to increase in size and intensity this fourth quarter, based on previous attack events noted in the company's Q4 2012 Quarterly Global DDoS Attack Report.

In the fourth quarter of last year, the most active quarter, Prolexic mitigated attacks that reached more than 50 Gbps directed against clients in e-commerce, financial services and sotware as a service (SaaS) markets.

The average attack duration was 32.2 hours, a crippling duration in e-commerce.

"Past experience shows that online retailers must take seriously the increased threat of DDoS and other cyber-attacks during the holiday shopping season," Prolexic president Stuart Scholly said.

"Online shoppers have many options, and if they can't readily conduct business with you, they will quickly turn to competitors instead.

"This white paper offers insight about the current DDoS threat landscape and provides a clear blueprint for building a stronger DDoS defence, so you can avoid downtime and support sales."

The Executive Series white paper addresses the escalating cyber threats targeting e-commerce sites and recommends best practices for protecting online retailers against loss of sales and revenue, damaged brand reputation, and reduced customer confidence due to DDoS.

Prolexic also reveals key warning signs that a website could be targeted for a denial of service attack and concludes with best practice recommendations for making DDoS mitigation a part of a disaster recovery plan.

The white paper also provides a link to PLXplanner, Prolexic's free, online DDoS protection and planning tool. PLXplanner helps e-commerce sites understand their vulnerabilities for a denial of service attack, as well as provides recommendations on how to strengthen their DDoS defence.

PLXplanner is available at www.prolexic.com/plxplanner

The white paper is available to the public at www.prolexic.com/safeguarding

www.prolexic.com

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