Your IP address is your virtual fingerprint, and when it falls into the wrong hands, it can be used to carry out all sorts of malicious activities. This includes phishing, malware infections, cyber attacks, and more.

The good news is that there are several tools you can use to detect these kinds of attacks. These include packet filtering, network monitoring, and more.

DDoS attacks

So, what attacks are detected by an IPS? A DDoS attack is a cyberattack that targets an Internet-based service. These attacks can overload a network and make it impossible to use the service. DDoS attacks are most commonly directed at websites but can also affect other services, such as cloud providers and critical industrial control systems.

While traditional DoS attacks were conducted using a single attacking system, today’s attackers can enlist thousands of Internet users to generate small traffic bursts that add up to a sizeable volumetric attack. These participants may be willing accomplices (for example, in attacks initiated by loosely organized illegal “hacktivist” groups) or unwitting victims whose devices have been infected with malware.

DDoS attacks can be short or long-lived, depending on the attacker’s motives. For example, a business might be hit by DDoS to damage its reputation or discourage customers from buying products or services. Others are carried out for financial gain, such as extortion or blackmail.

If you suspect your website or other online services are being attacked, a DDoS monitoring tool can help detect the issue. By setting up alerts based on thresholds, you can get a quick response when an unusual amount of traffic is seen. Ensure that your team has clearly defined responsibilities so that they know what to do when an attack happens.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

A man-in-the-middle attack (MiTM) occurs when a hacker intercepts communications between two parties and can either steal or alter the data. This attack can be used to spy on a victim, steal account credentials, and make fraudulent transactions. It can also be used to hijack a connection, so it’s essential to use secure connections like those provided by VPN services.

MiTM attacks are usually carried out by spoofing or impersonating a trusted entity. To do this, they use a combination of MAC address and IP spoofing to trick the network into associating them with other devices in the local area. MAC spoofing involves sending false MAC addresses over a Wi-Fi network to confuse the network’s device mapping table. In contrast, IP spoofing consists of changing the source IP address of packets.

The attack can also be carried out through DNS spoofing, whereby a malicious actor manipulates DNS cache records to send traffic to a fake website that looks identical to the original one. This can redirect visitors to malicious websites, such as phishing sites.

Many cyber attackers use MITM attacks to steal sensitive information from users. In some cases, attackers may even sell this data on the Dark Web or use it to launch distributed denial of service attacks against servers. This can seriously threaten businesses, which are often required to provide multiple forms of authentication.

IP spoofing

Each computer and server on your network has a unique identifier called an IP address. Malicious actors can steal data and gain access to your system by spoofing the source IP address in packets. IP spoofing happens at the network level, making it difficult to detect and block. Hackers use spoofed IP addresses to impersonate other devices and networks, launch DDoS attacks or Man-in-the-Middle attacks, and bypass firewalls.

A common spoofing technique involves changing the source address in the packet header. This makes the packet look like it is coming from a trusted device within your network, and hackers can then request sensitive information from the victim. Attackers can also use a tool that randomly changes the source IP address to avoid detection.

Another way attackers use spoofed IP addresses is to hide behind botnets. Botnets are networks of infected computers that a malicious actor controls remotely to carry out attacks such as spam assaults, DDoS attacks, ad fraud, and ransomware attacks. Attackers can mask their identity by using spoofed IP addresses to communicate with the botnet and gain computer control.

To protect your network from spoofing attacks, you can use filters to examine the headers of all incoming and outgoing packets. If the titles are suspicious or conflict with each other, you can reject them. You can also install systems that monitor the activity of your servers and firewall equipment to identify any unusual patterns or vulnerabilities.

Network monitoring tools

Network monitoring tools are software solutions designed to oversee, control, and uphold the performance, accessibility, and health of computer networks. These tools collect and analyze data related to network devices and their connections, including IP addresses. They can also help IT teams quickly identify and troubleshoot issues, resulting in a more stable and efficient run network.

When selecting a network monitoring tool, look for one with extensive features and capabilities. It should be able to detect and diagnose problems, such as connectivity errors, network traffic congestion, bandwidth utilization, and slowdowns. Additionally, it should be able to identify security threats and alert you when suspicious activity occurs.

Another essential feature to consider when choosing a network monitoring tool is its ability to track IP addresses. This is particularly helpful in identifying potential malicious activities and the location of an attack. In addition, an IT team can use this information to determine if a network connection is being used by a malicious actor or by a business application.

A good network monitoring tool should offer many IP address detection methods. It should also provide a scalable architecture and support distributed monitoring, which can help you reduce costs and improve visibility into remote sites. Finally, it should be compatible with existing IT systems and technologies to simplify integration and data exchange.