How to Protect Ourselves from DDoS Attacks on Mobile Apps

What is a DDoS attack?

DDoS is short for Distributed Denial of Service attack. It is a style of cyber-attack in which a large group of devices or computers are injected with malware. This malware acts as a network of bots and attacks a server of a targeted website. By overloading the resources of the server, the DDoS attack renders it unusable. Not just websites can be victims of DDoS attacks, mobile apps are at risk of DDoS attacks too. Apps like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Uber are all potentially vulnerable to DDoS attacks.

How to protect ourselves from DDoS-style attacks?

In most cases, it's better to act than react. In other words, it's better to take preventive measures earlier than to try to heal an infection later. The first step you need to take is educating yourself about the threat and learning how to defend against it. This article will help you with that by outlining a few basic, but essential steps you can take to protect yourself from DDoS attacks.

Download your apps from secure websites

This is one of the most basic tips I can give you. Download content from reputable sites only. Never use third party sites for downloading apps if you can help it. Download a phone security app for your smartphone so that you can properly defend yourself from malware.

Install apps from reputable developers

Although the Google Play Store is relatively secure, malware can sometimes find their way inside. This happens very seldom, but it is best to be vigilant. Because of this, it's wise to install apps from verified developers only. Don't install apps look like clones of other popular apps. Avoid downloading and installing apps that you don't need.

Read reviews before installing anything on your phone

Always check the reviews and ratings of an app before you download it. Both reviews and ratings can sum up the ups and downs of an app. More importantly, if the app contains malware, it's very likely that the reviews will mention it. Skimming the reviews for a couple of minutes can save you hours of headache later.

Keep your OS and apps up to date

We're all guilty of pressing the "later" button when an update alert pops up on our phone screens. While it can be annoying, skipping the update is almost always a bad idea. Phone manufacturers and app developers work with security companies on combating the latest malware threats all the time. Any newly discovered vulnerabilities and new security measures added are given to you through these updates. Therefore, they are vital.

Use anti-virus software

Just like with computers smartphones have numerous options for anti-virus apps. Download a trusted anti-virus app on your phone so that it can defend you from DDoS and other malware attacks. Remember to run regular scans on your apps. You can set up automatic scans that do their thing in the background.

Carefully select a security provider

This is a preventive measure for companies, not individuals in most cases. A normal person needs an anti-malware app on their device to protect their apps from DDoS attacks and other malware infections. Companies and enterprises work on a larger scale, however, and they need to use a mobile app security solution provider. These security service providers are especially dedicated to meeting your mobile security needs. Much like with apps themselves, you need to do your homework before selecting a security provider. Read reviews and audits before making your choice.