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Can VPN prevent DDoS attacks? How does it work?

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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We’ve already agreed thatVPNscan generally prevent a wide range of issues from occurring on your system, but canVPNprevent DDoS? If you’re not exactly tech-savvy, you might not be aware ofDoSand DDoS attacks.

These are not exactly dangerous for the casual Internet user, as they can cause mere interruptions. However, when it comes to large organizations or online-based utility services, these can be downright hazardous.

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What are DoS and DDoS attacks?

DoSstands forDenial of Serviceand it’s exactly what it sounds like. This type of attack is meant to make a machine or entire network shut down by either flooding the target with traffic orcrashingit by sending corrupted information.

Depending on the technology used, aDoS attackcan last temporarily or indefinitely.

A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack operates on the same principle as aDoS attack. However, it’s far more dangerous and efficient since it makes use of multiple systems to deliver huge amounts of traffic.

More often than not, botnets (networks ofcompromiseddevices used in cyberattacks) are used to strike with DDoS attacks. The scary effectiveness of this type of attack comes from the inability of the target to block the source of the traffic.

WithDoS attacks, you can simply locate the incoming source of traffic and use something as simple as a firewall to block it.

Since DDoS attacks use several machines to deliver the traffic, it becomes extremely difficult to defend against them.

Can VPN prevent DDoS attacks?

Essentially, aVPNcan easily protect you against an incomingDDoS attack. For such an attack to occur, the perpetrator needs to know your exact IP address or hostname.

Now if you know a thing or two aboutVPNs, you’re probably aware that aVPNcan hide your real IP address. So, depending on the circumstances, aVPNcan prevent an attacker from getting to know your real IP address.

Thus, aDDoS attackshould become impossible to target you specifically.

For instance, if you’re playing an online game, an attacker might sweep the server in an attempt to reveal the IP addresses of the active players. If you’re not using aVPN, your real IP address will be visible.

While behind a secure connection, yourVPN-assigned IP addresswill appear instead.

Therefore, even if someone were to believe that they’re hitting you with aDDoS attack, they will target theVPN server, instead. You won’t even have to deal with it, so you should be perfectly fine.

Sometimes VPN can’t save you from DDoS

We’ve made it pretty clear that aVPNcan be a lifesaver when it comes toDoSand DDoS attacks. However, theVPNcan only protect you in terms of shielding yourIP address, making it invisible to whoever might want to use it in such an attack.

So, if someone figures out your real IP address, you can still be targeted by aDDoS attack, even if you’re behind aVPN.

There’s no way aVPNcould protect you from aDoSorDDoS attackif the perpetrator gets to know your real IP address. You can find a bunch ofDDoS protection software solutions, but these only tend to work for websites.

What’s the best VPN to prevent DDoS attacks?

If you’re worried that your public IP address might be used in aDDoS attack, you can rely on a trustworthyVPNservice such asPrivate Internet Access.

PIA is brought to you by Kape Technologies and provides you with a wide range of security and privacy features, a large network of servers, and malware-blocking capabilities, not to mention the 24/7 customer support.

Private Internet Access

If you want the optimal amount of DDoS protection from PIA, you might want tokeep the VPN always on, regardless of your online activity of choice.

More so, make sure to enable the kill switch. Doing so will prevent your PC from re-establishing the default, insecure connection whenever your secureVPNconnection drops.

VPN can prevent DDoS attacks most of the time

All things considered, it’s easy to fend offDoSand DDoS attacks with aVPN, just as long as you remember thatVPNsdon’t actually block the attack.

Instead, they cloak your IP so that the attacker won’t be able to pinpoint you in a sea of IP addresses and use your address as a target for their attacks.

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Can VPN prevent DDoS attacks? How does it work?#

What are DoS and DDoS attacks?#

Can VPN prevent DDoS attacks?#

Sometimes VPN can’t save you from DDoS#

What’s the best VPN to prevent DDoS attacks?#

Private Internet Access#

VPN can prevent DDoS attacks most of the time#