Understanding Slowloris Attack How to Protect Your Website from Stealthy Assaults

In the vast realm of cybersecurity threats, there exists a class of attacks known as Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, which aim to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted system or network. Among these, the Slowloris attack stands out for its stealthy nature and effectiveness. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of the Slowloris attack, understand how it operates, and explore measures to mitigate its impact.

What is Slowloris Attack?

Slowloris is a type of HTTP-based DoS attack designed to overwhelm web servers by keeping multiple connections open for a prolonged period. Unlike traditional DoS attacks that flood servers with a high volume of traffic, Slowloris operates more subtly, exploiting the way web servers handle concurrent connections.

How Does Slowloris Work?

The Slowloris attack works by initiating multiple connections to a target web server but sending HTTP headers at an extremely slow rate. By doing so, the attacker consumes all available connection slots on the server, preventing legitimate users from establishing new connections. This effectively denies service to legitimate users without the need for a massive volume of traffic.