What is a DDoS attack and what are the worst denial of service hacks we know about?

POWERFUL hackers can use DDoS attacks to infiltrate computer systems, even when they’re turned off.

The malicious technology trick is pulled off by cyber criminals who have been able to take some of the most-used websites offline, including Spotify and Paypal.

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DDoS, an abbreviation for the distributed denial of service, has been the cause of a number of networking problems, which even sent PlayStation and Xbox live down on Christmas day in 2014.

But how do denial of service attacks occur and what are the impacts?

How do DDoS attacks happen?

After computers are lost to hackers, the high-tech tricksters are able to use them to stall some of the biggest global websites.

These devices are often taken over after a user experiences a virus or their personal details and login information is stolen.

By manipulating these hacked systems, which are known as botnets, they can flood websites with illegitimate page view requests.

As the web page becomes inundated with clicks from compromised computers, regular internet users are blocked from getting through.

Is your computer affected?

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Worryingly, any computer can fall victim to hackers and be added to a botnet.

Any users that click on malware-infested links, downloads or adverts are vulnerable to being hacked.

It’s always important to protect your device with antivirus software and to update this software regularly.

Laptops or computers that haven’t got this defence mechanism in place are more vulnerable to hackers.

If you believe your system may have been compromised, install some anti-virus service immediately and run a scan to remove any malicious material.

What do hackers get out of carrying out these DDoS hacks?

For some tech geeks, the thought of bringing down some of the world’s most prolific companies and websites is enough to encourage an online attack.

Earlier this year, Mark James from cyber security firm ESET explained why hackers were taking down popular websites.

He said: “DDoS seems to be more widely used these days to cause disruption and nuisance.

"DDoS, of course, may not only be used to make a statement or bring voice to your protests, it may and has on many occasions been used as a smokescreen to cover other nefarious purposes, which may include data theft or malware infection.

"We all need our daily fix of the digital programs that are so intertwined into our daily lives and when those services are down we tend to get a little edgy."

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While some cyber criminals do it for the prestige, others hope to financially gain from the operation.

In some instances, blackmailers tell websites that they have to pay them money if they want to stay online.

This can be particularly infuriating for sites that need to stay up and running for business reasons.

Staggeringly, for every hour a website is down, business can suffer a loss of business of up to £32,000.

Last year, DDoS was used to take down Ashley Madison, a website which encouraged married people to have affairs.

After the site was compromised, the ‘super hacker’ group exposed the details of millions of bed-hopping marriage wreckers.

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