Layer 4 vs Layer 7 DDoS attacks explained
Layer 4 targets transport, Layer 7 targets the application. Defense differs for each.
Layer 4 targets transport, Layer 7 targets the application. Defense differs for each.
Layer 4 attacks are often volumetric. Examples include SYN floods, UDP floods, or amplification.
The goal is to exhaust bandwidth or connection resources.
Layer 7 attacks simulate legitimate requests, such as HTTP floods or slowloris.
They are harder to detect because traffic can look like real users.
Layer 4 attacks are often filtered or scrubbed at the network edge.
Layer 7 defense uses WAFs, rate limits, caching, and behavior analysis.
Game servers often face Layer 4 attacks, while web apps are more exposed to Layer 7 traffic.
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