Ping of Death Attack: What Is It & How to Prevent It

July 29, 2024 By Nancy William No Comments 6 minutes

What is a Ping of Death attack? What can occur during a ping-of-death attack? How do you prevent it? In short, during a ping-of-death attack, a single machine sends an abnormally large ping data packet to the target system, causing the targeted PC to crash. In some rare cases, this attack grants hackers unauthorized access to the compromised computer, allowing them to execute malicious malware.

NOTE – PoD attacks or any DDoS attacks can be slowed down with extra security protection on your devices. Consider using FastestVPN on your device and connect to the best server. This helps encrypt your connection, preventing online attacks. 

A “ping” is an Internet Protocol network command to determine whether a host is online and reachable. Initially viewed as a legacy technique, there was a belief that staying updated with current software would ensure safety. 

However, hackers have revived and modified this method, presenting new versions of the attack as late as 2020, when 69% of big enterprises saw an increase in DDoS assaults. While Ping of Death only seems like reading a past chapter, the same approach can still be used. I’ll highlight some methods on how to prevent it or lower the rates. 

What is Ping of Death Attack?

A Ping of Death attack is a kind of DoS attack (Denial-of-Service attack) that overwhelms a computer with oversized data packets, causing it to crash. While this method was once common, it’s less frequent now. A similar attack, the ICMP flood, is more commonly used today to disrupt systems.

Ping of Death Attack Origin

The initial occurrences of death ping assaults took place during the 1990s and early 2000s. Subsequently, developers addressed the concerns by updating the code, leading most users to believe the threat had been mitigated.

However, in 2013, the attack resurfaced, prompting users of Internet Explorer PCs to download fixes to safeguard their systems from vulnerability and crashes. Microsoft responded promptly by issuing 19 fixes in a single day.

The ping of death came back in October 2020, prompting Microsoft to provide fixes to users once again to eliminate the risk and enhance security. Media outlets also raised awareness about the threat, cautioning users that hackers could exploit this attack to gain control of their devices and execute malicious programs.

It is crucial to note that the ping of death seldom targets large entities like servers. Instead, it aims to disable specific computers and devices, leading to issues like the infamous “blue screen of death” or rendering smartphones non-functional.

This technique threatens any internet-connected device, including IoT devices like smart refrigerators. And considering the expand of IoT, the cyber security market is expected to approach 650 billion US dollars by 2030.

How Does Ping of Death Attack Work?

A Ping of Death (PoD) attack is a cyberattack that exploits a weakness in how computers handle large network packets. By sending abnormally large or corrupted ICMP packets, attackers can cause target systems to crash or malfunction. Here is the process of how it works: 

Ping Command

A ping command or just ping is a network tool that checks connections between devices. It works like sonar, sending out a signal and waiting for a response. This helps engineers understand network performance. However, there’s a limit to the size of these signals; they can’t be larger than 65,535 bytes.

Manipulating a Ping to a Ping of Death Attack Command

Attackers create Ping of Death attacks by modifying the ping command to send abnormally large network packets. They use programming to send multiple packets exceeding the maximum allowed size, causing the target computer to crash when reassembling the oversized data.

Invading Vulnerabilities

Sending oversized packets (larger than 65,535 bytes) breaks IP rules. To get around this, attackers split large packets into smaller pieces. When the target computer tries to combine these pieces, it creates an oversized packet that crashes the system.

How Do You Prevent Ping of Death Attacks?

Here are a few ways to prevent PoD attacks: : 

Use an Efficient VPN

A reliable VPN, like FastestVPN, helps mitigate DDoS attacks by hiding your IP address. Your Internet Protocol address is the main hint for hackers; by connecting to a different server, such as the US server, you can effortlessly disguise your original location in no time. 

Doing so won’t leak your address, and black hats can never intercept the network. Meanwhile, all your online activities are almost intractable, thanks to military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and other exclusive features on FastestVPN.

Check Ups On Data Packet Sizes

Another way to lower PoD attacks is by inspecting the size of incoming network packet fragments. This way, systems can prevent buffer overflows and errors that occur when packets are reassembled incorrectly. Discarding oversized packets is a key strategy to mitigate the risks associated with Ping of Death attacks.

Block ICMP

Network firewalls can be configured to act as a defensive measure against Ping of Death attacks by blocking all incoming ICMP packets. This approach effectively prevents malicious ping messages from reaching vulnerable systems. However, it’s important to note that this blanket restriction can also impede legitimate network troubleshooting activities that rely on ICMP ping responses. As a result, organizations often need to carefully balance security needs with the practical requirements of network management.

Patch Up Operating Systems

Software developers have released updates to operating systems and network equipment to improve how they handle fragmented network data. These updates make it harder for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities and launch successful Ping of Death attacks. Always keep your OS up-to-date with the latest patches, it’s crucial for protection.

Adjust MTU on Networks

Network administrators can reduce the risk of Ping of Death attacks by adjusting the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size. By lowering the MTU, there’s less need to split data into smaller packets, making it harder for attackers to create oversized packets.

IDS

Intrusion Detection Systems or IDS can be used to identify and block Ping of Death attacks. By monitoring network and system activity, IDS can detect abnormal packet fragmentation and oversized ICMP packets, which are common characteristics of these attacks. Specific patterns, or signatures, of Ping of Death attacks can also be used to identify and prevent them.

FAQs – Ping of Death Attack

Wrapping Up

Although the Ping of Death attack gained massive traction during the ’90s, it’s only a talk of the past today. But history teaches and trains excellent minds. That said, you can still expect this DDoS attack approach to be used for data theft. 

A great way to mitigate this attack is using a trusted VPN, like FastestVPN. By spoofing your IP address and using premium protocols, like the WireGuard, this has to be your best bet!

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