The best DDoS-protected dedicated server providers
DDoS attacks have become more sophisticated and powerful over time. And although most attacks only last a short time, those lasting longer than three hours have increased by 103% quarter-on-quarter.
If you're running a business online, the threat of a DDoS attack isn't just a possibility; it's almost a certainty at some point.
One of the best things you can do to protect your website is to invest in a dedicated server with top-notch DDoS protection.
These servers not only provide you with the raw power and performance your website needs but also come with layers of security features meant to stop even the most determined attackers.
Read on to learn more about the best dedicated server providers with DDoS protection for your website.
What is a DDoS attack and how does it work?
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) is a cyberattack aimed at disrupting the normal operation of a specific server or network. Hackers use their computers to overload the server with illegitimate traffic, like fake requests. That overwhelms the system, leading to disruptions or even complete denial of service for genuine users.
We call this a Denial of Service attack (DoS) if it originates from just one source. But if it comes from multiple sources, it’s a DDoS attack. Most servers can easily handle DoS attacks because they can find and block the source. The real challenge is when it’s a DDoS attack.
Instead of fending off one hacker, the server must deal with multiple threats simultaneously. That eventually strains its resources, like CPU and memory, and consumes network bandwidth. As a result, genuine users find the web pages they're trying to access either unresponsive or painfully slow.
Why is DDoS protection important for dedicated servers?
Unlike shared hosting or cloud environments where resources are distributed, a dedicated server is a standalone entity. If a DDoS attack overwhelms it, all the services and applications running on that server are at risk. There's no backup to take over.
Also, once a dedicated server is offline due to a DDoS attack, it can lead to significant financial losses, to say nothing of the potential loss of customer trust and damage to your brand's reputation.
While the primary goal of DDoS attacks is to cause disruption, they can also be a smokescreen for more sinister activities. For instance, while the server's resources are overwhelmed, hackers might exploit other vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or steal customer data.
What features should you look for in a DDoS-protected dedicated server provider?
When faced with a DDoS attack, you need a reliable hosting provider to bail you out quickly. So, choose a DDoS-protected dedicated server provider with the following features.
Real-time monitoring of all network traffic
Monitoring all network traffic (not just the web traffic) in real time allows the hosting provider to proactively identify attacks before they reach any of your infrastructure's critical layers.
This early detection enables them to mitigate potential DDoS attacks before they get worse and cause significant damage.
24/7/365 technical support
Cyberattacks, including DDoS, don't operate on a 9-to-5 schedule. They can happen at any hour of the day and any day of the year. Having technical support available around the clock ensures a team is ready to deal with the attack, regardless of when it happens.
Also, time is always of the essence when a DDoS attack happens. The longer it takes to address the issue, the more damage it can cause. Having 24/7/365 support means a team is always ready to act whenever they detect an attack, minimizing potential downtime and financial loss.
Integration with content delivery networks (like Cloudflare)
While Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) are best known for making websites load faster by serving content from the nearest server to the user, this proximity also plays a crucial role in DDoS defense.
By filtering out malicious traffic closer to its source, CDNs can prevent it from reaching the main server, ensuring optimal performance even during an attack. For example, Cloudflare’s vast network acts as a buffer to protect your website by taking the hit and automatically dropping malicious traffic.
Top DDoS-protected dedicated server providers
We've researched the features of each dedicated server hosting provider with DDoS protection, so you don't have to.
To make your decision-making process much easier, here are four of the best hosting providers that offer dedicated servers with DDoS protection.
1. Liquid Web
Liquid Web is your ideal solution if you're looking for dedicated servers that give you complete control of the security infrastructure so your data remains uncompromised.
The platform offers free, basic DDoS protection for Dedicated, VPS, and Cloud servers, which mitigates attacks that range from 250 Mbps to 2 Gbps in size. You can also choose advanced and premium DDoS protection services to stop more sophisticated attacks.
Moreover, you can easily add Cloudflare to your Liquid Web account for optimal DDoS protection. With a 24/7/365 customer support team that responds in under a minute, you're guaranteed DDoS mitigation and other support services at all times.
Key features:
- Guaranteed 100% network uptime.
- Real-time monitoring.
- 24/7/365 customer support.
- ServerSecure advanced security.
- CloudFlare CDN to speed up your website and for optimal DDoS protection.
- Dedicated IP address.
- Business-grade SSD storage.
- Root-level access for unrestricted management.
Pricing: Plans start at $199/month.
2. InterServer
InterServer is another web hosting service that includes DDoS protection on its hosting packages. But unlike Liquid Web, it only offers protection on its Dedicated and VPS servers.
The good thing is that its security features can handle attacks of any size and keep your business running even when under threat.
Key features:
- 24/7 uptime monitoring.
- Automatically detects and blocks HTTP floods, SYN floods, ICMP (ping) floods, NTP Amplification, and UDP floods.
- Remote reboots.
- Remote OS Reinstall.
- IPMI or iLo Access.
Pricing: Plans start at $70/month.
3. InMotion Hosting
Inmotion Hosting offers fully managed dedicated servers powered by cPanel with data centers in the U.S. and E.U.
The platform has Corero DDoS protection and auto-updates to protect your website from malware and attacks. It also provides free SSL certificates, a custom firewall, and a multi-layer defense to further defend your business from hackers.
Key features:
- Automatic updates and security patches.
- 99.99% uptime Tier 1 network.
- Superior anti-DDoS protection.
- Dedicated server experts available 24/7/365.
- Hack and malware protection.
Pricing: Plans start at $89.99/month.
4. A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting offers managed and unmanaged dedicated servers with DDoS protection for all its accounts. However, unlike Liquid Web, the company doesn't guarantee your website will stay online during a DDoS attack.
Other than that, the web host offers security features such as a network firewall, brute force defense, and virus scanning to protect your website from malicious threats.
Key features:
- 24/7/365 Guru Crew support.
- Root access available.
- Managed server security.
- 99.9% uptime guarantee.
- Ultra-fast NVMe storage options.
Pricing: Paid plans for managed dedicated hosting start at $155.99/month. Unmanaged dedicated hosting starts at $105.99/month.
Final thoughts
No business is entirely immune from a DDoS attack. And while you can’t stop hackers from going after your website, you can protect your business with a quality DDoS mitigation add-on from Liquid Web.
But it's not just about the DDoS mitigation feature; it's also about the people behind it. With Liquid Web, you’re in the company of The Most Helpful Humans In Hosting who ensure you get the best support in the shortest time possible.
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