DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks represent one of the most persistent and devastating threats to any online business. In the case of e-commerce, where website availability is directly proportional to revenue, such an attack can result in financial losses, service interruptions, a poor user experience, and even damage to brand reputation.
In light of this reality, having a robust DDoS mitigation strategy and specialized perimeter security services is no longer an option but a necessity. Tools like Cloudflare, Stackscale CDN, Fastly, and Transparent Edge have become key components within the protection ecosystem for modern e-commerce.
Most Common Types of DDoS Attacks
Online stores, especially those based on platforms like Magento, WordPress with WooCommerce, or PrestaShop, can be targets of various attack modes:
- Volumetric Attacks: aim to saturate bandwidth with large amounts of traffic, often using techniques like DNS amplification.
- Transport Layer (L4) Attacks: exhaust network and infrastructure resources through SYN, UDP floods, etc.
- Application Layer (L7) Attacks: simulate legitimate traffic to overwhelm critical endpoints like the login page or checkout.
- Low-frequency or Slowloris Attacks: stealthily keep connections open to exhaust server threads.
The key is to stop this malicious traffic before it reaches the core infrastructure, preventing the web server or database from collapsing.
Recommended Defense and Mitigation Platforms
1. Cloudflare
Cloudflare is one of the most recognized solutions in DDoS mitigation and web security. Its global network, with over 100 Tbps of capacity, can absorb large-scale attacks without impacting performance.
Among its features, the following stand out:
- Automatic and unlimited DDoS Protection in all its plans.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) with customized rules and sets optimized for e-commerce.
- Bot Management that distinguishes between legitimate and malicious bots using artificial intelligence.
- API Shield to protect API endpoints.
- Rate Limiting to control abuse on routes like /admin or /checkout.
2. Stackscale CDN
Stackscale, a European provider of cloud and bare-metal infrastructure, offers its own CDN designed to optimize both performance and security. Its integration with data centers in Madrid, Amsterdam, and other strategic points in Europe allows for:
- Advanced filtering of malicious traffic before it reaches the backend.
- Reduced latency through geographically distributed nodes.
- Resource optimization on the server by avoiding the loading of unnecessary static content during attacks.
According to David Carrero Fernández-Baillo, co-founder of Stackscale (Grupo Aire), “protecting the availability of an e-commerce is not just about absorbing traffic; it’s about designing a distributed, resilient architecture adapted to demanding environments like online retail.”
3. Fastly
Fastly has established itself as a CDN and edge platform focused on large enterprises and media companies. Its advantages for e-commerce include:
- Real-time traffic inspection.
- Custom security and caching rules.
- DDoS protection with automatic mitigation based on request behavior.
Its approach based on Varnish Configuration Language (VCL) allows for unparalleled technical granularity in traffic management.
4. Transparent Edge
This Spanish CDN offers a specialized solution for digital media, e-commerce, and OTT services. Its mitigation capabilities include:
- Protection against layer 3, 4, and 7 attacks.
- Native integration with European cloud providers and local ISP networks.
- Real-time visibility of traffic and its patterns for proactive decision-making.
Reduced latency and a focus on geographical proximity make Transparent Edge a standout option for e-commerce with high demand in the Iberian Peninsula.
Technical Recommendations to Mitigate DDoS Attacks
- Implement a WAF (Web Application Firewall) that filters malicious traffic at layer 7.
- Use Rate Limiting to control abuse on sensitive endpoints.
- Protect APIs with schema validation and robust authentication.
- Activate automatic mitigation systems at the edge, reducing the impact before reaching the server.
- Distribute static content across CDNs that absorb and decouple traffic from critical applications.
Conclusion
A modern e-commerce site must be prepared to handle both spikes of legitimate traffic and external threats. Implementing solutions like Cloudflare, Stackscale CDN, Fastly, or Transparent Edge can help maintain business continuity, deliver a seamless user experience, and avoid losses due to unavailability.
As David Carrero points out, “security is no longer an extra for e-commerce: it’s the foundation upon which trust and long-term growth are built.”
Having a solid anti-DDoS strategy, combined with analysis tools, API protection, and bot management, is key to ensuring your e-commerce continues to operate even under the most adverse conditions.