| Since the book is intended for a variety of readers, we divided its content into chapters with different difficulty levels (denoted in italics next to chapter names in the overview below). Chapters marked nontechnical are intended for readers who do not have extensive knowledge of networking and security and who are seeking a gradual introduction to DDoS. These readers may wish to read only the nontechnical chapters. Chapters marked technical are for those readers who are familiar with networking operations, such as system administrators, and who are looking for a quick reference to specific DDoS issues or for a fast technical overview of the problems and potential solutions. These readers may wish to read only the technical chapters. There is also a chapter that bears a nontechnical/technical mark. This chapter has a blend of material that contains both technical and nontechnical items. Both of the above groups should read this chapter. Finally, readers who are specifically seeking to learn about DDoS in order to work in this field in the future, such as students and teachers, will find it useful to read the book from cover to cover, as nontechnical chapters set the stage for technical ones. Chapter 2: Understanding Denial of Service. (Nontechnical/technical level) This chapter explains the DDoS phenomenon and illustrates the scope and seriousness of the problem. Chapter 3: History of DoS and DDoS. (Nontechnical level) This chapter recounts how and when DoS attacks came about, how they evolved into DDoS attacks, what is behind the DDoS problem, and what aspects of Internet design and management are especially related to this problem. Chapter 4: How Attacks Are Waged. (Technical level) This chapter gives a detailed description of the "modus operandi" of a DDoS attack and discusses different DDoS variants. Chapter 5: An Overview of DDoS Defenses. (Nontechnical level) This chapter discusses the challenges that DDoS defense is facing. It also discusses different approaches to design a DoS or DDoS defense, and presents some key ideas, found both in research and commercial solutions. These ideas are building blocks of current defenses. Chapter 6: Detailed Defense Approaches. (Technical level) This chapter explains practical approaches to strengthen your network and make it resist and recover from DDoS attacks. It discusses how to analyze DDoS incidents and gather detailed information that will help respond to the attack and, later, take legal action against perpetrators. Chapter 7: Survey of Research Defense Approaches. (Technical level) This chapter gives an overview of many research approaches to DoS and DDoS defense. Chapter 8: Legal Issues. (Nontechnical level) This chapter speaks about laws that are applicable to DoS and DDoS, and steps you can take to bring legal action against attackers. Chapter 9: Conclusions. (Nontechnical level) This chapter offers a prognosis for DDoS defense and conclusions, along with useful pointers to Web pages, mailing lists, conferences, and journals that publish DDoS-related information. Appendix A: Glossary. (Technical level) This appendix contains a glossary of technical terms used throughout the book, with detailed explanation and organized as an easy reference. Appendix B: Survey of Commercial Defense Approaches. (Technical level) This appendix offers a survey of several commercial DDoS solutions to inform the reader of design decisions implemented in these solutions, and functionalities that can be found in the market. Appendix C: DDoS Data. (Technical level) This appendix offers a survey of available quantitative studies of the DDoS phenomenon, detailing the frequency and type of observed attacks, how they are performed, and the damages incurred.
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