What is a DDoS Attack on FiveM Servers?
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a server or network by overwhelming it with a flood of traffic from multiple sources. In the case of a FiveM server, this can cause significant downtime, frustration for players, and potential financial losses for server owners. If your server exits/shuts down without a reason, with a “network error” or “server hitch overload”, it could be that your server is being attacked.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to mitigate a DDoS attack on your FiveM server and minimize its impact. In this tutorial, we’ll go over some effective techniques that you can use to protect your server from DDoS attacks.
Step 1: Choose a DDoS Protected Host
One of the most important steps you can take to protect your FiveM server from a DDoS attack is to choose a DDoS protected hosting provider. This means that the hosting provider has implemented measures to detect and mitigate DDoS attacks before they can reach your server.
When selecting a hosting provider, be sure to do your research and choose a provider that has a proven track record of successfully mitigating DDoS attacks. Additionally, look for a provider that offers scalable hosting options, so you can easily upgrade your server resources as needed to handle increased traffic.
Step 2: Implement IP Whitelisting
IP whitelisting is a technique that involves creating a list of trusted IP addresses that are allowed to access your server. This can be an effective way to prevent DDoS attacks by blocking traffic from unknown or suspicious IP addresses.
To implement IP whitelisting on your FiveM server, you’ll need to edit your server configuration file. Locate the “server.cfg” file in your FiveM server directory and add the following lines:
add_ace group.admin command allow # allow all commands add_ace group.admin command.quit deny # prevent server shutdown add_principal identifier.fivem:1 group.admin # add the admin group
Once you’ve added these lines, you can create a list of trusted IP addresses by adding the following line to your “server.cfg” file:
add_ace group.trusted identifier.ip_address_here command.quit allow
Replace “ip_address_here” with the IP address that you want to whitelist. Repeat this step for each trusted IP address.
Also consider to hide your server’s IP address and only share it to your players.
Step 3: Use a Firewall
A firewall is a security tool that can help protect your server from unauthorized access and DDoS attacks. It works by analyzing incoming traffic and blocking any traffic that doesn’t meet predefined security criteria.
To set up a firewall for your FiveM server, you’ll need to use a firewall program such as Windows Firewall or a third-party firewall solution. Consult the documentation for your chosen firewall program for instructions on how to configure it for your server.
Step 4: Enable Cloudflare Protection (Paid)
Cloudflare is a popular content delivery network (CDN) that offers DDoS protection as one of its services. By enabling Cloudflare protection for your FiveM server, you can significantly reduce the risk of a DDoS attack and ensure that your server remains online and accessible to players.
To enable Cloudflare protection for your FiveM server, you’ll need to sign up for a Cloudflare account and add your server’s domain name to your account. Then, follow the instructions provided by Cloudflare to set up the necessary DNS records and configure your server to work with Cloudflare.
Step 5: Monitor Traffic and React Quickly
Even with all of these measures in place, it’s still possible for a DDoS attack to occur. That’s why it’s important to monitor your server’s traffic and react quickly if you notice any signs of an attack.
Use a monitoring tool such as Pingdom or New Relic to keep an eye on your server’s performance and detect any unusual spikes in traffic. If you notice a sudden increase in traffic, check your server logs closely to determine if it’s a DDoS attack, and take action accordingly. However, some DDoS Attacks can’t even be seen on your logs.
One way to react quickly to a DDoS attack is to temporarily shut down your server or switch to a backup server until the attack subsides. This can help prevent damage to your server and ensure that your players are not affected by the attack.
You can also consider working with your hosting provider or DDoS protection service to implement additional measures to mitigate the attack, such as rate limiting or traffic filtering.
It’s important to note that while DDoS attacks can be frustrating and disruptive, there is no foolproof way to completely prevent them from occurring. However, by implementing these steps and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce the risk of a DDoS attack and ensure that your FiveM server remains accessible to your players.
How to find out FiveM Server IP Address
Conclusion
Mitigating a DDoS attack on your FiveM server can be a challenging task, but by following these steps, you can significantly reduce the impact of an attack and protect your server and players. Remember to choose a DDoS protected hosting provider, implement IP whitelisting, use a firewall, enable Cloudflare protection, and monitor your server’s traffic closely to react quickly if an attack occurs.
Stay informed about the latest security threats and best practices for protecting your FiveM server, and don’t hesitate to seek help from experts or your hosting provider if needed. With the right approach and tools, you can keep your server up and running smoothly, even in the face of a DDoS attack.
