Global Atheist Convention under sustained and expensive DDOS attack.

[Ian David]

The Atheist Foundation of Australia and the Global Atheist Convention sites are the apparent target of a sustained and expensive DDOS attack. At last report the attack had been going for 12 hours.

What’s a DDOS attack?

A DDoS is when multiple computers all request information from one computer, flooding it with information and thus denying access to the machine.
Usually this is achieved by a botnet (a network of compromised computers). Botnets are usually run by organised crime and can be rented by unscrupulous sorts to attack a target for as long as you have the money to pay for it.

Who’s behind the attack?

At this stage its uncertain and indeed we may never know. Usually this sort of attack is followed or preceded by an extortion attempt. Though they have also been used by those wanting to make a point or protest – this was recently achieved by a group of Anonymous in targeting Australian Government web servers.

The attack is sustained though(currently at 12 hours) and therefore expensive. It leads me to think that this is not the work of some bored teenagers. It’s looking more like a deliberate attack on a non profit organisation and an attempt to derail what looks to be a very successful convention.

More:
http://seantheblogonaut.com/2009/10/global-atheist-convention-under-sustained-and-expensive-ddos-attack/

Hat-tip to: http://twitter.com/AtheistHitSquad/status/5009901522