Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, hit by massive DDoS attack

Security · 06-19-2004, 04:15 PM

Some of the world's most popular internet sites suffered blackouts on Tuesday following a co-ordinated and distributed online attack.

Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and several other major sites faltered as a result of the attack, which started at 10:45 EST on Tuesday and lasted for over two hours. The problems were traced to Akamai, in Massachusetts, US, which provides support to the internet giants though a vast network of distributed servers for all of the sites.

Technical experts said the incident was consistent with an attack on its domain name system (DNS) servers. These servers translate web browser requests for a worded domain name into the numerical information used to route packets of data around the internet.

Akamai confirmed that its servers were affected by "large-scale, international attack on internet infrastructure". But the company suggests the attack was actually directed at a number of its customers, and had a knock-back impact on its distributed servers.

Tidal wave

The incident struck several of Akamai's 1100 customers, including Apple and anti-virus companies Symantec and TrendMicro. Many of the affected web sites are used to provide customers with automatic software updates.

Although Akamai declined to provide details of the attack, its comments suggest it was a distributed denial of service (DDoS) strike. This involves using an army of remote controlled computers to bombard a server with a tidal wave of fake traffic, to make it inaccessible to normal customers.

Hackers take control of these computers using automated software tools or computer viruses to exploit software vulnerable. The trick is particularly difficult to defend against because the traffic appears to be genuine and comes from all sides at once.

Akamai has more than 15,000 machines distributed in 65 countries around the world, forming what the company claims is the largest distributed computing network anywhere.

More: http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995113

prue187 · 12-07-2006, 03:06 PM

I didn't even know that this took place. Although I had some difficulties opening my yahoo account this morning, but I got through it after 15 minutes. I just can't Imagine Big sites like Yahoo, Googles and MSN being down, I would really be frustrated. Good thing they have brilliant programmers and Computer Engineers.

06-19-2004, 04:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Security Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 68	Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, hit by massive DDoS attack Some of the world's most popular internet sites suffered blackouts on Tuesday following a co-ordinated and distributed online attack. Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and several other major sites faltered as a result of the attack, which started at 10:45 EST on Tuesday and lasted for over two hours. The problems were traced to Akamai, in Massachusetts, US, which provides support to the internet giants though a vast network of distributed servers for all of the sites. Technical experts said the incident was consistent with an attack on its domain name system (DNS) servers. These servers translate web browser requests for a worded domain name into the numerical information used to route packets of data around the internet. Akamai confirmed that its servers were affected by "large-scale, international attack on internet infrastructure". But the company suggests the attack was actually directed at a number of its customers, and had a knock-back impact on its distributed servers. Tidal wave The incident struck several of Akamai's 1100 customers, including Apple and anti-virus companies Symantec and TrendMicro. Many of the affected web sites are used to provide customers with automatic software updates. Although Akamai declined to provide details of the attack, its comments suggest it was a distributed denial of service (DDoS) strike. This involves using an army of remote controlled computers to bombard a server with a tidal wave of fake traffic, to make it inaccessible to normal customers. Hackers take control of these computers using automated software tools or computer viruses to exploit software vulnerable. The trick is particularly difficult to defend against because the traffic appears to be genuine and comes from all sides at once. Akamai has more than 15,000 machines distributed in 65 countries around the world, forming what the company claims is the largest distributed computing network anywhere. More: http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995113

12-07-2006, 03:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
prue187 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 33	Re: Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, hit by massive DDoS attack I didn't even know that this took place. Although I had some difficulties opening my yahoo account this morning, but I got through it after 15 minutes. I just can't Imagine Big sites like Yahoo, Googles and MSN being down, I would really be frustrated. Good thing they have brilliant programmers and Computer Engineers.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode


CCTV Technology News & Society