Network Technical Difficulties Caused by Attacks from a Third-party

This is a report regarding the network technical difficulties that occurred on Jun. 16, 2017, Jun. 18, 2017, and are still occurring on Jun. 20, 2017.

We have confirmed that since Jun. 16th, we have been experiencing DDoS attacks* from an anonymous third-party targeting the FINAL FANTASY XIV game servers on the NA data center.

Our technical staff is taking every possible measure to address this issue but the attack is still continuing to take place by changing their methods at every moment. We will continue to monitor and work on recovery from every possible angle.

* What is a DDoS Attack?
An attack attempting to increase the server load to an extensive level by flooding the network of the targeted servers using a massive number of computers.

Due to this attack, our game servers, network equipment and network connection are being hit with heavy load at an extensive level, which is causing a disconnection from the game and login difficulties.

Our technical staff is continuing to work on countermeasures for this issue.

However, with the attack we are currently experiencing, only a massive number of access attempts are being made, so character data and personal information registered to our customers’ accounts are not in danger of being exposed.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing.

We would like to update you regarding the intermittent DDoS attacks by a third party which have been occurring on the North American Data Center.

As previously announced, we have confirmed that since mid-June, a third party has been targeting the FINAL FANTASY XIV game servers on the NA data center.

Until now, we have been implementing defensive measures at our own facilities to combat DDoS attacks against our FINAL FANTASY XIV game servers, and have been able to keep the impact to services at a minimum.

However, since July the attacks have shifted away from the FINAL FANTASY XIV game servers and the target has changed to focus on the upper-tier internet service providers (ISPs) that are required to connect to the data center. These attacks to the upper-tier ISP network are causing lapses in communication to the game servers, giving rise to instant disconnects during logins.

Because we can no longer combat the situation on our own, we have been in contact with the upper-tier ISPs, who have then been taking defensive measures sequentially on their end.

This implementation has already been effective; however, there is the possibility that the attacks could occur again. Therefore, we will seek to strengthen our cooperation with the upper-tier ISPs and continue observing our defenses.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may be causing, and ask for your patience and understanding as we work with the ISPs to provide the maximum defense possible. We thank you for your continued support of FINAL FANTASY XIV.