DDOS attack

[sagacious]

We got hit by something I don't understand, A DDOS attack. Please explain how it starts and how it is resolved.

[Maltothoris]

This video is probably the best way to explain it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3bEjsv9JFw

Edit: Yes it is mostly memes but it is probably the best way to explain how a ddos works.

[sagacious]

This video is probably the best way to explain it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3bEjsv9JFw

lol, that was funny and is a good way to explain how it starts but ..... how is it resolved and who started it and why? surely not just for laughs and why is it taking more than 6hrs for square to fix it? and I want a eta on it's resolution.

[Ruby_Bloodydusk]

5 hours and counting

[Fyrebrand]

I want a eta on it's resolution.

It's nice to want things.

[Kaurhz]

You don't resolve it -- You only mitigate it.

This video is probably the best way to explain it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3bEjsv9JFw

Edit: Yes it is mostly memes but it is probably the best way to explain how a ddos works.

Unironically this is absolutely the best way to do it.

[IronThistle]

The whole point of a DDOS attack is to deny service or access to those trying to login to the server(s).

The simplest way to stop a DDOS attack is shut the servers down. However, that doesn't tell you anything about how the attack is reaching you and how to prevent it in future. SE needs to know as much as they can about what's happening now, so they can (hopefully) prevent future, similar, attacks -- while they're working to stop the attack and get the servers available to us again.

Asking (or demanding) an ETA on when the attack will be stopped isn't reasonable. We have no idea ourselves where it's coming from or what it'll take to stop it. Or if there's more than one DDOS going on simultaneously. Or many factors that can contribue to the severity of the situation.

I know it's hard to be patient but... that's all we have, at this point.

[sagacious]

The simplest way to stop a DDOS attack is shut the servers down.
I agree, but when you shut the servers down wait 30 mins and start them back up won't you see the DDOS attacker pouring in? and can't you id him then?

[IronThistle]

The simplest way to stop a DDOS attack is shut the servers down.
I agree, but when you shut the servers down wait 30 mins and start them back up won't you see the DDOS attacker pouring in? and can't you id him then?

I did say that the simplest way to stop a DDOS attack is shut down the servers so the attack can't reach them. I'm not a server admin or a hacker, but kinda doubt that simply restarting servers (which would be a huge production for SE given the amount of computers they must have) would then allow anyone to track, find or trace the "DDOS attacker" quickly. The attackers are likely coming from multiple sources, using proxies/VPNs etc., and hiding its/their tracks very very well.

I would think that SE is working more to find their vulnerabilities and plug them up at this point.