Ethical Hacking News
The Internet Archive recently suffered a devastating DDoS attack, leaving users concerned about their personal data. The attack was likely carried out by a modern Mirai variant with packet-spoofing features, using compromised devices from popular consumer electronics brands to launch the assault.
The Internet Archive suffered a devastating DDoS attack on October 9. The attack lasted around three hours and twenty minutes, with traffic reaching five gigabits per second. The attackers used a combination of traditional DDoS tactics and sophisticated techniques, including Mirai variants. Compromised IoT devices were likely used to launch the attack. The incident highlights the need for robust security measures and continued vigilance against emerging threats.
The Internet Archive, a digital library that preserves and provides access to historical content, recently suffered a devastating Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack. The attack, which occurred on October 9, caused the site to go offline for several days, leaving users concerned about the safety of their personal data.
According to Netscout, a network visibility outfit that analyzed the incident, the DDoS attack lasted for approximately three hours and twenty minutes, with around five gigabits per second of traffic directed towards the site. The attack was composed of two main vectors: TCP RST floods and HTTPS application layer attacks. This suggests that the attackers used a combination of traditional DDoS tactics and more sophisticated techniques to overwhelm the site.
Interestingly, Netscout also discovered characteristics and shared open ports indicative of Mirai variants. Mirai is a type of malware that subverts Linux-based devices and turns them into botnets. The fact that the attack was likely carried out by a modern Mirai variant with packet-spoofing features indicates that the attackers had access to advanced tools and knowledge.
Furthermore, the analysis revealed that much of the DDoS traffic involved "a well-known home entertainment and IoT product." This suggests that the attackers used compromised devices from popular consumer electronics brands to launch the attack. The hosts spewing traffic at the Archive were primarily located in Korea, China, and Brazil, which could indicate a coordinated effort by multiple parties.
Despite the efforts of the Internet Archive to bring its services back online safely, some users are concerned about the potential impact on their personal data. As Brewster Kahle, the organization's digital librarian, mentioned, "Still working to bring archive items & other services online safely." The fact that the site is still experiencing issues suggests that the aftermath of the attack may take longer than expected.
The Internet Archive has not yet detailed the incident or any steps taken to harden the site against future heists. While this lack of transparency might be seen as a missed opportunity, it's understandable given the complexity of the attack and the efforts needed to secure the site.
As the Internet Archive continues to work on resolving the issues left by the DDoS attack, users are likely to remain vigilant about their personal data. The incident serves as a reminder that even large organizations like the Internet Archive can fall victim to sophisticated attacks, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and security measures.
In conclusion, the recent DDoS attack on the Internet Archive highlights the importance of robust security measures and the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between attackers and defenders. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it's essential for organizations like the Internet Archive to stay ahead of emerging threats and work towards building more secure systems.
Related Information:
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/10/16/internet_archive_recovery/
Published: Wed Oct 16 10:13:01 2024 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
