2checkout extortion plot?

yeesh

[blaze]

"We are experiencing intermittent service outages today with purchases due to a DDOS attack that began on Friday. The attacks appear to be part of an extortion plot. Four engineers are working on the problem in addition to our upstream providers. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working hard to minimize and eliminate it's effect. Thank you for your patience."

[sellers.2checkout.com...]

[andy_boyd]

I had problems logging in to the sellers area late Friday evening GMT but have had no such problems logging in since then, they must be controlling the DDOS with some degree of success. Sales have been processed since it began.

Perhaps the previous attacks on 2CO were also part of a larger extortion plot? Not that long ago the BBC ran a report on online casinos and betting shops being blackmailed, or they would be attacked on big days like the Grand National. I hope that this isn't a sign of things to come.

[Essex_boy]

ANDY:

Yeah I saw an article in the Daily Telegraph about these extortion threats. Not nice but I guess thats the way of teh future.

[andy_boyd]

The sellers area is currently unavailable to me. I've been trying to login since 18:30 GMT.

[Alby]

Yes it is still unavailable, probably the same guys that hit WorldPay not that long ago... :(

[borisbaloney]

The buyers area is down now.

2 clients have emailed me complaining that they can't pay. I hope they stay around.

[Import Export]

You're in for a lot more than this if you plan on using 2CO as your payment solution.

[Essex_boy]

Someone call the Feds! Import exports threatening us!

Betfair were hit yesterday as well it appears that this is quite widespread.

[blaze]

Wish they'd hit paypal, see some sparks fly.

[andy_boyd]

Just arrived in my inbox ...

"2Checkout continues to fight an extortion-based DDOS attack. We apologize for any service interruptions you or your customers may have encountered. Rest assured that our full staff and others are working relentlessly to combat the attack and minimize any effects.

In an effort to better serve you, we set up an alternate resource that may assist you if a service outage occurs. Please check the following url for further details.

[sellers.2checkout.com...]

This one's lasting a long time!

[Essex_boy]

Andy:

Yep and I wouldnt be at all surprised if they went after someone like ebay or amazon next.....

Or are they too big a target? I mean they have money and power to go after these people.

[blaze]

maybe paysystems or worldpay is funding their attack.

sigh.

[blaze]

Apr 16, 2004: DDOS UPDATE
The DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is ongoing, however it is controlled at this time. Rest assured we are monitoring the situation around the clock.

[andy_boyd]

Still having problems logging in @ 20:09 GMT.

Payment went fine on the 16th though ... this is lasting for ages.