Server Problems Today

webmaster · 11-18-2008, 12:36 PM

The server that hosts this site has been experiencing DOS (Denial of Service) attacks since Sunday. The hosting service thought they had it resolved several times but then the attacks resume from other sources.

During these attacks the site is very slow or unreachable. Everything possible is being done to block these attacks. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

tis · 11-18-2008, 05:13 PM

Thank you for letting us know. I have had both problems at different times.

ApS · 11-18-2008, 07:17 PM

After several regular attempts (with only momentary favorable results) I Googled "winnipesaukee, rattlesnake" and got right in!

I don't know why it worked—make sense to anybody?

Happy Gourmand · 11-19-2008, 08:05 AM

HMMMM...using the same link I've used for years now brings me to the EDIT OPTIONS page. I think I recall a similar recent discussion?

tis · 11-19-2008, 08:07 AM

You know Acres, I did the very same thing and got in too. I tried that because I thought it might be my problem. I am glad to know it wasn't.

brk-lnt · 11-19-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

After several regular attempts (with only momentary favorable results) I Googled "winnipesaukee, rattlesnake" and got right in!

I don't know why it worked—make sense to anybody?

Unless you were viewed a Google-cached version of the site, then this would just be dumb luck.

If a hosting center is getting flooded with mis-directed traffic (a summarization of a "DDoS attack"), then it is just random chance what valid connections get through, and what connections get stuck in the traffic jam.

Try to access the site via a bookmark, or a Google referrer page makes no difference, you're still trying to get to the same server on the same path.

I was able to get into the site at random times yesterday by just clicking my bookmark and waiting for the page to load.

jeffk · 11-19-2008, 01:39 PM

When I tried yesterday I got a database error message. I tried a minute later and got through fine. No further trouble since then.

I agree, with this type of attack (DDoS) the behavior can be very random. The hosting service can block one attacker and things are fine until another attacker starts up. The behavior depends on how numerous the attackers are and how quickly the hosting service can respond to new attacks. This type of attack can become VERY nasty.

How you get to the site makes no difference.

Island Girl · 11-19-2008, 08:43 PM

I can get in and have been able to all day today... but DRH who is on metrocast, cannot get into any sites on Don's servers. Is there anyone on Metrocast here?

It is kind of weird!

IG

webmaster · 11-20-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

DRH who is on metrocast, cannot get into any sites on Don's servers. Is there anyone on Metrocast here?

I can see from my stats that many Metrocast customers have been accessing the site throughout this evening.

Don's problem could be related to the DOS attack. I sent an email to him to try to help resolve it.

GWC... · 11-20-2008, 01:49 PM

Speaking of DDos...

Interesting ad…
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=5380

P.S.- Sounds like an inexpensive way for an immature mind to say, "Thanks for the memories..."

ApS · 11-21-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

Unless you were viewed a Google-cached version of the site, then this would just be dumb luck.

I just accessed the site again using the same technique.

Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket!

brk-lnt · 11-23-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

I just accessed the site again using the same technique.

Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket!

Interesting. I've been accessing it just fine by clicking on my bookmark.

If you win the lottery, I'd like a finders fee. If you lose your wager, I'd like to chide you for wasting your money

webmaster · 11-23-2008, 11:17 PM

The DOS problem was resolved by Wednesday (11/19).

11-18-2008, 12:36 PM	#1
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 440 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	Server Problems Today The server that hosts this site has been experiencing DOS (Denial of Service) attacks since Sunday. The hosting service thought they had it resolved several times but then the attacks resume from other sources. During these attacks the site is very slow or unreachable. Everything possible is being done to block these attacks. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

11-18-2008, 07:17 PM	#3
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,788 Thanks: 2,085 Thanked 742 Times in 532 Posts	It's worked in the past, too. After several regular attempts (with only momentary favorable results) I Googled "winnipesaukee, rattlesnake" and got right in! I don't know why it worked—make sense to anybody?

11-19-2008, 08:05 AM	#4
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,025 Thanks: 187 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	Edit options HMMMM...using the same link I've used for years now brings me to the EDIT OPTIONS page. I think I recall a similar recent discussion?

11-19-2008, 08:43 PM	#8
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	Metrocast customers? I can get in and have been able to all day today... but DRH who is on metrocast, cannot get into any sites on Don's servers. Is there anyone on Metrocast here? It is kind of weird! IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

11-20-2008, 01:49 PM	#10
GWC... Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,325 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Speaking of DDos... Interesting ad… http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=5380 P.S.- Sounds like an inexpensive way for an immature mind to say, "Thanks for the memories..." __________________ [Assume funny, clever sig is here. Laugh and reflect... ]

11-18-2008, 05:13 PM	#2
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,408 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	Thank you for letting us know. I have had both problems at different times.

11-19-2008, 08:07 AM	#5
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,408 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	You know Acres, I did the very same thing and got in too. I tried that because I thought it might be my problem. I am glad to know it wasn't.

11-19-2008, 01:39 PM	#7
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,130 Thanks: 201 Thanked 421 Times in 239 Posts	When I tried yesterday I got a database error message. I tried a minute later and got through fine. No further trouble since then. I agree, with this type of attack (DDoS) the behavior can be very random. The hosting service can block one attacker and things are fine until another attacker starts up. The behavior depends on how numerous the attackers are and how quickly the hosting service can respond to new attacks. This type of attack can become VERY nasty. How you get to the site makes no difference.

11-23-2008, 11:17 PM	#13
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,434 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 440 Thanked 3,726 Times in 824 Posts	The DOS problem was resolved by Wednesday (11/19).