All i read about the Ddos is that it seemed to be big, like nation state big not anonymous big.

Anyone come forward claiming responcibility? Not even ISIS/Daesh?

Solid info suggest the mirai bot net was directly inolved. (Ie the info dyn released themselves) Who controls mirai is a seperate question... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirai_(malware)

Okay to clear up the insane theories running rampant in this thread. This attack used a piece of malware that was released into the darkweb several months back called Mirai. This malware is different from previous malware because once someone opens an infected email/link with it the virus then goes through that persons network and infects smart devices on their network. This includes things like DVR's, thermostats with wifi, camera's and printers with wifi connections, etc. The malware then has those devices use any parts of their processing power that aren't in use to request information from DYN's servers over and over and over again.

The reason this is so genius is because you are not allowed to touch/scan/do anything to DVR's and many smart devices software without coming into violation of your contract with the internet provider or voiding your warranty on these devices. If you're looking to place blame then the creators of all these devices would be a good start for failing to put even basic security protocols on their devices.

But that aside, this was an amazing sophisticated that is far beyond the capabilities of a group like wikileaks. Either a massive group like anonymous (and it might have been beyond them) or a state sponsored attack are the most likely. It's also likely it had nothing to do with politics since the malware was released to the dark web for anyone to use just a month ago. This seems like a skilled group proving just how skilled they are to everyone else by demonstrating how quickly they could infect millions of devices to orchestrate the largest DDOS in history. Whoever did this now has all the "street cred" in the world with the rest of the dark web.

To give a bit more clarity on jmo's last paragraph

It was a state sponsored attack.

This is why cyber security firms are on the rise, with projections of growing from 8 billion to 32 billion dollars of revenue in the next few years.

So what you're saying is that whoever was behind this DDOS attack has a load of marines to back him up?

Thats one explanation. I read a ton of reports linking this attack to the GOP.

@brainbomb, that's extremely unlikely. It would take the resources of the USA Government to pull something like this off. Not just those of a political party, and the amount of resources required would have drawn attention from the (roughly 50%+) of government employees who aren't GOP members. Not to mention that it would be considered High Treason as it impacted various government tied systems too.

There are also reports it was linked back to democrats, which is an equally fabricated piece of bullshit.

@ssorenn, exactly

What if both parties did it? Exactly what no one would expect.

"Thats one explanation. I read a ton of reports linking this attack to the GOP."

And people call me a crazy.

You might be.

You see? No one would expect if brainbomb and ND worked TOGETHER in DDoS'ing Dyn.

"Blame... the creators of all these devices ... for failing to put even basic security protocols on their devices. "

There were basic security protocols, the devices have all their default passwords setup. The problem is users don't know that would need to change the default, and the manufacturers don't generate random passwords for each device (which would be smart) i have seen it stated that Mirai is less effective now than it was a few months ago, as various device manufacturers are releasing software updates which presumable close this vulnerability.

I find the bit about having to open an email (already inside the network) interesting. That suggests firewalls are working as intended. But the other thing is, routers are re-routing traffic (as intended) out of the network when requested (by these compromised devices)

I am unconvinced by the claim that this is state sponsored. That sounds like someone with an agenda trying to rile up fear. If we fear that China or even Russia is capable of something like this, then we must invest billions in security and teams to counter this capability. Of course in theory, it doesn't matter who is doing this. We do need someone to counter it, but pouring billions from the US (defence?) budget into new anti-cyber 'terrorism' programs will require some public support. And blaming Russia or China is still very effective at drumming up public support.

@"goldfinger0303
To give a bit more clarity on jmo's last paragraph

It was a state sponsored attack."

Do you have any evidence? Do you know which state?

And no, i don't think this was the GOP, they couldn't organise a candidate in an election year :p

Yes, and yes, orathaic.

I have friends in the US intelligence services. It was Russia.

Interesting, tha counts as an act of war, right? (Attacks on US infrastructure)

*that counts, even.

Not really orathaic, there has been a invisible cyber war happening for years now. It actually makes for an interesting long read if you start googling state sponsored cyber attacks in recent history.. You can safely assume that any cyber attack that doesn't cause deaths will not be treated as an act of aggression.

But any attack on a country's infrastructure can be construed as an act of war - at least by the older definitions we have from more conventional warfare. If the russia trie to savotage the US interstate high-ways for example...

But i agree Obama has said cyber warfare will result in retaliation in kind. I guess it is like there being different levels of escalation. Nuclear war would be less acceptable (to the publuc) but cyber war more...

Pretty much, a good recent example is when North Korea hacked into various businesses and then their entire country magically lost internet for 3 days (which the US gov gave no comment on). Taking out their internet in retaliation seems more appropriate then nuking them would have.

We got these new Vodka infused Hydrogen bombs to drop on Putin's ass.