Subject: NIPC: DDOS Warning

From: Robert Cannon <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 09:11:55 -0700 (PDT)

http://www.nipc.gov/warnings/advisories/2001/01-021.htm
ADVISORY 01-021

  "Potential Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
Attacks "   09/17/2001

  The National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC)
expects an increase in Distributed Denial of Service
(DDoS) attacks. NIPC Advisory 01-020, "Increased Cyber
Awareness" dated September 14, 2001 warned of
threatened vigilante hacking activity against
organizations associated with the perceived
perpetrators of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

  On September 12, 2001, a group of hackers named the
Dispatchers claimed they had already begun network
operations against information infrastructure
components such as routers. The Dispatchers stated
they were targeting the communications and finance
infrastructures. They also predicted that they would
be prepared for increased operations on or about
Tuesday, September 18, 2001.

  There is the opportunity for significant collateral
damage to any computer network and telecommunications
infrastructure that does not have current
countermeasures in place. The Dispatchers claim to
have over 1,000 machines under their control for the
attacks. It is likely that the attackers will mask
their operations by using the IP addresses and pirated
systems of uninvolved third parties. 

  System administrators are encouraged to check their
systems for zombie agent software and ensure they
institute best practices such as ingress and egress
filtering. The NIPC has made available the "Find DDoS"
tool to determine if your computer has been infected
by the most common DDoS agents. The tool may be
downloaded from the following website:

http://www.nipc.gov/warnings/advisories/2000/00-055.htm.

  Additionally, a list of best practices is available
from the CERT/CC website, located at:
  http://www.cert.org/security-improvement. 

  Recipients of this advisory are encouraged to report
computer intrusions to their local FBI office
(http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm) or the NIPC,
and to the other appropriate authorities. Incidents
may be reported online at
http://www.nipc.gov/incident/cirr.htm. The NIPC Watch
and Warning Unit can be reached at (202)
323-3204/3205/3206 or [email-masked]. 

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