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Technical Difficulties Due to Attacks from the Third Party

This is an announcement about PlayOnline network technical difficulties since Apr. 9, 2005. It has come to our attention that recent technical difficulties with our PlayOnline server are due to an organization-wide DDoS attack from an anonymous third party. We have determined that this activity was undertaken with malicious intent and specifically targeted our network. Our technicians are taking every measure possible to prevent further attacks. However, attack methods have varied, which has caused a more time-consuming review of our network protection. Currently we are unable to determine the precise source of attack. However, with the cooperation of ISP companies, our investigation continues to make progress. Law enforcement authorities in Japan, the United States, and Europe have been contacted for support. We chose not to make an announcement of this nature earlier due to the unwanted effect it could have on our investigation, on the investigations of authorities abroad, and for stopping information that could be used to undertake additional network attacks. The most recent server difficulties and PlayOnline service interruption, however, have persuaded us to disclose more information on this matter to our users. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience these attacks have caused in recent days. Attacks continue at this hour in intervals and we regret that our investigation cannot allow for estimates as to when we expect service to return to optimal levels. Our technicians will continue to select the most effective measures available as we work with local and international authorities to take legal action against those obstructing PlayOnline service. We ask for your understanding and cooperation as we strive to maintain the best service possible. Thank you.

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Angry Mob!
# Apr 17 2005 at 2:19 PM Rating: Good
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84 posts
People love their pitchforks here, don't they?

Any number of things could have caused this. 300 accounts were banned, so it has to be them! Chinese and Japanese relations are hitting the *******, it has to be them! Oh, wait, how about Chinese banned gilsellers! Best of both worlds!

Right.

Come on, people, let's not crucify parties that had nothing to do with this. As long as Squeenix fixes the problem, and ensures that it doesn't happen again, I'm fine.
RE: Angry Mob!
# Apr 18 2005 at 1:50 AM Rating: Decent
Scholar
19 posts
I agree here people. It could be anyone. Who is to say it was even anyone that knew of FFXI. The suspect could have come accross the servers randomly, saw how much traffic was going through them, and though to themselves "hmm how much fun would it be to ***** this many people." Try not jumping to conclusions. Juat log back in, and show the hacker that even a few DC's will not stop us from playing games.
____________________________
Ignorance = Uneducated; Teach Them.
Stupidity = Taught, but chooses otherwise; Shoot Them.
China's a bunch of player haters
# Apr 17 2005 at 1:48 PM Rating: Decent
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67 posts
If you actually re-call those events in China where a bunch of chinesse were protesting about Japan's presense and destorying some resteraunts, that would kinda say this was a part of their anger targeted toward Japan. I bet it was an organized effort of data hackers targeting all types of Japanesse servers, including SE's FFXI servers, and maybe a good deal of gil sellers were involed due to thier ability to hack into FFXI and make thier bots work.

Ratmonkey of Cerberus
Gilsellers
# Apr 17 2005 at 7:06 AM Rating: Decent
OMG Kennidy was killed by gil-sellers!!! They got the wrong person.. All of my book in school are wrong then lol JK
Chinese Attacks?
# Apr 16 2005 at 11:12 PM Rating: Decent
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109 posts
I'm wondering if this isn't from the current Chinese - Japanese relations. A few chinese websites have been calling for the hacking or interuption of Japanese internet services.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3139707
Thank God
# Apr 16 2005 at 11:03 PM Rating: Default
*****
12,975 posts
Xiac. The voice of reason. Come on people...They're gilsellers.

Having been in close competition with these people, do you really think they are smart enough to even pull something like this? Get real.

It was probably some bored 15 year old who quit FFXI and was angry at SE for games such as Kingdom Hearts and FFX-2. *Cough* And who can blame them!?
gilsellers
# Apr 16 2005 at 6:14 PM Rating: Good
23 posts
i heard gilsellers are also to blame for the kennedy assasination, the holocaust,Nanking,the chernobyl meltdown and Greenday.

Edited, Sat Apr 16 19:17:48 2005
RE: gilsellers
# Apr 16 2005 at 10:33 PM Rating: Good
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89 posts
You forgot about the Pope's Assination, and Bush being re-elected.
Who's not to say
# Apr 16 2005 at 6:04 PM Rating: Decent
What's not to say it's some banned gil-seller seeking revenge?
RE: Who's not to say
# Apr 18 2005 at 3:21 PM Rating: Decent
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73 posts
that scenario was my very first thought on the whole thing. the politcal motivation angle didn't even cross my mind I just figured that it was vengance upon SE by some of the gil sellers who got canned in the last ban fest. I mean if you think about it from their perspective they see what they do as income getting banned prolly put a dent in that income and when you mess with anyones wallet they tend to get very angry.

Of course its all theory and conjecture and with the way its been handled I doubt if we'll ever find out who did it or why but thats SE's perogative since its really their problem they can handle however they want :P
HL2
# Apr 16 2005 at 5:24 PM Rating: Decent
***
1,049 posts
Hopefully this doesn't escalate like the Half Life 2 incident. It is a different type of hacking, but that doesn't mean the person shouldn't go behind bars for damaging SE's property. (not that I doubt anyone is against the hacker/s going to jail.
RE: HL2
# Apr 16 2005 at 7:04 PM Rating: Good
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476 posts
This is nothing like HL2. Not even close. Hell, its in 2 different books. HL2 was "stolen" source code... FFXI is a DoS attack. You can't even put them next to each other.

It's like putting Easter candy next to Haloween Jack-o-Lanterns. They arent even close....
><!
# Apr 16 2005 at 3:42 PM Rating: Good
*****
12,735 posts
Damn you, EQ!!


Just kidding. Smiley: lol
Virus
# Apr 16 2005 at 3:02 PM Rating: Decent
Another note, I got a virus from logging on to FFXI? is the work of who ever fked the server, or do i have some spyware **** ect...
Gil Haters
# Apr 16 2005 at 2:57 PM Rating: Decent
A note on the gillsellers coment... they need to burn in hell... Wtf has happend to game playing... Its no longer whos the better player... Its the *** wipe with more money to spend...
oops
# Apr 16 2005 at 2:45 PM Rating: Decent
OOPS!!
My bad..
/em plugs in the ffxi servers..
lmao!!
relax ppl just ppl hating on us it will pass.
NM-reset
# Apr 16 2005 at 11:59 AM Rating: Decent
The NM reset almost makes sense. As we all know about NM reset times after a server reboots, etc. Could this be gilfinders DDoS'ing SE to get more NM's? No idea, but on another note, maybe its ex-SE employee's like someone stated above. An ex-employee would have access to IP addresses of the said world servers etc. Even a full blown DDoS network, is of no use, without a target IP. Another avenue would be, that there is a bug, someplace in the server code, or the operating system on which worlds reside. Just my 2cents.
RE: NM-reset
# Apr 16 2005 at 12:51 PM Rating: Decent
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113 posts
you dont have to be an ex-se employee to have access to the server ip addresses. its is not difficult to trace the address of any server that you connect to or are routed from most of this information can be obtained from a simple command executed in the command prompt
The Truth
# Apr 16 2005 at 11:55 AM Rating: Decent
Honesty this is my first post, and im glad to put it on this topic... Now alot of pple say that playing video games is for losers with no time... WRONG Hacking games that other ppl play is for losers with no time...
Anti-Japanese sentiment?
# Apr 16 2005 at 11:19 AM Rating: Decent
Its a little far fetched, but I wonder if this too is a form of anti-japanese portest from the Chinese. A lot of rallies and such has been happening over in China the last couple of days/weeks.
Hackers Shmackers
# Apr 16 2005 at 10:56 AM Rating: Decent
I don't understand these people. Why would you wanna disrupt something that so many people enjoy. /sigh. Freakin' social outcasts. Anyhoo, although I'm never one to root for the cops in most occasions, I'm /cheering the international effort to bag these nerds and send 'em off to prison for a bit. Maybe having their butts whomped by cops 'round the clock and sleeping next to a big inmate for a few years'll straighten them out.
RE: Hackers Shmackers
# Apr 17 2005 at 8:30 PM Rating: Decent
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69 posts
/cheer
RE: Hackers Shmackers
# Apr 16 2005 at 10:28 PM Rating: Decent
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89 posts
one word... "attention"
trying to be cool
# Apr 16 2005 at 10:46 AM Rating: Default
My theory is that it is probably somebody trying to show off to their hacker friends. "Look what I can do":P
All through my high school years, people were always hacking into things just to show off. The more annoying the hack is, or the more damage that is done, the cooler this person becomes in their little group of hacking friends. But the thing is they always leave a signature of sorts behind. To prove that they did this hack.
hack//SE
# Apr 16 2005 at 10:16 AM Rating: Decent
yeah it does sound kind of .hackish

would be interesting to see then spawn dragons in sarutabaruta etc lol ^^

anyway i think the reason they keep shutting down the search and the ah is because there trying to conserve bandwith at certain times so they can focus more bandwith attention doing scans and such like... just a thought ^^

this could be interesting if the attackers do anything interesting, but they have already been found out, so it seems kind of pointless in them still trying.

caff.
RE: hack//SE
# Apr 17 2005 at 4:47 PM Rating: Decent
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548 posts
lol im thinking that would be KICKASS but the thought of hackers makes everyone a bit nervous
even tho im a big fan of the anime and what not this is an actual deal
this is real life MMORPG to see characters get hacked is not fun trust me i have seen it to much on Ragnorok online and UO
hmmm.
# Apr 16 2005 at 7:23 AM Rating: Decent
On the 10th there was a AH and Search Feature maintnence. While the server was going haywire I logged back on and noticed that the AH and Search wasn't working... could there be a connection?

Edited, Sat Apr 16 08:45:43 2005
cool
# Apr 16 2005 at 7:21 AM Rating: Decent
Oh yeah 3 countries involved (well 2 and a continent), 3 of the most powerful countries in the world, these people are going to get fried. I wonder who would be so stupid. Hacking laws in our country are more severe than murder laws in some states.
pol error
# Apr 16 2005 at 6:57 AM Rating: Decent
24 posts
So im guessing this is why i cant play and just getting the POL Error? i hope so because if not, i havent gotta clue why its not letting me on.
I hope they catch them.
# Apr 16 2005 at 6:26 AM Rating: Excellent
19 posts
I hope the person(s) behind these attacks go to prison and get butt raped by a large inmate. It's what they deserve.
RE: I hope they catch them.
# Apr 16 2005 at 10:26 PM Rating: Decent
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89 posts
yeah, and besides who's to say "buttraping" is something they wouldn't like... You never know. For every crime there should be a punishment. Personally I think punishment should fit the crime. If they are big time hackers force them to be un-paid ITs for huge companies that have massive server nightmares all the time. That'll **** them off more, and serve constructive purpose
RE: I hope they catch them.
# Apr 16 2005 at 9:47 AM Rating: Default
ok.... not that i condone hacking, but getting buttraped is a little extreme punishment for ******** up a game ^^ XD have you ever been to prison??????
Er
# Apr 16 2005 at 5:19 AM Rating: Decent
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108 posts
You guys say the strangest things, and come up with the strangest notions...

Maybe aliens did it.

._.;

After all is said and done, whatever the problem is, SE will fix it.

Stop complaining about gilsellers/buyers. We know, they're hated. I don't need to read it every other freaking post. And no, it doesn't make you look any more valiant because you've stated your opinion against it. Nobody will remember your name.

Shush.
RE: Er
# Apr 16 2005 at 10:23 PM Rating: Decent
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89 posts
Well met TaruTok, you're absolutely right. But people need to vent too...Not to say this is always the best place for it. Personally I train a lot, and having a 300lb. bag is a great way to take edge off! If you don't have one of them, get a bat and hit a pillow or something.
You know.....
# Apr 16 2005 at 3:51 AM Rating: Decent
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300 posts
It's interesting that this comes around the time S-E just banned 300 accounts. I wonder if one of those peeps are ticked and decided to go after them for doing what they did........
RE: You know.....
# Apr 16 2005 at 4:01 AM Rating: Decent
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137 posts
I think the people that were banned, knew what they were doing wrong, and expected that sooner or later.
Frankly, I think people who buy gil off of websites for real money are 101% geek. Think about it; paying real life money, that you have earned, on virtual money that will never benefit your life in any way.
What's more, I expect these guys cry themselves to sleep ever since that, and are too geeky to attempt a server massacre.
RE: You know.....
# Apr 16 2005 at 12:31 PM Rating: Good
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734 posts
I know buying gil is wrong, and I personally have no interest in it; however, it is not about who is geek and who isn't. If John Doe spends 40 hrs a week working his *** off and comes home with a nice paycheck, he should be able to reward himself any way he'd like. So what if its spending real money on fake money. Instead of spending money on crack, or dope, or cars, or clothes, or this or that, he spends it on what he likes. It is no different from that guy that gets his paycheck and blows it all on pet supplies, or car parts, etc.

I don't want to attack you, but when people work hard for their money who are you to say how they can and can't spend it?
RE: You know.....
# Apr 16 2005 at 11:23 PM Rating: Decent
No.. the thing he's trying to say is that there are better things to spend money on then gilselling. No one's telling people how to spend thir money, it's just their opinion on the gil buying. Look at it this way, people hate the gilsellers, the real idiots are the ones that buy from them. More likely those are the people to blame. As for this Hack attack, I think it is the gilsellers. I guess they aren't getting their gil fast enough. =P

Edited, Sun Apr 17 00:26:43 2005
RE: You know.....
# Apr 18 2005 at 1:46 AM Rating: Decent
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734 posts
Quote:
No.. the thing he's trying to say is that there are better things to spend money on then gilselling.


Its all about personal interest, sure to you buying gil is a waste of money, maybe you have countless hrs to farm for that Haub, or duel astrals, or whatever. The point is, once again, how can you honestly say that buying gil is a bad way to spend money? Sure, in your best opinion it is, but to so and so its not. Honestly, it all comes down to business, the ONLY reason SE is all butt hurt about gil selling is for one reason, they didn't do it first, and didn't get to it so they can't charge the cheapest prices. Its all about money to them, you think they give a **** if Gil Seller LS is getting serket 90% of the time and selling the ring? Hardly. People buying gil from IGE or wherever means less net income for them, so they do whatever is in their power to stop it.

GIl selling is a lot like Abortion or Gay Rights, in the way that there are two clear views on it; either you agree with it, or not. Well why not look at it from the grey area and say, it doesn't effect me so why put so much energy into it? If you don't buy gil then you are in the clear, you are doing "right" you are spending your money the "right" way. If you are a gil buyer/seller that is ok too, its none of your business. All it does is add some competition, though quite abundant at times, to areas of mass farming.
RE: You know.....
# Apr 16 2005 at 9:09 AM Rating: Decent
27 posts
I make this disclaimer to this post firsthand: No, I do not believe in gilselling, nor have I participated in it, nor will I ever participate in it.

Think about it; paying real life money, that you have earned, on virtual money that will never benefit your life in any way.

You just described paying $12.95 a month too. You're paying real life money, that you have earned, on virtual money (or a virtual world) that will never benefit your life in any way.

Odd how that works, hmm?
RE: You know.....
# Apr 16 2005 at 7:53 AM Rating: Decent
***
2,825 posts
Ironically, people who get banned sometimes do the opposite, they sometimes claim innocence even though they and the whole server knows they wee in the wrong... I seen it happen on a bunch of MMOs XD

Specially when it comes to macros...
RE: You know.....
# Apr 16 2005 at 10:44 AM Rating: Default
not that i condone gil selling or anything, but u make too big a deal that its real life money. would u rather spend a couple hours at dunkin donuts to buy yourself 1 million gil, or spend a couple hours spammin wide scan only to pray you get to claim the nm, only to hope you get the drop. honestly, if people spent more time getting jobs and buying gil, as opposed to farming endless hours in the game, people would make so much more gil. its your time, you can use it how u want to, whether it be make money in real life, or in a game, its the same either way. besides, i dont think there are any hardcore nerds out there spending all their money on ffxi gil while starving to death in real life...
RE: You know.....
# Apr 16 2005 at 1:48 PM Rating: Excellent
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1,049 posts
But also think about it this way. If everyone buys gil and nobody farms, then you are almost forced to buy gil to survive. But even moreso then that... you won't be able to really work on crafting.

If people don't farm for the materials that you use to make a high-level craft, then everything goes out the window.

I understand what you are saying, but you aren't thinking of it in a broader sense.
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