DDoS — Distributed Denial of Service — attacks are nothing new, but these days gaming companies are a big target. Late last year, Sony’s PSN suffered a massive DDoS attack that left its networks offline for many days. Microsoft was also attacked, but managed to keep the down time to just a day. EA’s services were also attacked during that time.
According to Microsoft’s Phil Spencer, the three companies are now working on how to improve their networks and keep them stable during attacks. While Nintendo hasn’t been targeted by attackers — not that we know of, of least — the company is meeting with Sony and Microsoft on the issue.
Spencer told GameInformer, “I don’t think it’s great when PSN goes down. […] All it does is put the fear and distrust from any gamer that’s out there, so I look at all of us together as this is our collective opportunity to share what we can about what we’re learning and how things are growing.”
While Sony and Microsoft were scrambling to fend off the attacks, Nintendo’s online services were bypassed by the attackers. The Holiday 2014 attacks against PSN and Xbox Live were done by The Lizard Squad, who have previously shown support for Nintendo.
In the end, The Lizard Squad revealed the real reasons for their attacks against the networks: money. They were promoting their new DDoS service and are now selling it for anyone to use.
While Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony are working to strengthen their networks, the FBI and police forces are working to find the ones responsible. A few months ago, UK police apprehended an 18-year old Lizard Squad member.
