DOS Attacks

[rb517]

I think I may be the victim of a DOS Attack.

Signs:

1) suddenly recieving tons of Spam

2) suddenly can't get to certain websites previously able to access,

3) Hardware keeps slowing down, etc.,

How can I tell? What can be done? Can the attack be traced? Can I prosecute?

Please advise.

Thanks

[Skie]

Spam is not an indication of a DoS/DDoS attack. If it was a DDoS attack (and in some cases a DoS attack), then you wouldn't be able to visit any website at all. Your ISP would most likely have noticed this and taken care of it almost immediately. If you still think you're suffering from a DoS/DDoS attack, then please contact your ISP and have them look into it. They can find out for sure if you are under attack.

There has been a recent increase in the amount of spam that's being sent recently. I've seen several people commenting on this. Make sure your spam filtering is up to date if you have any control over it, or ask your email provider to make sure it's up to date.

If you're having trouble accessing certain websites or your computer seems slow, you may have some viruses, spyware or ad-ware on your computer. I suggest that you visit our Security Center [url=http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/[/url] so that we can determine if there's anything running on your computer that shouldn't be.

What can be done? Not too much. Only your ISP can handle/stop an attack like this. Can the attack be traced? Only by your ISP and only if the other ISP's being used in the attack are willing to cooperate. Can you prosecute? You'll have to talk to a lawyer for a real answer. I don't hear about very many lawsuits relating to such attacks. If the person lives in another country, then our laws mean nothing to that country. Again, you'll have to talk to a lawyer, even if he's willing to help you, it'll be an uphill battle to find out who did it and prove that this person actually did it.