HackForums.net Delete “Server Stress Testing” Section amidst Allegations of Facilitating DDoS Attacks.
HackForums.net, a famous forum for hackers has shut down the Server Stress Testing (SST) section because it is suspected to have offered paid distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on Dyn due to which the huge internet disruption occurred on Friday 21st.
The purpose of this section was to help other websites members enjoy stress testing service to evaluate their resiliency status. But, researchers investigating Friday’s internet shut down in America and Europe claimed that HackForums.net was actually providing DDoS for hire service and through this service, anyone could have launched cyber-attacks.
Also Read: BASHLITE malware turning Linux Based IoT Devices into DDoS botnet
The admin of the site LaBrocca stated that:
“I do need to make sure that we continue to exist and given the recent events I think it’s more important that the section be permanently shut down.” Unfortunately, once again the few ruin it for the many.”
“I am sure this is going to upset some members, but also please many, some of whom aren’t even members,” added LaBrocca.
Since the appearance of Mirai malware, which creates a series of botnets by infecting IoT devices, this particular forum has remained in the news quite continuously. Even in the recent attack on the DNS infrastructure in the US, the main cause was identified to be Mirai malware.
It is yet not clear who was the actual perpetrator of this attack after which dozens of famous websites like NetFlix and Twitter remained inaccessible throughout America and in Europe for almost a day. Given the fact that Mirai malware source code is available online at Hack Forum, the likelihood of the website being involved in the DNS system’s total shut down cannot be overlooked.
Security firms are also stating that new DDoS attacks are now being launched by copycat hackers since the Mirai source code was launched online on Sep 30th and there is a stark rise in cyber-attacks.
Yet LaBrocca believes that:
“The link between the Mirai Botnet and HF (Hack Forums) is inaccurately being reported,” LaBrocca said in an email. Anna-senpai, the user who posted the Mirai source code, has only been a site member for three months and doesn’t represent the entire community.”
The admin also clarified that the use of stress testing tool is subject to legally bonded T&Cs.
“We’re an open online forum which allows discussion and content other sites might not allow. We’re to the freedom of technology information what WikiLeaks is to government and corporate information,” explained LaBrocca.
LaBrocca has however declared that this section will never be revived again even if this issue is subsided.
“I’m personally disappointed that this is the path I have to take in order to protect the community. I loathe having to censor material that could be beneficial to members,” the admin wrote in their forum post.
Also Read: OVH hosting suffers 1Tbps DDoS attack; largest Internet has ever seen
The website can be held responsible for the promotion of DDoS attacks since there is evidence that the website offered seller listings in their Server Stress Testing section for $80 per week. Stay tuned.
Update:
Hackforums has deleted its SST page.
