Jul 26, 2018, 11:26 am
Last edit by: JDiver
FlyerTalk Up, Down, Crash, DDoS, Database Error, etc.
Thursday July 26, 2018, FlyerTalk was under a DDoS / Distributed Denial of Service attack; it seems to be persisting since then. Cloudflare services are keeping the site up, but you may see errors, page call intercepts and delays while the attack is ongoing.
If you are posting content, select all and copy prior to saving or posting to prevent losing your work. Then you can still post it after overcoming the redirect.
For further information on Cloudflare and its workings, see Post #82 by plunet.
FlyerTalk up or down troubles? Check by using: http://isup.me- or http://www.isitdown.us, http://www.doj.me.
Or use this direct link - http://downorisitjustme.com/res.php?url=flyertalk.com
If it is just you, try: reloading the page; emptying your cache; deleting one or more cookies; quitting and restarting your browser or trying an alternate or shutting down and rebooting your device.
Periodic FT issues (crash, Cloudflare, database errors) - DDoS attack, cf wiki
Jul 26, 2018 | 4:31 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,771
Does DDOS threaten any passwords or personal data? I thought it just takes websites down (although I'm definitely no expert).
In any case, if you *are* an expert, you'll surely have different passwords on every single website account you access, so nothing to worry about...
In any case, if you *are* an expert, you'll surely have different passwords on every single website account you access, so nothing to worry about...
Even non-experts can use a password manager to generate and store unique passwords for every site. I use LastPass.
Jul 26, 2018 | 4:48 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,743
The CloudFlare thing doesn't bug me as much as every image and CSS being broken when the page finally does load. Weirdly, however, the breakage only happens on my phone and not on my PC.
Jul 26, 2018 | 5:49 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 8,339
You're certainly right about passwords. Password manager is helpful. I would still like to know if this is only a DDOS attack or something more.
Jul 26, 2018 | 6:18 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Splitting time between small towns in NorCal and Wydaho
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 21,515
at least we are viewed by someone as important enough to get attacked LOL
DL/AA/UA/WN/AS/AF/BA/etc, take notice!
DL/AA/UA/WN/AS/AF/BA/etc, take notice!
Jul 26, 2018 | 6:27 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 8,339
Jul 26, 2018 | 6:51 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Klagetoh
Posts: 24,111
Meanwhile, I am now unable to connect to Flyertalk at all on my older iPad Mini.
Last edited by kale73; Jul 26, 2018 at 8:19 pm Reason: sp
Jul 26, 2018 | 7:13 pm
#52
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 6,095
But the DDoS note explains the Cloudflare message before getting onto FT this morning. Thanks for the update, mods.
Jul 26, 2018 | 7:47 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4me
Posts: 12,069
DDos attacks have been used to extort money from sites. After the attack is started the attackers then send the admins an email offering to stop for a certain number of bitcoins.
Jul 27, 2018 | 5:09 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Silver again, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,493
Jul 27, 2018 | 6:39 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Brighton UK
Programs: BAEC-Silver, AMEX-BA Prem' Plus & Standard, Accor Gold, HH-Silver, IHG,IBIS On Business
Posts: 958
How long does a DDoS attack go on for? Over 24hrs now that I've been getting the cloudflare pop up every time I do anything. Wish i'd thought to come look for this before losing substantial reply posts to it. Hope the IT bods can get it sorted sooner rather than later.
Jul 27, 2018 | 7:53 am
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
Twice today I got a page I've never seen before:
"Checking your browser before accessing flyertalk.com"
"This process may take...."
I've never seen this before and I was using my usual iPadPro with Safari. It happened once on a wifi network that's been giving me trouble today (but which I have used in the past) and now again using my iPhone as a personal hotspot.
What does it mean and what is FT doing to "check" my browser?
"Checking your browser before accessing flyertalk.com"
"This process may take...."
I've never seen this before and I was using my usual iPadPro with Safari. It happened once on a wifi network that's been giving me trouble today (but which I have used in the past) and now again using my iPhone as a personal hotspot.
What does it mean and what is FT doing to "check" my browser?
Jul 27, 2018 | 9:01 am
#60
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, MH Platinum, BA Silver and sinking, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 9,283
The alternative to having to wait a few seconds to get in is that the site is taken down completely for an unspecified and unknown period of time - that's a much bigger disaster. On balance, I would say this is the right and practical approach.