Update @ 8:00AM PST (8/27): Twitch.tv is up and operational.
Update @ 8:43PM PST (8/26): While Twitch.tv has had moments during the past hour where it seems to be going back online, it has been quickly brought back down by DDoS. Here is the error I’m getting when I visit the website:
I hope the service resumes soon and these hackers are caught.
Update @ 7:06PM PST (8/26): Twitch.tv is back up, but is under heavy stress. You may experience lag as network engineers find a solution for the problem.
Original Story: On Saturday night lasting through Sunday, a hacker group known by the moniker Lizard Squad attacked several of the biggest online gaming services on the planet. The series of events would include a bomb threat that quickly gained the attention of the FBI. It appears Lizard Squad isn’t done yet.
Also See: PSN, Battle.net and EA Origin Are Targets of DDoS
Twitch is the latest target of Lizard Squad. Since an hour ago all of its servers have been down, making it impossible for users to stream or watch live gameplay. Presumably, this is a well-coordinated DDoS attack, and one unlike anything Twitch has ever seen before.
Here are the latest tweets by the hacker group’s Twitter account, which are in chronological order:
Our Lizards are really slackin lately, brb while we fix a problem. Hopefully we’ll see some fireworks in a few hours.
RIP Twitch 😉
Want #twitch back up? Tweet us a picture with “lizard squad” written on your forehead with a sharpie.
@Twitch LIZARD SQUAD ON YA FOREHEAD
Twitch is a source of income, and in some cases the livelihood, for many streamers who share their interest in video games with the world. To them, this is no laughing matter.
Also See: Amazon Has Acquired Twitch for $970 Million
Twitch announced today that it finalized a nearly $1 billion deal with Amazon to be acquired. The move shocked many who read the several reports which stated that Google was the front-runner for the deal. Anti-trust issues would prevent that from ever being solidified. While Lizard Squad has presented its attacks as a form of protest, it’s unclear if it has issue with Twitch and its latest announcement.
The charges are continuing to stack for whoever is behind these internet attacks. If they are caught, and if history tells us anything they should, they are going to face at least five years of prison for Sunday’s bomb threat alone.
You can monitor the status of the Twitch servers live by visiting TwitchStatus.com. or view the DDoS attacks live as they happen on IPViking. The attacks appear to originate from China.
