I've had enough...Follow

I tend to avoid ranting and try to look at the problem more objectively... DDOS is a something fairly common for quite a long time -- considering I used to be big mIRC user... That is like part of IRC life. As far as I know, the only two ways to manage DDOS:

1) Filter out the origin DDOS attacks (for the network that is being DDOSed.
2) End users keep their operating system patched and cleaned. (Windows Update, Computer security software packages).

It is really hard to filter DDOS because DDOS come from different places during different DDOS events. And a lot is come from home users that do not know their systems that are being comprimised.

A lot of such attacks are from anti-social kids or low level computer "hackers" who want to take revenge on certain company/group or simply to show off.

I wish Nebz is still here to talk about how to deal with DDOS >< I am sure it is system admin's hell. Compromise of computer secruity is nothing really new even to government and large corporate networks... I am a meteorologist, and the network of a leading US national lab for meteorology was disabled for 2-3 months after their network is being compromised... That leads to huge delays in a lot of projects across US. And even myself, I recieve spam everyday from compromised email accounts.

I can understand frustration. If script kiddies do not get their ego boost, or spammers do not get their business, and people patch up their OS, a lot of issues can be avoided. SE and a lot of companies lose millions of dollars in DDOS and spam every year.

Now go get your god darn OS patched, right now! The Internet needs you! (Uncle Sam's finger points at all posters and lurkers of the forums!) This is General L33tInternet order! Move out soldier!

PS: Despite how publicized when a OS patch is needed. It is on news everyday that Microsoft and other computer secruity institutions issues secruity advisories... And people still DO NOT PATCH their OS or do stuff compromises their computers.... Something that seems very easy (running a virus scan, script blocker, or Windows Update) to a lot of us, is actually not that easy to a lot of "Dummies".

DEATH TO THE MONKEY! DEATH TO GA***R! DEATH TO SCRIPT KIDDIES!


Edited, Thu Sep 8 20:57:44 2005 by scchan

May not be a server change, but instead of a game change that causes some players to be displeased (and DDOS SE). May be they change how NM claimed or certain NM drops make certain players not pleased. I would not be surprised there are players who camped certain NMs a lot and sell them, get really pissed when they changed LL or VE, and decide to retaliate....

I do think there are things we people can do to improve or fix the problem. I dislike finger pointing or blame game when something goes wrong. I prefer mending the fence. The end solution of DDOS, spam, spyware, and any computer secruity issues begin in the end users. It is natural to expect OS has "holes", because programmers are humans. So best thing is to accept them, and do things to remove them when "holes" are discovered. And I do believe propaganda for computer secruity is doing good enough, and we end users can do a lot more by keeping PC patched, and do not download garbage like Ga**r or other crap.

I think DDOS attack ports in very simple manner. It is obvious that you cannot close all ports on SE side because that will make their servers not accessible to everyone which defeats the point of being MMORPG server. I bet DDOS attackers picked the port that are used to connect to the game.

Let me tell you about a GM conversation I had long time ago when I GM called when "gil sellers" hold Morion Worm and that attracted a bunch of NA and JP players to watch. It basically goes as this:

Me: These players are holding NM in Korr. Tunnel, and that is causing others unable to claim it, or repop it (fixed timer for ??? after worm death).

GM: Although I agree this is rude, at this time this is not against the TOS, and this is some tactics a lot of other players.
(My add: Wink Wink Sleeping and Marathoning NMs waiting for help, control ToD etc)

Now for those who do not know: Morion Worm will depop itself if not killed for reasonable amount of time, and certain HNMs get stronger with time to counter holding.

Summary: Whenever SE changes the rules or game content against "cheating" (spells as getting around the rules, or avoid being caught), people will try to get around it, or get angry SE.

Solution: Relax and play the game for fun with sportmanship. This is a DARN GAME! Why can't everyone have fun and play fair and with courtousy.

A lot of problems in Internet secruity or MMORPG enjoyment originates from the end users. Yet end users refuse to take act for themselves. Microsoft does not create spam or DDOS scripts, nor SE creates the fishing bots. Small groups of people find an exploit that can be take advantage of... and they do!

Edited, Fri Sep 9 06:19:01 2005 by scchan

Welcome to human nature and behavior.

Best advice to everyone:

Do not use 3rd Party Tools. That is not intended to be part of game. 3rd Party Tools do offer a player an advantage over PS2 players, and also open up the possibility of certain game cheats, and that is why it is considered a bannable if caught.

It also compromises your own PC secruity. Are these tools open source? Do you know it is spyware, script, virus, and hack free?

I was told that job change hack existed for a while, but it had become easily accessible recently, and that is why action is taken.

A lot of people justifies usage of tools based on whether the individual uses to implied possible usage of the tool. This is my take to that justification: The world would be perfect if everyone obey honor system. The problem it is human nature to be greedy. Honor system is ideal, but soon or later someone will break that system, and that is why rules and laws are needed, and rules should be, ideally, unbaised. Rules say: Outside tools that affect game play is against the rules. So no one should complain if they get caught using such tools. You use tools, you get caught, you accept the consquences.

I am refering to the tools Leet was talking about -- map jumping, job change outside mog house, removal of certain monsters from screen, packet sniffer, fishing bots, etc.

Map jumping, removal of certain monsters from screen, and packet sniffers give unfair advantage to players and LSs to claim NMs.

Fishing bots is the true evil if introduction of new gil into game and is probably the most important reason for enhanced inflation of game economy.

Job change outside mog house can refill mp / hp, usage of a job abilities that are normally not accessible, and causes serious flaws to game balance.

Now opens the question: Is Windower right or not? I do not use the Windower, but Windower does offer some advantage to Windows users. And some "hacks" are believed to be connected to the Windower...

I agree there should be someway to check the web without logging out of the game. I think that is mostly a PS2 issue, because that can't be done in PS2.

So SE is posed to a problem: If release an offical windower for PC FFXI, what are we going to do with the PS2 users? There is a web browser for PS2, but that is not part of SE's product line. They can develop a browser for Playonline, but that takes money and manpower. Does it worth to do it or not? I do not know.

Well PS2 isn't built to really surf the web to begin with. When I played on PS2 it was quite easy to have my laptop next to me on my bed while playing FFXI. Now, with my PC actually at a built-in computer desk, there's just really no room for me to use my laptop.

When I played on PS2 I had print-outs EVERYWHERE. LoL. It was really kind of sad.

Well, no problems logging in :D But I keep getting DC'd -_-

I think the development of an offical browser is not as easy as said -- as what should be done with PS2 players? PS2 is not a game console that is originally designed to multi-task nor web usage. If SE releases a windower for PC, that gives a balance issue against PS2 players -- which leaves the majority (mainly older JP players) behind. Developing a browser will also take time -- that may be easy for PC, but again not straightforward for PS2... So it is much more complicated than one would think.

My opinion is : Before Windower exists, people still play FFXI. So Windower should be consider a luxry and not something for granted, and it is something considered against TOS. So better not use it.

Add: Although Windower may be bug/virus/spyware clean, it does not neccessary has to be that case. Using non-open source 3rd party software has its own risk, and the user must be willing to live up to potential consquences -- ranging from being banned from SE to have your computer security compromised.

Amanada gives a truimpant cry to Open Source!
Amanada slaps Spyware, Script Kiddies, and Spammers.

Edited, Wed Sep 14 10:48:28 2005 by scchan

DDOS or not, this does create a bad feeling for us players that pay our fee every month. What would they say if our method of payment had a DDOS attack and we were unable to pay?